Strategic Issues:

1. Support urban and rural housing development and land dispute resolution.

• Community Land Planning

o In order to involve communities in land rights dispute resolution, CODI has trained community members to use GIS technology to survey land. Community members collect data about how many people reside in the area and how long they have been there. Residents present this data to the relevant government agencies and negotiate a resolution together.

o Results

- 600 land dispute projects

• Collective Housing

o Launched in 2003, the Collective Housing Program puts slum dwellers at the center of the development process by allowing them to plan and manage solutions to their housing problems. CODI channels government funds in the form of infrastructure subsidies and soft loans directly to the poor communities. Communities then purchase land or negotiate long-term leases and upgrade the housing stock as necessary.

o Results

- Collective Housing Program reaches 270 cities and 1500 urban poor communities
- CODI has work with 86,000 families

2. Achieve financial self-sufficiency.

• Community welfare fund

o Communities set up a welfare fund to take care of community members in need and prevent loan defaults. Community members contribute1 Baht per day, and the government matches this contribution. They can withdraw funds in the case of birth, death, illness, natural disaster, etc.

o Results
- 3,100 welfare funds set up in urban and rural areas
- CODI plans to add another 2000 in the next year

• Micro-credit

o CODI offers government-subsidized loans to communities for housing development, land purchases, environmental projects and small businesses. The interest ranges from 4% to 6%.

o Results
- 657 community organizations have received micro-credit loans totaling $147 million (USD).

• Capacity building for savings groups

o CODI assists community members in forming savings groups to accumulate the capital necessary for land and housing projects, as well as long term projects.

o Results

- Nationwide there are approximately 50,000 savings groups, including 20,000,000 people and $760 million (USD) in assets.

3. Strengthen community organizations councils to tackle development problems on the city or sub-district level.

• Community Organizations Council

o The Community Organization Council comprise of all community organization in a sub-district or municipality. Representatives from each community organization meet regularly to discuss local problems and develop policy recommendations for the local government.

o Results

- 1586 community councils in place

• Community Master Plan

o Through surveys and group discussions, community members create a Master Plan that addresses issues on a sub-district level. The Community Master Plan is an important tool for developing sustainable solutions, outlining a long-term strategy, and articulating intentions to local and national leaders.

4. Increase capacity of community networks and create links between relevant stakeholders.

• Accreditation program

o CODI is responsible for developing standards for the accreditation of community organizations. When community organizations receive accreditation, they are legally recognized and can more easily participate in the development process.

o Results

- 70,000 community organizations have been accredited
- CODI estimates that there are over 250,000 community organizations in Thailand

• Good Governance Project

o CODI teaches good governance principals to community organizations, ranging from transparency to financial management.

• Community Learning and Information Centers

o In order to document and implement best practices from past projects, CODI organizes learning and information centers. Successful community organizations teach about their experiences and lessons learned.

o Results

- 500 learning centers
-120 community information centers

• Community Media

o In order to share information, community networks have instituted radio broadcasts and websites.

• NGO Grants

o CODI provides grants to NGOs that work in the field of community development and the environment.

o Results

- CODI granted $1.2 million (USD) to NGOs in 2009

5. Policy advocacy based on community experiences and knowledge.

• Knowledge Management

o CODI and community members research the progress and impact of projects. By documenting lessons learned, the information can be used as a resource for other communities and to teach policy makers about community based approaches.

• Democratization of the Policy Process

o Through workshops, rallies and public events, CODI encourages community members to develop and advocate for pro-poor policies.

• Educate Policy Makers

o Through publicity events, dialogue and rallies, CODI educates politicians and bureaucrats about the issues affecting communities and how government can contribute to solutions.