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The NETWORK for Sustainable Development Association: A Legacy of Business & Social Impact Collaboration

For over two decades (2007–2025), The NETWORK for Sustainable Development Association has been at the forefront of fostering collaboration between businesses, NGOs, and communities to advance sustainable development in Thailand. With a mission to integrate economic, social, and environmental dimensions, the NETWORK has evolved through distinct phases—each contributing to a more resilient and harmonious society.

2007–2010: Laying the Foundation for Corporate Citizenship

In its early years, the NETWORK focused on promoting responsible business practices, particularly through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Creating Shared Value (CSV). It established a clearinghouse for CSR knowledge, facilitated discussions on triple bottom line principles, and published three seminal books on corporate citizenship:

• Corporate Volunteering Handbook (2008)
• Landscape of CSR in Thailand funded by UNDP (2009)
• Ethical Corporate Leadership (2010)
• Strategic CSR Handbook (2011)

During this period, over 30 knowledge-sharing seminars were held across Thailand and Asia, equipping businesses with tools to integrate sustainability into their operations.

2010–2019: Building Livable & Happy Cities with partnerships

The NETWORK expanded its efforts by translating sustainability knowledge into action, launching the “Livable & Happiness City” initiative in five provinces; namely, Songkhla, Phitsanulok, Pathum Thani, Chonburi and Bangkok

This initiative was designed to empower local leaders to identify and preserve their social and environmental assets while strengthening multi-stakeholder partnerships. Supported by businesses in each region, the program laid the groundwork for long-term sustainability strategies at the community level.

2020–2024: Driving Circular Economy & Urban Resilience

From 2020-2024, The NETWORK conducted three participatory action researches on 1) Turning food waste to Greenovative City, 2) Developing Circular Urban Farming Business, and 3) In Search of Green Businesses from the Material Recovery and Upcycle Platform (MA-RE-UP). From these three participatory action researches, the results were developed into two publications; namely, “Circular Urban Farming Business Journey”, documenting its pioneering work and “Green Entrepreneurs in the MA-RE-UP Platform” documenting the green business opportunities in circulating waste from landfilling.

In response to growing environmental and social challenges, the NETWORK has shifted its focus to systemic change, particularly in food waste management, circular economy models, and urban resilience. Key initiatives include:

• Developing a social business model that repurposes food waste into valuable resources.
• Promoting Circular Urban Farming, integrating sustainable food systems into urban development.
• Supporting the Bangkok Urban Resilience 2030 Initiative, which envisions a more climate-adaptive and self-sufficient city.

Our Testimony:
Turning Food Waste to Value: A Pioneering Social Enterprise

In 2020, the NETWORK partnered with Center One Shopping Plaza and received funding from the National Innovation Agency (NIA) under the Greenovative Cities program to develop the project “Turning Food Waste to Value.” This project led to the 2^nd runner up award by NIA on social innovation of a new social business model on food waste management called “Circular Urban Farming”, which applies circular economy principles to repurpose food waste and maximize the use of urban rooftops and small spaces for edible green spaces. As part of this initiative, the NETWORK incubated and legally registered Bangkok Rooftop Farming Social Enterprise (BRF SE) in 2021, co-founded by seven young entrepreneurs.

Future Urban Cities:  Driving Circular Economy & Urban Resilience

In response to growing environmental and social challenges, the NETWORK has shifted its focus to systemic change, particularly in food waste management, circular economy models, and urban resilience. Key initiatives include:

• Developing a social business model that repurposes food waste into valuable resources.
• Promoting Circular Urban Farming, integrating sustainable food systems into urban development.
• Supporting the Bangkok Urban Resilience 2030 Initiative, which envisions a more climate-adaptive and self-sufficient city.

Since then, BRF SE has expanded its operations, developing five circular rooftop farms on hotels, department stores, and school buildings. With an ambitious goal, BRF SE aims to scale up to 20 acres of circular urban farming across 120+ buildings in Bangkok, setting a precedent for urban sustainability.

The NETWORK’s work underscores the belief that “Circular Urban Farming is more than just growing food—it’s about regenerating nature, reconnecting communities, and creating a resilient urban food system for the future.”

Looking Ahead: Scaling Social Business for a Sustainable Future

As the world faces increasing environmental and social challenges, the NETWORK remains committed to incubating innovative social business models that drive sustainability. By fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration, the NETWORK envisions a future where businesses, communities, and policymakers work together to create a harmonized and resilient world