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LuxDev, Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency

• 2024
• • 25 October
  • By Nicolas TASCH
  • 
  • LAO/338
  • Socio-economic development
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  LAOS - Village Development Planning: a success story led by the Local Development Programme

  The Village Development Planning (VDP) process, supported by the Local Development Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and LuxDev has proven to be a catalyst for positive change across Laos. This initiative, designed to empower local communities and address their specific needs, has yielded significant results in the partner provinces of Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane, benefitting a total of 172,000 people.

  A community-driven approach

  

  Over the last couple of months, the Local Development Programme has been focussing on village development planning, a process which puts community participation at the centre of decision-making. Villagers from all four partner provinces and 226 target villages actively engaged in the process, reflecting on their current socioeconomic situation and prioritising activities for implementation. This bottom-up approach ensures that the development initiatives are truly aligned with the needs and aspirations of the local people.

  Building on past successes

  The current VDP exercise is notably successful partly due to its ability to build on the experiences of previous development programmes implemented by MPI and LuxDev. In Bokeo Province for example, 41 villages involved in the previous phase of the Local Development Programme, continue to participate in the new one, leveraging their previous experiences to accelerate the VDP process. Similar synergies are observed in Vientiane, Khammouane and Bolikhamxay.

  Prioritising local needs

  This activity was carried out jointly by the staff of our partners from the provincial Departments of Planning and Investment and the District Planning Offices. The field team held community workshops in each target village, in which people proposed activities to be implemented with the Village Development Fund that is provided by the programme. Following plenary and group discussions, the attendance was assembled and prioritised the most relevant activities by voting. 

  The VDP process identified a wide range of development priorities across the four provinces. In Bokeo alone, 53 villages identified over 918 activities, divided into several categories. Among the most pressing needs were access to clean water and improved water supply infrastructure, followed by education, health, and agricultural development, as well as microfinance schemes. These priorities were identified in all four provinces and therefore reflect the critical importance of these basic resources for the health and well-being of local communities.

  Rapid progress and community empowerment

  

  In Bokeo, VDP have already been endorsed in all 53 villages, while in Vientiane, Bolikhamxay, and Khammouane, the adoption of the VDP is also almost completed. This rapid advancement across all target districts of the Local Development Programme is a testament to the efficiency of the process and the strong commitment of both the local communities and the local counterparts (Departments of Planning and Investment, the District Planning Offices and LuxDev) implementing partners.

  Empowering villages with resources and training

  To facilitate the implementation of the activities identified by communities, the Departments of Planning and Investment will next transfer agreed budgets to village bank accounts and provide management training to Village Development Committee members. To support the technical implementation of identified priorities, training will also be organised to cover a variety of topics, including areas like health, animal husbandry, good agricultural practices, etc. This empowers villages to take ownership of their development initiatives and ensure effective utilisation of resources.

  A bright future for Laos

  

  The success of the VDP process in Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane provinces bodes well for the future of Laos. By prioritising local needs, fostering community participation, and providing the necessary resources, the Local Development Programme is laying solid foundations for sustainable development. As the identified activities are implemented, we can expect to see significant improvements in the lives of the people throughout the four partner provinces.

  The VDP process in Laos is a shining example of how effective community-driven development can be. By empowering local communities and addressing their specific needs, this initiative is helping to create a brighter future for the country.

  The Local Development Programme is co-financed by the Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

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• • 2 April
  • By Anaïs LOGIER
  • 
  • LAO/336 LAO/338
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment Socio-economic development
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  LAOS - Beekeeping study tour in Xiengkhouang Province A continued journey to empower beekeepers from Bokeo

  A recent study tour organised by the Skills for Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry (STAF) Programme, together with the Local Development Programme, to Xiengkhouang Province opened up opportunities for enhancing beekeeping practices in partner villages in Bokeo Province. Study tour participants, including beekeepers, trainers from two beekeeping training centres, representatives of Provincial and District Agriculture and Forestry Offices, and representatives of the Ministry of Education and Sports’ Department of Non-Formal Education, embarked on an enriching journey to promote knowledge exchange and skills development.

  

  From 2017 to 2019, there was a notable surge in honey production and sales in Bokeo Province. To bolster this thriving livelihood activity, the Local Development Programme in its previous phase, supported skills development and equipment for existing and new beekeepers in the province, thereby enhancing their beekeeping practices[1]. The STAF Programme is now working with the Local Development Programme to ensure that local beekeepers have access to the necessary resources and expertise to help overcome market fluctuations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and forge a resilient path forward for local honey production.

