CUSO-VSO Lao PDR Strategy Lao People s Democratic Republic. CUSO-VSO Lao PDR Strategy

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1 Lao People s Democratic Republic

2 Foreword Welcome to the CUSO-VSO strategy for Lao People s Democratic Republic, CUSO-VSO is VSO international s representative organisation in Lao People s Democratic Republic (PDR). VSO is a leading, independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty. We believe that change happens because people make it happen. Providing food, infrastructure and machinery is important, but people are the key to overcoming poverty. That s why we work through volunteers. Drawn from many countries and all walks of life, they give their time, their expertise and their passion. Volunteers share their skills within carefully selected partner organisations, ranging from grassroots groups to government ministries. It s a powerful, cost effective way to create lasting results. Together we work to improve poor people s access to quality essential services, information and ideas that link them to the wider world. The VSO network helps poor and marginalised people understand their rights and empowers them to participate as equal, fully-valued members of their society. This strategy builds on CUSO-VSO s work in Lao PDR since It is the result of extensive consultation with VSO staff, volunteers, partners, community members and other key stakeholders. Contents Foreword 2 What we do 3 How we do it 3 CUSO-VSO in Lao PDR 4 Country facts 4 Who we work for 5 Our focus 5 Partnership: the way we work 6 Volunteering for sustainable development 7 Our impact 7 Photography VSO/Georgia Catt and Evangeline Esguerra VSO 2

3 What we do How we do it CUSO-VSO s aim is to improve the lives of poor and marginalised communities in Lao PDR, with a particular emphasis on supporting vulnerable women, youth, ethnic minorities and rural communities, while also addressing challenges to the long-term development of Lao PDR. Our work focuses on increasing the resilience of poor, rural communities by improving access to food and opportunities to earn a sustainable living. We are also supporting the development of civil society in Lao PDR to enable local non-profit associations, or NPAs (the equivalent of NGOs in Lao PDR), to work together with government and other organisations to address the needs of poor communities and contribute to long-term development. We work hand-in-hand with local partners, ranging from community organisations to government departments to tackle the causes of poverty. Our strength is in our ability to work in long-term collaboration with our partners to understand local needs and priorities and support our partners to be able to make a bigger impact. To bring about positive change for poor communities, our staff and volunteers work with local partner organisations and focus on four key areas: Improving poor people s access to food and livelihoods Promoting the development and implementation of policies to support poor people Ensuring the participation of marginalised groups, including ethnic women and youth, in the development of their own communities Building the organisational capacity of our partners and local organisations to make a bigger impact on poverty 3

4 CUSO-VSO in Lao PDR Lao People s Democratic Republic is a landlocked, mountainous country in Southeast Asia, unique for its ethnic and environmental diversity. The majority of its population lives in rural, often remote, areas. In recent years, Lao PDR has embarked on a path of economic liberalisation. This has attracted substantial foreign investment resulting in impressive economic growth that has been amongst the fastest in Southeast Asia. Despite rapid economic growth and the significant improvements in human development that have followed, Lao PDR is still one of the world s least developed countries. Over a quarter of its population lives below the poverty line, and this figure is considerably higher in remote areas. Growth has been uneven and the country faces many challenges related to inequalities between regions, ethnicities and gender. Food shortages and poor nutrition are a major concern. In rural areas, every second child is malnourished, many of them from ethnic minorities. The majority of the population depends on agriculture and natural resources for their survival and yet farming conditions are often unfavourable and productivity is low. The depletion of natural resources and resettlement of communities due to foreign land concessions, coupled with the impacts of climate change, leave many households extremely vulnerable. CUSO-VSO has been working in partnership with the Government of Lao PDR since The focus of our work has been on sustainable agriculture, nutrition and access to food, together with natural resource management. We have successfully implemented a number of sustainable agriculture programmes over the past ten years, including the Sustainable Integrated Agriculture and Forestry Project and the Farmer to Farmer Training Programme in Salavan and Sekong Provinces, which have helped to improve food and income security for many rural communities. CUSO-VSO has also played a key role in the development of emerging civil society in Lao PDR, supporting a number of local non-profit associations, such as the Sustainable Agriculture and Environment Development Association (SAEDA), Gender and Development Group (GDG) and Huam Jai Asasamak (HJA), working on issues of sustainable agriculture, women s empowerment and national volunteering. Our efforts also bring about closer working between government and community based organisations, improving the reach and quality of services to marginalised groups. CUSO-VSO achieves this more effectively than other development actors due to our network of volunteers, working at local and national level, who connect organisations and stimulate collaboration. Myanmar Vietnam Country facts Population 6.3 million Northern Region Louangphabang Vien ane Central Region Thakhèk Gulf of Tonkin Official language Lao Human Development Index (HDI) 0.524, ranked 138 of 187 Gross Domestic Product (per capita) $1,050 Below poverty line 26% (2010) Savannakhét Thailand Southern Region Pakxé 120km Cambodia 4

