The Mekong Region Futures Institute (MERFI) combines participatory planning processes, integrated assessments, and local capacity building to effectively contribute to evidence-based decision making leading to more sustainable natural resource management in the Asia Pacific region.

This non-for-profit initiative exists since 2008 as an Australia-funded research for development program, which was then made independent in 2015. The Institute was established in Bangkok and Vientiane by Dr Alex Smajgl and Dr John Ward, formerly senior research scientists with the Australian Government’s science agency, the CSIRO.

MERFI’s core activities include: the social, economic and ecological analysis of development investments; testing conflict resolution institutions and governance options by applying complex system tools and improved cross-sectoral coordination; the assessment of climate change and adaptation options in the context of development priorities and transboundary water-food-energy related trade-offs; livelihood and wellbeing surveys and analysis; the design and facilitation of participatory processes to promote systems learning among decision making agencies; and the development of license free data and analytical tools.