1

Ongoing EU funded NGO activities

Yot Ou

Phongsaly

Phongsaly h n a h p m a S May Sing Khoua Namtha Na Mo La

k a Add B Ton Pheung Xay

m Viengkham a Sobbao Meung N

Oudomxay g y n Xa Beng o y th ua g Ho Phonthong n Pha Oudom Nga ie Houne Pak Ou V Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh Houameuang

Samtay Pak Tha Pak Beng ChomphetLuangg PrabangPhonxay n a n b o ra P H g Khob Ngeune n g Hongsa a n u ie L X Nong Het Sayaboury

n Nane a h t e s y S a

Khoune Hom Phieng i Vangvieng Thathome ur Viengthong Borikhane boy a L Xaychamphone k a ayaP ThongmSixay Pholhong Bolikhamsai Thoulakhom S an gt Hatsayphong ho Khamkeut ng

ngSaysetha abo hott Sik Kenethao

Boten Yommalath KhammouaneBoualapha Mahaxay

Sebangphay Saybouathong

Viraboury Seponh

Outhoumphone

K h a n th a b o Nong u r y

Ta Oy Thapangthong Toumlane Saravane Kaleum

Vapy Saravane

SekongLa Mam

Dack Cheung

Pak Se P h o Champassackn th o n g Champassack Sanamxay INTRODUCTION

2012 marks a special year in the relations between the European Union and Lao PDR, as the Lao Government will host the 9th ASEM Summit in Vientiane. The Summit itself is a very visible political event, bringing together Heads of States and Heads of Governments from Asia and Europe. The ASEM process also pro- vides opportunities for Members of Parliaments, Business Leaders and Civil So- ciety representatives to come together. The Asia-Europe People’s Forum (AEPF), scheduled ahead of the Summit, will bring together active citizens from Europe and Asia to share their views and experiences. For the Lao civil society groups hosting the event, this will be an excellent opportunity to share their experiences and their achievements, and to learn from others from elsewhere in Asia and from Europe. The European Union strongly believes in the potential of local communities and civil society groups to make a significant contribution to a country’s development agenda. Several Member States and the EU Delegation to have long-stand- ing relationships and cooperation with non-governmental and other civil society organisations as well as with local and decentralised authorities in the field of development, and we are very confident that we can strengthen and extend this further. It is therefore our great pleasure to present the 2012 edition of the “Blue Book” on EU development cooperation with Lao PDR, which is dedicated to our part- nerships with civil society organisations and local authorities in support of poverty reduction, sustainable and inclusive development and - when needed - emergency assistance to Lao PDR. We hope that this “Blue Book” provides a helpful overview and information tool for our partners in government, civil society, and the wider development community in Lao PDR. Please do not hesitate to contact us or our non-resident colleagues as listed at the end of this brochure if you have any further questions. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. SUPPORT TO CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS IN LAO PDR: A LONG TRADITION AND CONTINUED SUCCESS 8

2. MAIN SECTORS OF COOPERATION 10 2.1 Rural Livelihoods and Food Security, Nutrition 10 Rural Livelihoods and Food Security, Nutrition 12 2.2 Emergency Assistance and disaster preparedness 13 2.3 14 2.4 Natural Resources Management, Environment, Climate Change 18 2.5 Health and Education 21 2.6 Trade, Small Enterprise Development and Micro-Credit 28 2.7 Inclusion and Participation, Good Governance and Human Rights 31 2.8 Heritage Preservation and Culture 35

3 EU DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION WITH CIVIL SOCIETY/NGOS 37 3.1 The European Union 37 3.2 The European Commission 37 3.3 39 3.4 Netherlands 40 3.5 United Kingdom 40 3.6 Germany 40 3.7 Luxemburg 41 3.8 Ireland 41

4. ONGOING NGO ACTIVITIES WITH SUPPORT FROM EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS 42

5. TO KNOW MORE 49

6. EU AND MEMBER STATE REPRESENTATION ACCREDITED TO LAO PDR 50

5 List of Abbreviations

AEPF Asia-Europe People’s Forum ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEM Asia–Europe Meeting ASF Avocats Sans Frontières France BMZ Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Germany) CCL Comité de Coopération avec le Laos CSO Civil Society Organisation DCI Development Cooperation Instrument DDMC District Disaster Management Committee DEVCO Development Cooperation DFA District Focused Approach DFID Department for International Development DFS District Focus Survey IfS Instrument for Stability DIPECHO Disaster Preparedness ECHO EC European Commission ECHO Humanitarian Aid Office EIDHR European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights ENRTP Environment and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources including energy EU European Union DGRV German Confederation of Cooperatives “Raiffeisen” GIZ German Society for International Cooperation HI Handicap International INGO International Non-Governmental Organization LANN Linking Agricultural, Natural resource management and Nutrition LBA Lao Bar Association LADCA Lao Development Cooperation Association Lao PDR ’s Democratic Republic LDPA Lao Disabled People’s Association LHPA Lao Health Positive Association M3M Médecine pour le Tiers Monde MAG Mine Advisory Group MDG Millennium Development Goal MFI Micro-finance Institution MHP Maeying Huamjai Phattana MONRE Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment MS Member State NFE Non-Formal Education NGO Non-Governmental Organization NPA Non-Profit Association NRA National Regulatory Authority NSA Non-State Actor

