Project Overview

ItemEnglish
Official Name (English)Project to Promote Community-Based Elderly Care Using Local Resources through Municipal Networks with Opportunities for International Learning Exchange in Thailand
Official Name (Japanese)タイ国自治体ネットワークによる地域資源活用型高齢者ケアモデル普及と国境を越えた学び合いプロジェクト
Official Name (Thai)โครงการส่งเสริมการดูแลผู้สูงอายุโดยชุมชนผ่านเครือข่ายและทรัพยากรขององค์กรปกครองส่วนท้องถิ่นและการสร้างโอกาสการแลกเปลี่ยนเรียนรู้ระดับนานาชาติในประเทศไทย
Also Known AsSMART & STRONG Project
Project SchemeJICA Partnership Prorgram
Implementing AgencyJapan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Managing Organization (Japan)Yugawara Town, Kanagawa Prefecture
Management Supporting Organizations (Japan)NGO Nogezaka Glocal and others
Managing Organizations (Thailand)39 municipalities participating in the municipal network (as of April 2026)
Counterpart MunicipalityBueng Yitho Municipality, Pathum Thani Province
Management Supporting Organizations (Thailand)Thammasat University, Chulalongkorn University, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and others
Project PeriodMarch 2026 – February 2029

Project Goal

To establish and strengthen the operational framework of the municipal network so that sustainable elderly care models utilizing local resources — including local residents, paid and unpaid volunteers, businesses, and public facilities — can be developed, documented through manuals and guidelines, and implemented and utilized across member municipalities of the network.

Target Areas

Approximately 39 municipalities across Thailand, selected with consideration for diversity in geographical region, size, religion, and local industries.

Beneficiaries

  • Direct: Staff members and practitioners within the Thai municipal network.
  • Indirect: Residents of municipalities participating in the network (approximately 800,000 residents across 39 municipalities)

Expected Outputs

  1. Technical knowledge necessary for implementing community-based elderly care models utilizing local resources — including dementia care, oral health care, and nutrition support — will be acquired in key municipalities and disseminated nationwide through the municipal network
  2. A sustainable system for mutual learning and exchange on elderly care between Yugawara Town and municipalities in Thailand, across various levels and formats, will be established and implemented
  3. A sustainable operational structure for Thailand’s municipal network will be established and strengthened, enabling continuous inter-municipal learning and locally driven activities based on shared knowledge and experiences

Main Activities

  1. Provision of technical guidance tailored to diverse local needs and specialized care demands
  2. Establishment of a sustainable learning and exchange system between municipalities in Japan — including Yugawara Town — and municipalities in Thailand
  3. Support for establishing systems that enable municipalities within Thailand to learn from one another through continuous inter-municipal collaboration

Website & Social Media