On 25 August 2026, Khon Kaen University (KKU), represented by the Enterprise and Societal Sustainability Division acting on behalf of the President, attended the opening ceremony of the Creative Tourism Promotion Project Exhibition and Public Relations event. During the visit, the delegation also participated in the mobile meeting of the Khon Kaen Provincial Civil State Policy Coordination and Driving Committee (คสป.), chaired by Mr. Yutthaporn Piroonsarn, Vice Governor of Khon Kaen Province. The joint initiative sought to strengthen grassroots economic development and enhance community self-reliance across Khon Kaen Province.
The meeting reviewed progress and summarised outcomes for Fiscal Year 2026 under the Grassroots Economic Development Project, driven by multi-sector network partners. This framework serves as a mechanism that integrates public sector agencies, academic institutions, private enterprises, local entrepreneurs, and civil society to build community potential and generate tangible economic opportunities.
Within this framework, these efforts included generating income through safe food enterprises, developing provincial safe agriculture networks, and advancing business capabilities for local producer groups and agricultural networks. The programme focused on empowering these groups to transition into competitive community enterprises able to add value to local products, expanding commercial market channels, and securing continuous revenue streams for local residents.
Concurrently, the promotion of creative tourism took centre stage as a core engine for grassroots progress. By drawing on local cultural capital, traditional wisdom, regional identity, and natural resources, the project transforms local assets into high-value economic activities and products. The initiative emphasises community participation in co-designing authentic travel experiences, ensuring that income is distributed equitably and economic benefits reach the wider community.
KKU’s active involvement in the programme underscores its institutional mission as a “University of Social Creativity and Development.” By applying academic knowledge, research outputs, and innovations, KKU collaborates closely with provincial partners to solve local challenges and improve quality of life. The university serves as a strategic bridge that transfers knowledge into real-world application, ranging from safe food systems and value-added product development, to capacity-building for community entrepreneurs, and the transformation of cultural capital into a vibrant creative economy.
Together, the collaboration among Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province, and network partners creates a dynamic ecosystem linking “Knowledge–Community–Entrepreneurs–Markets.” This synergy strengthens local economic foundations, creates employment opportunities, and elevates living standards, laying the groundwork for resilient, long-term community development.
Beyond its immediate impact, this initiative also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by promoting local livelihoods and entrepreneurship; SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, by advancing safe agricultural systems and responsible food production. It also reflects SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by building multi-stakeholder collaboration among academia, government, business, and local communities to drive sustainable regional growth.