5 Who we work for Our focus Our work supports poor and marginalised communities among both non-tai Lao ethnic minorities and Tai Lao ethnic groups. Non-Tai Lao ethnic minorities make up 32% of the total population, and over half live in poverty. Tai Lao ethnic groups account for 68% of the population and although many live in better off districts, almost one third are living in poverty. Within these groups, we will focus in particular on vulnerable and disadvantaged women and youth. The effect of our work with these groups, and the associated benefits to members of their households, will improve conditions for vulnerable children within these targeted families. Our strategy will aim to support more than 22,000 poor and marginalised people in 90 villages in Lao PDR. We will work primarily in the five most southern provinces of Salavan, Sekong, Savanakhet, Champasak and Attapeu. We also have strategic partnerships in Vientiane and Xayabury province. CUSO-VSO s strategy for Lao PDR has two main aims: 1. To improve the income, food sufficiency and climate resilience of 90 marginalised communities through adapted livelihoods activities. 2. To support the development of a vibrant civil society in Lao PDR that can effectively represent and provide quality services to poor and disadvantaged communities. Improving food sufficiency and income Lao PDR is rich in natural resources and this has attracted significant foreign investment in mining, hydropower and agriculture. Although this trend is contributing to economic growth, it also puts pressure on natural resources and often results in dramatic changes in land use and the re-location of communities. With the large majority of rural Lao people depending on natural resources for their food and income, such changes can have a major impact on their livelihoods and ability to feed their families. Climate change and the related impacts of extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts and typhoons, further exacerbate these issues. CUSO-VSO is helping poor families in rural communities to develop greater resilience to climate change and improve their income, nutrition and food sufficiency. Working with government and other local partners, we are training and supporting community members to diversify their income sources, including both agricultural (crops and livestock) and non-agricultural activities (such as crafts for the tourist market). We are supporting farmers to improve their resilience to the effects of climate change through adapted agricultural practices, including the introduction of improved crop varieties and the use of new effective methods and low-cost technologies. Our work will aim to enable poor farmers to earn a better and more reliable income through participation in markets, including the growing tourism market. In collaboration with national networks and over 30 local organisations, we are also working to promote the sustainable use and of management of natural resources in Lao PDR. Key activities: Training and support to partners to be more effective in working with communities for income generation and sustainable change. Technical training for partners in integrated (crops and livestock) sustainable agriculture through low-cost forms of production and good agricultural practices. Establishing community-based climate change adaptation strategies, including agricultural savings programmes. Undertaking market analyses for alternative, non-agricultural products and services for income generation. Technical training and support for target communities in household farm business management. Facilitating collaboration between actors in agricultural value chains (producers, associations, traders, consumer groups, private sector) and service providers. Collaborating with national networks and local organisations to better include communities in the development of polices related to income, food security and sustainable use of natural resources. 5

