This is a case study of the transition of CARE USA’s Thailand office into a local entity named Raks Thai Foundation (RTF) in 1997, which six years later was re-incorporated as a member of the CARE confederation. While “indigenization” was the term originally used to communicate the drive behind this approach, today the word “transformation” is the term most commonly used by the global organization.

This case was produced using qualitative methods through a series of semi-structured interviews and focus group conversations. CARE staff, RTF staff, RTF government partners, donors, and community beneficiaries all contributed to discussions. External experts with knowledge of the country’s civil society context were also interviewed. In total, 26 semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted. Four focus groups were held in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Mae Chaem, with 15 beneficiaries, two RTF staff, and one government partner participating in focus group discussions. In total, 46 individuals participated in conversations with the research team.

TYPE OF TRANSITION

The indigenization of the Raks Thai Foundation/CARE Thailand is an example of a transition from a global to a national entity, as well as an example of a reverse transition, whereby the Foundation re-incorporated as a member of the CARE confederation in 2003, giving the group equal status to other CARE members.

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