In several South-east Asian countries, after a long history of marginalisation and loss of control over natural resources, indigenous peoples and local communities have recently been trying to regain rights over local resources and establishing various forms of community-based resource management. The paper provides information on the status and trends of community conserved areas (CCAs) in the region and examines some of the main challenges to overcome in order to achieve recognition and support of CCAs. While there is no fully reliable data on the exact number or the total area covered by community conserved areas (CCAs), there are indications of hundreds or even thousands of community forests in Thailand, more than 500 community-based coastal resources management (CBCRM) initiatives in the Philippines, and a large number of community forests in the highlands, as well as a growing number in Indonesia and Cambodia. The wide variety of CCAs are of three categories: (i) based on traditional and customary beliefs and practices; (ii) externally motivated (NGOs, Government agencies, donor agencies); and (iii) a combination of these two. The authors conclude that during the past two decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of community-based projects in biodiversity management. Some of the most critical issues that still need to be tackled are the unequal power relations in ownership of, and access to, natural resources, and the recognition of indigenous peoples and local communities’ rights, and their traditional knowledge and customary use. A much more active approach is needed in order to respond to indigenous peoples and local communities’ efforts, initiatives and demands as well as to fulfil governments’ obligations under international law.