6 Developing civil society to fight poverty Lao PDR has one of the weakest civil societies in the world. There are few role models and local non-profit associations (NPAs) tend to be small and limited in capacity and resources. In recent years, however, the Government of Lao has begun to acknowledge the important role that civil society can play in poverty reduction, putting in place systems to allow the legal registration of non-profit associations. This is a significant development and offers a great opportunity for the people of Lao to play a bigger role in the development of their country. An NPA network of local organsiations, Learning House for Development (LHD), has recently been established, and the international NGO network is also undergoing notable development. There is much to be done however, and CUSO- VSO has an important role in supporting the development of civil society. CUSO-VSO envisages a vibrant civil society in Lao PDR, where local non-profit associations and networks are working together effectively and complementing the work of government to address the needs of vulnerable groups, including ethnic minorities and poor women. Building on our work in supporting an emerging civil society, we will continue to build the capacity of local non-profit organisations to be more effective in working with communities and promote better joint working between government and civil society organisations. Through this, we will help to demonstrate the value of civil society in Lao PDR, whilst also representing the voices of citizens and the need for fair and sustainable development. We will provide opportunities for ethnic youth and young women to develop new skills and actively engage in the development of their communities, supporting internships with local organisations and providing opportunities for young people to implement local development projects. This will help to create a network of youth volunteers and young leaders who have the skills to reach out to other young people and represent the needs of their communities, simultaneously promoting a culture of volunteerism in Lao PDR. Partnership: the way we work Partnership is a key feature of how VSO works. We recognise that we are one part of a process that involves many diverse players. We therefore focus on the thematic and geographic areas where our model can most add value, and build strong partnerships with government, civil society and the private sector to deliver impact. CUSO-VSO works with partners at all levels in Lao PDR, from government bodies to non-profit associations. Working with grassroots organisations allows us to reach the most marginalised groups, while working with government, national and international networks enables us to have a wider impact, bringing together different stakeholders and influencing policy making that benefits poor people. We work in a consultative, inclusive and respectful way with our partners, encouraging feedback and ongoing learning. Rigorous monitoring and evaluation enables beneficiaries, partners, volunteers and programme staff to assess the impact of our work. We also support exchange visits between partners to build on successes and increase opportunities for learning and sharing of local experience and best practice. Key activities: Training and support to local non-profit associations, coordinated with other actors in Lao PDR, to provide improved services to poor and disadvantaged groups. Facilitating collaboration between networks and government to improve reach to poor and disadvantaged groups. Creating opportunities and increasing skills and knowledge in sustainable development for Lao youth through internships with both national and international development organisations. Providing opportunities for rural youth to lead in the development of their communities through small community-driven projects. Facilitating the creation of a youth network to promote volunteerism and share experiences, learning and knowledge nationally and internationally. Collaborating with national networks and local organisations to include community voices in the development and implementation of polices. 6

7 Volunteering for sustainable development Our imapct Primarily, CUSO-VSO Laos implements its programmes through the use of long-term (two years) and short-term (three to six month) international volunteer professionals, recruited from around the world. CUSO-VSO s use of volunteer professionals allows us to provide technical support and capacity building to partners on a dedicated, long-term basis. This provision of day-to-day coaching and mentoring is a key strength of CUSO- VSO, and has proven a significant advantage for working with government at provincial and district level. Our volunteers bring expertise from a variety of professional backgrounds and disciplines, including business management and consultancy, agriculture, public sector and NGO management. CUSO-VSO also supports national volunteering, providing opportunities for ethnic youth and young women to develop their skills and contribute to the development of their own communities through internships and community development projects, working in partnership with a local non-profit association, Huam Jai Asasamak. CUSO-VSO s strategy for Lao PDR is ambitious, but practical and focused. We will work to bring about tangible improvements in the lives of poor and marginalised people in 90 identified communities in Lao PDR. Our strategy also fosters positive change in government policy and collaborative working between state and non-state actors to ensure better services for poor communities and long-term sustainable development. Through this strategy we will help to build thriving and more resilient rural communities. Working closely with a range of partners, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, we will support agriculture and forestry training and education (known as agriculture extension services) to improve income and food security for rural communities, disadvantaged women and ethnic minorities. Our work will increase the ability of our partners to provide relevant, market-orientated services to communities that are effective and responsive to the changing environment in Lao PDR. We expect to see sustainable change where poor and marginalised people have the ability to manage improved, climate-resilient agricultural practices, home gardens and income generating projects, with minimum external support. This will be seen through improvements in food sufficiency and nutrition for families, increased household income and the ability of communities to better cope with economic and environmental shocks. Through our work, community members, especially ethnic youth and women, will be actively participating in the development of their communities and have a stronger voice in decisions that affect them through participation in community forums and networks. Community volunteers will have increased skills to be able to lead development projects that respond to local community needs and will also help to promote a culture of volunteerism in Lao PDR, acting as role models and mentors for future generations. Civil society and government partners will have increased capacity and will be working together collaboratively to share learning, develop poverty reduction strategies and provide services that reach out to and effectively address the needs and priorities of poor and marginalised communities for sustainable development in Lao PDR. CUSO-VSO believes that by bringing people together we can fight poverty in Lao People s Democratic Republic. 7

8 CUSO-VSO Lao PDR Unit 15 House No. 291 Saphangmor Village PO Box 3517 Vientiane Lao PDR T F VSO International 100 London Road Kingston Upon Thames Surrey KT2 6QJ UK +44 (0) Published May 2013