  

  Traveling via Vientiane Capital, participants from Bokeo Province flew to Xiengkhouang Province. This was particularly exciting for some beekeepers who had never left their province or been on a plane before. Upon arrival in Phonsavan, the group had a brief opportunity to delve into the cultural heritage of the province by visiting the renowned UNESCO world heritage Plain of Jars a spectacular and mysterious site with some 460 jars of unknown origin, carved in stone, which probably served as funerary urns thousands of years ago.

  

  The following two days were dedicated to experience sharing and valuable learning opportunities on beekeeping practices. Participants visited beekeepers in Phosy Village, Phek District, where they learned about new techniques applied by local beekeepers, observed the use of different materials and equipment and engaged in insightful discussions about honey production and the challenges it faces, including climate change. Villagers from Phosy Village also showcased beekeeping-derived products such as candles, soaps and lipsticks, and organised a small tasting of local honey. All participants then enjoyed a delicious traditional lunch prepared by the villagers before heading to Phon Village, where further honey-making practices were explored, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved.

  

  The following morning, the group visited a beekeeping processing centre in Peak District, providing them with a great opportunity to gain deeper insights into honey processing and marketing practices.

  A highlight of the trip was the visit to Phonxay Village, where beekeepers demonstrated their use of horizontal log hives and highlighted their benefits. This interactive session facilitated, once again, constructive discussions and knowledge-sharing among participants from Bokeo and from Xiengkhouang.

  

  The study tour provided an ideal platform for listening sessions, interactive demonstrations, and in-depth discussions on various facets of beekeeping, including processing techniques, necessary equipment and effective marketing strategies. One of the key takeaways was the emphasis on both technical skills and the recognition of the social and economic development potential of beekeeping initiatives at the village, district, and provincial levels.

  Participant feedback underlines the study tour’s resounding success, with many eager to apply newly learned techniques and strategies in their own communities.

  Mr. Somdy Sayyatour, from Phienghut Village, Pha Odom District, Bokeo Province, lauded the study tour for its exposure to innovative practices and expressed eagerness to share his learnings with fellow farmers. “I’m so pleased I got the chance to be a part of this trip” he explained. “In my village, we’ve been practicing beekeeping for a short time and we use local traditional methods. Thanks to this tour, I’ve learnt new ones such as the use of wax to catch bees in the hives. I look forward to sharing the knowledge I gained with the other beekeepers in my village.” This trip was a great opportunity for Mr. Somdy to improve his beekeeping skills, while exploring another region of Lao PDR. He concluded, “it was nice to meet new people from other provinces and share local experiences. Overall, I had a lot of fun”.

  

  Ms. Phetsamone Manivong also shared her satisfaction regarding the study tour, which marked her first field trip in her new position as technical staff of the Livestock Section at the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office, Bokeo. She was very impressed with the local knowledge and skills demonstrated by the beekeepers in Xiengkhouang. “I can clearly see a difference between farmers in both provinces. Here, they are much more creative and advanced in terms of techniques. In Bokeo, we have much less means and resources”. Ms. Phetsamone commended the initiative for its tangible impact and pledged continued support for implementing new techniques in Bokeo Province.

  

  One week after the beekeeping study tour, the STAF and Local Development Programmes supported the Bokeo Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office to organise a workshop to review lessons learned and develop training plans for beekeepers for the upcoming year. These plans address both technical and marketing skills needs of Bokeo beekeepers. It is expected that these efforts will help revive honey production business in Bokeo Province post-COVID-19 pandemic.

  The Skills for Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry Programme is co-financed by the Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland and the European Union, and implemented by the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

  The Local Development Programme is co-financed by the Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

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• 2023
• • 20 December
  • By Anaïs LOGIER
  • 
  • LAO/336 LAO/338
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment Socio-economic development
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  LAOS - Cooperating for the provision of Non-Formal Vocational Skills Development in Agriculture and Forestry

  On 13 and 14 December 2023, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) Department of Non-Formal Education (DNFE), together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Department of Agricultural Extension and Cooperatives (DAEC), supported by Skills for Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry (STAF) Programme (LAO/336), held a workshop to identify opportunities for inter-departmental cooperation for the provision of non-formal and informal agriculture and forestry vocational skills development (VSD). 

