Support to GRET bamboo initiative: “Strengthening the bamboo and rattan sectors in Lao PDR”
01.07.2017
- 30.04.2021
Maintaining high biodiversity in agro-ecosystems contributes to poverty reduction in rural livelihoods. Better knowledge, tools and institutional arrangements are needed to support poverty alleviation and preserve biodiversity. Considering the current development context in Lao PDR, GRET supports the conservation and sustainable economic use of bamboo and rattan, aiming at improving the livelihood of upland farmers and enhancing the policy environment.
Strengthening Research for Agriculture Policy Development
15.06.2017
- 31.12.2020
In 2012, a Policy Think Tank (PTT) was established under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, with the vision of helping guiding the country towards economic prosperity and poverty alleviation. The PTT has established a core team, carried out several studies and generated interest amongst stakeholders involved in the agricultural sector policy improvement. Now, the PTT structure and mandate need to be strengthened and adapted to answer to the changes that the country is facing.
Progetto concluso
SUPIC – Support to the Parliament in Cambodia
01.05.2017
- 31.03.2021
The Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia (PIC) supports parliaments in Cambodia and in the wider region to build capacities towards effective democratic institutions and promoting accountability. The Swiss contribution to the PIC will support democratic development processes as a key element for sustainable poverty reduction, and peace and stability in the country and in the region.
Progetto concluso
The Agro-Biodiversity Initiative (TABI)
01.04.2017
- 30.09.2020
Maintaining high biodiversity in agro-ecosystems contributes to poverty reduction in rural livelihood. Better knowledge, tools and institutional arrangements are needed to support poverty alleviation and preserve biodiversity. Considering the current development context in Lao PDR, TABI supports the conservation and sustainable economic use of agro-biodiversity (ABD) in multifunctional landscapes, aiming at improving the livelihood of uplands farmers.
Progetto concluso
Support to the Reform of the Agriculture and Forestry Colleges in Lao PDR (SURAFCO)
01.03.2017
- 31.05.2021
Based on the government’s strategy, SURAFCO Phase III supports quality teaching in all five Agriculture and Forestry Colleges of Laos: college management, needs-based infrastructure, teaching equipment, knowledge sharing and exchanges. This is a key contribution to implement the Reform Strategy towards 2020 in order to increase the number of qualified agricultural and extension workers who can fulfil the need to move from subsistence-based to a market-based agriculture.
Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF III), Phase 4
01.10.2016
- 30.06.2022
Since 2002, the Poverty Reduction Fund is a main programme in Lao PDR that effectively and efficiently delivers resources and public services, such as water supply, dispensaries, schools and village roads to the poorest villages in remote areas. PRF contributes to reduce rural poverty through enabling poor communities to assess their own needs and priorities through participatory mechanism and to determine how best to use resources to maximize their social and economic development.
Progetto concluso
Mekong River Commission (MRC) – Strategic Plan 2016-2020
01.06.2016
- 31.12.2020
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has been supporting the Mekong River Commission (MRC) since the signing in 1995 of the “Agreement on Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin (a.k.a. “1995 Mekong Agreement”) by the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam until 2005. In 2011, SDC reinstated its support and contributed to 3 of MRC’s Programmes, namely the Basin Development Planning, the Environment, and the Flood Mitigation and Management Programmes. Currently, SDC supports the MRC with a contribution of CHF 7.5 million to a multi-donor basket fund for implementing the new Strategic Plan 2016-2020.
Citizen Engagement for Good Governance, Accountability and the Rule of Law (CEGGA)
01.06.2016
- 31.03.2022
In Lao PDR, the space for citizens’ involvement in public affairs is a challenge, as the overall environment for the civil society is strongly controlled and not conducive. While the National Assembly (NA) is assuming a more assertive oversight and representative role, it still faces many constraints to function as an effective representative body. The new CEGGA Programme will provide more opportunities for Lao CSOs to engage in the country development processes, and to collaborate with the NA in bringing local experience, lessons learned and citizen’s voice to the NA. It will also strengthen the NA’s autonomous role, contributing to a greater formal division of power, and to engage more systematically with non-state actors as part of its deliberations on draft legislation.
PROMISE: Poverty Reduction through Safe Migration, Skills Development and Enhanced Job Placement
01.11.2015
- 31.08.2021
Migration to Thailand has increasingly become a poverty reduction strategy for marginalized households. It gives a higher income to the individual and, through remittances supports their community of origin. However migrants are often exposed to precarious labour conditions. PROMISE promotes skills development and safe migration and improves thus the livelihoods of the migrants in Thailand and their communities of origin in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
Progetto concluso
Enhancing Nutrition of Upland Farming Families (ENUFF)
15.06.2015
- 30.06.2020
In Lao PDR, chronic malnutrition is a pressing issue affecting social and economic growth. Stunting prevalence is amongst the highest in the world, affecting an estimated 44% of children under five years of age, and exceeding 60% among children from upland ethnic communities. ENUFF project will contribute to the implementation of the national Multisectoral Food and Nutrition Security Action Plan (MSFNSAP), where various aspects like nutrition-sensitive farming, health, hygiene and care practices will be converged, leading to behaviour changes and an improved nutritional status in particular of women and children.
Progetto concluso
Support to the transition phase of the Institut de la Francophonie pour la Médecine tropicale in Lao PDR (single phase)
01.03.2015
- 31.12.2017
One of the major difficulties to improve health and well-being of the populations in the Mekong sub-region comes from the shortage of well-trained health sector’s human resources to contribute to the reduction of health inequalities amongst subgroups of the population (incl. gender, ethnic groups). The project aims at maintaining the IFMT training activities while preparing the transformation into a sub-regional Centre of Excellence for the health and well-being of populations living in tropical zones.
SKILLS FOR TOURISM / Lao 029
01.12.2014
- 31.12.2021
In Laos, tourism is the sector with the highest potential to create jobs for the poor. Switzerland and Luxembourg join hands to allow 5’000 youth (by 2020) to acquire the skills needed to work in hotels and restaurants, at least 50% of them women, and 50% from poor families. Dual Cooperative Training (apprenticeships) will provide for work place orientation of skills and facilitate an easy transition of trainees into gainful employment, with salaries that move their families above the 2 US$/day international poverty line.