This five year project was initiated in 1991 by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation to increase NGO's role in rural development by training concerned personnel. Research and Development Institute (RDI) of Khon Kaen University has been conducting the master's degree program in rural development management and SPF provided scholarships for students from developing countries until 1992. In 1993 when SPAF was established in the Foundation, this project was taken over by the SPAF as scholarship beneficiaries are all from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

So far 43 scholarships have been granted including 14 Vietnamese, 10 for Laotians and 11 for Cambodians. In July 1995, altogether seven scholarship beneficiaries were selected for this fiscal year's program. The 14 month program commenced in November 1995.

The SPAF together with the RDI is planning to launch an alumni seminar on current rural development issues in this region in December 1996 in Khon Kaen upon completion of this five year project.