  The workshop was chaired by Mr Nouphanh Outsa, Director-General, MoES Department of Technical and Vocational Education, and co-chaired by Mr Sengaloun Boutsady, Deputy Director-General, MoES DNFE and Dr Phanxay Ingxay, Deputy Director-General, MAF DAEC. Workshop participants included representatives of provincial non-formal education centres, as well as provincial agriculture and forestry offices.

  

  The workshop had two objectives: 

  • to introduce the agriculture and forestry components of the STAF Programme to public non-formal and informal VSD providers in Lao PDR;
  • and to establish a foundation for cooperation in non-formal and informal VSD delivery.

  Following presentations of the STAF Programme (and the Local Development Programme (LAO/338) with which the STAF Programme collaborates), a discussion panel comprising Mr Nouphanh Outsa, Mr Sengaloun Boutsady, Dr Phanxay Ingxay, and Mr Phetsamon Thanasack, Deputy Director-General, MAF Department of Organisation and Personnel, delved into the specific roles, responsibilities, and challenges encountered by different departments and ministries in delivering non-formal and informal VSD in agriculture and forestry. The afternoon session saw participants divided into three groups to discuss their 2024 activity plans for non-formal and informal agriculture and forestry VSD.

  On the second day, participants were grouped by provinces (Bokeo, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Khammouane and Bolikhamxay) to discuss and encourage potential synergies among stakeholders within each province to execute activity plans.

  

  During the workshop, a noticeable convergence emerged in the 2024 workplans of the DNFE and DAEC (and their provincial representatives) further underlining the importance of coordination mechanisms and ongoing dialogue to prevent duplication of effort and optimisation of benefits for people in rural communities. With a shared commitment to coordination and dialogue, the MoES and the MAF are confident that joint efforts will be undertaken, maximising the impact of non-formal and informal VSD in the agriculture and forestry sectors in Lao PDR. 

  

  The LAO/336 - Skills for Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry Programme is co-financed by Laos, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland and the European Union, and implemented by the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

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• • 10 October
  • By Nicolas TASCH
  • 
  • https://luxdev.lu/en/news/rof/lux LAO/338
  • Socio-economic development
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  LAOS - Governments of Lao PDR, Luxembourg and Switzerland to launch new phase of Local Development Programme

  Representing the Governments of Lao PDR, Luxembourg and Switzerland, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Luxembourg Embassy in Laos and the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation respectively convened the Programme Steering Committee Meeting to officially close the “Local Development Programme for Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane province” (LAO/030) and launch a new phase.

  The new LAO/338 programme is co-funded by the Governments of Lao PDR, Luxembourg and Switzerland with a generous grant of EUR 33 million, and implemented by LuxDev and the ministry of Planning and Investment. It aims to foster inclusive development in 226 target villages across 17 districts from 2023 to 2027.

  From left to right: Thomas LAMMAR, Chargé d'Affaires, Luxembourg Embassy; Phonevanh OUTHAVONG, Vice Minister, Ministry of Planning and Investment; Jean-Gabriel DUSS, Regional Director of Cooperation, SDC

  The Programme Steering Committee Meeting was chaired by the Vice-Minister of Planning and Investment, Mrs. Phonevanh OUTHAVONG, and co-chaired by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Luxembourg Embassy to Lao PDR, Mr. Thomas LAMMAR, and SDC Regional Director of Cooperation, Mr. Jean-Gabriel DUSS. More than 70 representatives from central, provincial and district government officials, as well as development partner organisations also participated in the meeting.

  The Programme Steering Committee Meeting reviewed the successful predecessor of LAO/338, LAO/030, which was implemented between 2016 and 2022 with a total funding of EUR 32.4 million and benefiting approximatively 150.000 people. The final evaluation concluded that, despite challenges encountered during the implementation period, particularly the spread of COVID-19, the project has been very successful. Key achievements included 3.588 community projects implemented through village development funds, the establishment of 46 community-owned credit schemes that enabled job creation and increased production capacity, construction and renovation of 396 schools, water supply systems and other local infrastructure, as well as training and awareness campaigns in 90 villages and capacity building for central and provincial-level government officials.

  The programme focus

  The new five-year programme, from 2023 to 2027, focuses on three main areas of support:

  1. the creation of socio-economic opportunities for sustainable livelihood;
  2. access to improved and more resilient public services; and
  3. access to improved and more resilient village-level services.

  Its objective is to further enhance the livelihoods of people in rural communities by strengthening their capacity to manage natural resources, enhance agricultural productivity, and develop income-generating activities. The Local Development Programme is expected to benefit over 172.000 people through village development funds and over 750.000 people through local infrastructure investments.

  

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