| Project Detail |
The Lao Peoples Democratic Republic has experienced rapid macroeconomic growth over the last decade with an increase in gross domestic product between 7 and 8.5 per cent per annum, stimulated to a large extent by investments in hydroelectric projects , mining and urban construction. The Lao government has also invested heavily in expanding the road network, rural electrification and irrigation systems in high-potential lowland areas. At the same time, official poverty rates declined significantly and private sector construction and other household investments accelerated in urban areas. However, economic development has mainly benefited urban and lowland populations, while progress has been much slower in upland and upland areas and mountain areas where people are falling behind the lowland populations in terms of income, education, health, nutrition and others. social indicators. This is partly related to physical isolation, difficult terrain and low agricultural potential, but also to the limited service capacity of government institutions, weak political and social capital of most hilly and highlands which are mostly minority ethnic groups. In addition, resource competition, restocking, environmental degradation and land use regulations have undermined agricultural productivity,
The "Local Development Program for the Provinces of Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane - LAO / 030" was designed to help reduce poverty in the most disadvantaged hill and highland areas of the four target provinces. The program will also contribute to strengthening local governance, decentralization and political dialogue for the development of hilly and highland areas.
The general objectives are based on three objectives of the National Plan for Socio-Economic Development (PNDSE) 2016-2020 which are of particular interest for the challenge of the development of hilly and highland areas, namely: (i) the levels poverty in the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic will be reduced; (ii) hunger and malnutrition will be reduced; and (iii) sustainable management of the environment will be ensured through better land governance. These three general objectives will serve as general areas of thematic guidance to guide practical investments, approaches, capacity building, strategy formulation and policy dialogue of the LAO / 030 program.
To help the Lao government achieve these goals, the specific objective of LAO / 030 is that the target villages of Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane provinces will have improved their standard of living and will be above the poverty line by the end of the program. The results related to the general and specific objectives will be monitored in accordance with the Lao governments NPDSE 2016-2020 monitoring and evaluation (M & E) framework and will be examined in greater depth in relation to the Indicative Cooperation Program. (PIC) IV Lao-Luxembourg and the Joint Program of the European Union (PCUE) for 2016-2020.
The specific objective will be pursued through three main interventions: strengthening governance and capacity development, community development work and socio-economic infrastructure development. Direct interventions targeting villages will account for more than 70% of the budget to help achieve poverty reduction goals. To facilitate work at the village level and to help institutionalize change, about 20% of the budget will be allocated to the governance component, while direct program management, assurance and quality coordination will require around 10% of the budget. % from the budget.
The duration of the program is five years, from December 2016, with a budget of EUR 14 650 000 plus approximately EUR 3 100 000 from an ongoing project in the province of Khammouane. The Lao Government will provide in-kind contributions by participating organizations through national staff, facilities, and ongoing government interventions related to the program. In addition, communities will contribute local manpower and materials within agreed limits.
The main beneficiaries will be about 140,000 people in about 200 target villages selected according to the prevailing high poverty rates. Due to the demographic situation, most of the target population will be formed by minority ethnic groups. Given that womens socio-economic status and opportunities are generally much lower than mens, special efforts will be made for women of all ages to benefit from the program - both through the integration of women and men. in general interventions only through special activities for women. The other beneficiaries will be the general population of the target districts and provinces who will benefit from better government and governance services,
Each province, district and target village will carry out their respective roles in accordance with the Lao governments decentralization policy ("Sam Sang"). Most of the interventions will be delivered through delegation agreements which will allow the executing parties to assume full responsibility and accountability for implementation and use the regulations and procedures of the Lao government. Implementation will be supported and coordinated by four Provincial Support Offices and a Central Program Coordination Office staffed by Lao government staff, local experts and international advisors. The program will also contribute to the political dialogue, |
