Participation of Village and Community in Capacity Development via Government Policy

Abstract

     The objectives of this research were to examine 1) participatory process of village and community in capacity development via government policy in the upper central area and 2) support measures for village and community capacity development. One hundred fifty people in five pilot provinces from the upper central area: Chai Nat province, Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri and Lop Buri were interviewed and observed. Data were collected during November 2004 to February 2005 and analyzed mainly by qualitative analysis and supported by descriptive statistics. The study revealed that participatory process of village and community consisted of five steps: 1) sharing the opinion, 2) making decision, 3) implementing the project, 4) sharing benefits, and 5) participating in self-assessment while the government acts as mentor. The project constraint is the limited time since the project must be operated in the time frame of the fiscal year. If the government really wants to support the village and community development, the time frame should be expanded in order to give all stakeholders of village and community enough time to brainstorm and to participate in the project. Development via government policy stimulated participation of community members in thinking, solving problem and developing their community. Moreover, continuous learning process and sense of belongings of the people in the village and community are extremely needed in order to build up village and community capacity.