6 NSA-LA Non-State Actor-Local Authority NSEDP National Social Economic Development Plan NTFP Non-Timber Forest Product ODA Official Development Assistance PHC Primary Health Care SFD Social Fund for Development SNV Netherlands Development Organisation STD Sexually transmissible diseases UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UXO Unexploded Ordnance WFDF Woman & Family Development Fund WING Women’s Income Generation and Nutrition Groups WREA Water Resource and Environment Authority WTO World Trade Organisation

List of Figures Figure1: NGO Funding by sector (2011) 9 Figure2: Rural Livelihoods and Food Security, Nutrition 12 Figure3: Emergency Assistance 14 Figure4: Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) 17 Figure5: Natural Resources Management, Environment, Climate Change and Micro-credit, Small Enterprise Development and Trade 20 Figure6: Health 25 Figure7: Education 37 Figure8: Inclusion and Participation, Good Governance and Human Rights 34 Figure9: Heritage Preservation and Culture 36

List of Tables

Table1: EU development cooperation in Laos channelled through NGOs 2006-2010 8 Table2: Ongoing NGO Activities with support from European Development Partners 42

In this brochure, "European Union" is understood as the European Commission and the EU Member Sates together.

7 1. SUPPORT TO CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS IN LAO PDR: A LONG TRADITION AND CONTINUED SUCCESS

upport to development in Lao PDR by Interna The Lao Red Cross has also been an important partner Stional Non-Governmental Organisations (IN- for INGOs and international donors providing emergency GOs) goes back to the 1990s. The INGO decree of 1998 assistance. Since 2009 some 70 organisations have ap- (ref. 71/PM) (amended in January 2010 (ref.13/PM)) plied for NPA registrations. Of these, 17 have completed provides the legal basis for their operation. At least 75 the process. According to the latest official figures about INGOs are currently operating in the country, of which 30 80 NPAs are provisionally registered, either at central or have roots in Europe. provincial level. The European Union encourages opera- tional partnerships between registered international and In April 2009, the promulgation of a decree on Non-Prof- national NGOs, with an emphasis on strengthening the it Associations (Ref. no. 115/2009), allowed for the for- capacity of local NGOs. mation and registration of national civil society organi- sations, the so-called Non-Profit Associations (NPAs). From 2006 to 2010 the share of funding provided by the These NPAs can now operate in addition to the Mass EU to Laos through NGOs has grown steeply from 3% in Organisations of the Lao Socialist Party, such as the 2006 to 17 % in 2010 (see Table 1). The EU supports a Lao Women’s Association or the Lao Youth Organisa- total of 77 NGOs in Laos, of which 63 are international tion. Mass organisations have always been important NGOs and Red Cross organisations (93% of funding) counterparts for INGOs and other organisations imple- and 14 are Lao organisations (with 7% of funding). menting development projects with local communities.

Table 1: EU development cooperation in Laos channelled through NGOs 2006-2010

EU ODA to Laos EU funding through NGOs NGO funding as % of EU ODA Year (€ Million) (€ million)

2006 58.02 1.5 2.6% 2007 71.81 4.9 6.8% 2008 65.32 5.1 7.8% 2009 59.23 11.8 19.9% 2010 51.13 8.8 17.2% 2011 58.02 7.0 12.1%

The role of NGOs in supporting national development in Laos is significant, especially in service provision at sub-na- tional level. NGOs supported by the EU are active in 16 sectors. Health, education, rural (community) development, emergency response and food security comprise approximately 75% of EU-funded NGO activities.

8 Figure1: NGO Funding by sector (2011)

NGO funding by sector (2011)

2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 000's € 500 -

UXO Health Culture Gender Education Agriculture Biodiversity Food Security Other Multisector

Emergency Response Population Pol./Progr... Government & Civil S... Business & WaterOther Ser...supply & sanitation Community and Socia... Sector

In 2010, around €24 million, or 8%, of OECD ODA to vincial and local governments (the main counterparts for Laos was implemented through NGOs. This amount has NGO-implemented projects). It will increase understand- doubled since 2006. Approximately 30% of this has been ing of the aid effectiveness agenda, and emphasise the provided by the EU. importance of strengthening partnerships and coopera- tion to increase the impact of aid. NGOs are increasingly managing significant sums of EU ODA and are delivering this aid at sub-national level pri- There has been much progress in the coordination of marily in the provision of social services. NGO networks, NGO programmes in Laos, however much work still such as the INGO Network and Learning House, have in needs to be done to progress towards the objectives of the past demonstrated that they can participate respon- the 7th NSEDP and the Millennium Development Goals. sibly and actively in policy dialogue through coordination The Lao Government and all of its development partners, mechanisms such as the Round Table and the Sector donors and NGOs alike, should build on and consolidate Working Groups. The Government and other internation- the diversity and complementary roles that each can al development partners should recognize and strength- bring to national development efforts. en this rich potential in the future. This brochure puts together a selection of project exam- The Lao Government has recognised the importance of ples provided by our NGO partners. They illustrate not NGO work and piloted a process for increasing stake- only the scope of activities but give evidence of the impact holders’ involvement to expand the aid effectiveness dis- of grassroot-level development which is complementary cussions at provincial level through organising provincial to the development efforts of the Lao Government and its Round Table Meetings. This initiative paves the way for development partners. a more inclusive dialogue between civil society and pro-

