The project was in response to the rising poverty, particularly in the rural areas of Southeast Asia. It aimed to mobilize SEAMEO alumni and government extension workers as members of a Development Service Team (DST). The team would act as catalyst by providing expertise and services to community-oriented projects.

The project was funded by the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). It was piloted from January 1985 to December 1989 in rural villages of four countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailan