Through the USAID Clean Air project, FHI 360 collaborated with and supported governments, communities, and the private sector to develop practical and sustainable solutions to air pollution. We strengthened air quality management by integrating policy development, scientific research, and public engagement. The project also aimed to improve public health by addressing air pollution, which is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and can impact reproductive health.

The project worked to help local and national governments incorporate air quality considerations into urban planning, health policies, and climate strategies. By providing technical support and facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration, we helped link air pollution control with broader public health and environmental objectives. This included embedding air quality into municipal plans and budgets, supporting emission reduction strategies, and strengthening regulatory frameworks. Three municipalities formally integrated clean air messaging into health services, and 15,000 households received air pollution awareness information through trained Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs).

Through citizen science initiatives, local communities were equipped with low-cost air sensors, enabling real-time air pollution monitoring. Public awareness efforts included 10 health camps benefiting 1,554 people, and public-school programs orienting 200 students on air pollution’s health impacts.

The project also collaborated with the private sector to promote cleaner, more sustainable practices, including vehicular emissions testing, sustainable waste management solutions and cleaner technologies for brick kilns.  

FHI 360 partnered with Sajha Yatayat, Nepal’s public transportation system, to reintroduce electric Safa tempos, three-wheeled public transport vehicles that had been grounded during COVID-19. This effort not only reduced vehicular emissions but also supported green job creation, particularly for women from under-resourced communities. We developed a driver training program, enabling women to obtain licenses and secure employment, and established a revolving fund to ensure ongoing support.

Through these efforts, air pollution has been increasingly recognized as a public health and development priority, with strengthened policy frameworks, government capacity, and community-led solutions.

Addressing air pollution requires a multifaceted approach that combines policy advocacy, community engagement, and cross-sector collaboration. In Thailand, FHI 360 has been actively involved in initiatives that drive systemic change, working alongside citizen-driven movements like the Bangkok Breath Council (Breathe Bangkok) and key environmental stakeholders to support policy solutions for cleaner air. This Council also aims to improve public health by addressing air pollution, which is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and can impact reproductive health.

A major focus of this work has been policy advocacy, particularly in supporting Thailand’s first citizen-led Clean Air Bill, which has been submitted to Parliament for deliberation. By contributing technical expertise and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue, we help bridge the gap between scientific evidence, public engagement, and legislative action to improve air quality and mitigate climate change.  

Recognizing the urgency of on-the-ground action, the Council has also contributed to resource mobilization efforts, including fundraising for essential equipment and insurance for wildfire volunteers, helping protect those on the front lines of air pollution mitigation. We also collaborate with Thailand’s leading environmental funds to enhance resource mobilization and maximize impact. Our approach focuses on aligning the objectives of these funds, creating synergies that enable more strategic and coordinated investments in environmental initiatives. By streamlining efforts and fostering collaboration, we work to ensure that resources are directed toward scalable and high-impact solutions. This initiative also seeks to improve accessibility for civil society organizations (CSOs) and local communities, making it easier for them to obtain funding and drive meaningful environmental action at the community level.

The lessons learned from this work have informed broader climate policy discussions, including Thailand’s first Climate Change Act, ensuring that air pollution is recognized as a critical environmental and public health challenge. By addressing air pollution, clean air initiatives help reduce the risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and other pollution-related health issues, ultimately improving overall public health and quality of life.