University to Tambon (U2T) program and sustainable community development during COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand

Abstract

The Thai government created proactive policies designed to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic while it developed durable interventions after the crisis ended. One such intervention, the U2T program ('University to Tambon") used universities to partner with communities to create lasting changes in areas such as sustainable community development. Using Participatory Action Research (PAR) and Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), one case study is presented that addresses income insecurity among community elders. Qualitative data was collected through participant observation, interviews of participants (N = 36) and focus group members (N = 30) and augmented by needs assessments and asset mapping. The income generating activities for the elderly germinated from using PAR and ABCD. Themes that emerge from the data involve buttressing bridging capital in the Tambons and developing linking capital to expand and create new networks outside the community. The results suggest that universities can facilitate community development via PAR and ABCD.