9 2. MAIN SECTORS OF COOPERATION 2.1 Rural Livelihoods and Food Security, Nutrition

0% of the 6.4 million inhabitants of Lao PDR a difference. Support is provided for a variety of activities 8live in rural areas, often with uncertain liveli- including: agriculture improvement, food diversification, hoods and high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition. market access, value chain development, income gen- In 2010, the agriculture sector accounted for 33.4% of erating activities, irrigation, nutrition, etc. Only a small GDP1 and absorbed about 70 percent of the labour force. selection of these activities can be presented in this bro- Although Lao PDR is globally 'self-sufficient' in pro- chure. Furthermore, in the context of rural Laos, nutrition- duction, parts of the population still suffers from uneven al deficiencies often go in tandem with food insecurity, access to and availability of food. with a negative effect particularly on the development of children. Linking agriculture and food security is increas- International and national NGO support in the fields of ingly seen as a key development challenge, and the gov- rural livelihoods and agriculture, food security and nu- ernment as well as civil society are committed to tackling trition has a long tradition and receives a major part of this issue. The EU has supported several NGO projects donor financing. NGOs have proven that continuous work addressing the issue of malnutrition and has supported with local communities and district authorities can make the government to improve its policies.

Food Facility Action under the Northern Upland Development Program GIZ with local partners

From January 2010 to December 2011 the GIZ (with financing from the European Commission and the German Government) implemented a Food Facility project under the Northern Upland Development Program to increase the production and consumption of healthy food in the Northern uplands of Laos. Improving the livelihoods of the villagers in the northern Upland was the main objective of the in- tervention. Strengthening the training capacities of staff from district offices and mass organisations was necessary to achieve this. The case of Miss Phonegnuen Bounthida shows how capacity strengthening can have an impact even after the end of the program. Miss Phonegnuen Bounthi- da worked for the Mother and Child Health Care of the Health Department and was trained by the Food Facility Team as a Nutrition Educator. In 2011 she left the Health office to start a new job as a nurse in the in Mother and Child section of the Luang Prabang provincial Hospital. Miss Phonegnuen Bounthida re- ports: “I am still happy about the trainings I have received and the things I have learned. I profit now in my daily work in the hospital. If mothers with small children come for a treatment I can explain to them how they should feed the baby and how important a well balanced diet is for the development and the future of the child”. The Food Facility Program has trained 44 people in the targeted districts.

10 Women’s Income Generation and Nutrition Groups (WINGS) in Dakcheung District, CARE International in Lao PDR

Within the EU Food Security Project in Dakcheung District, Sekong, CARE has established 15 Women’s Income Generation and Nutrition Groups (WINGs). WINGs have undertaken participatory needs assess- ments, identified income generating activities, and are participating in the LANN community based education modules. CARE and the District Health Office support women to identify problems in the community and their solu- tions. Very high women’s workloads emerge as a fre- quent concern, and solutions to date include mecha- nized coffee and rice mills and income diversification (small animals, cash crops). Importantly, communi- ties are questioning the extremely high workloads of women in their community. At Dak Do village, men are building 27 water-powered rice mills for all 54 house- holds. The man who invented the machine recog- nized that his wife spent hours every morning milling rice: “Everyone in my family is happy, we knew that the rice husked [by my wife] has been done not for one member of the family but for all. My children also helped me in building this” (Somleebun, 47 years)

WINGs have created a space where wom- en get together, plan and undertake ac- tivities to address their needs. Men have started to share household chores while women attend meetings or training, such as a week-long training for coffee processing in nearby Paksong (Bolovan, about 250km from Dakcheung). This is a milestone as traditionally this ethnic group prohibits mar- ried women staying overnight in another village without their husband.

11 Figure2: Rural Livelihoods and Food Security, Nutrition

RuralRural Livelihoods Livelihoods and Food Security,and Food Nutrition Security, Nutrition China

Yot Ou 3

Phongsaly

Phongsaly16 h n a h p m a S May Myanmar

Khoua Vietnam Namtha Na Mo Luang Namtha La

k a Add B Ton Pheung Xay

m Viengkham 16 a Sobbao Meung N 5 Oudomxay g y Beng n Xa o y th ua g Ho Phonthong n Nga ie Pha Oudom Houne Pak Ou V Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh Houameuang

5 9 5 Samtay Pak Tha Pak Beng ChomphetLuangg PrabangPhonxay n a n b o ra P H g Khob Ngeune n g Hongsa a n u ie 17 17 L X 4 4 8 6 Nong Het Sayaboury 1

n Nane a Xiangkhouang h t e s y a S

Khoune 6 Hom Phieng i r Vangvieng Thathome Viengthong ou 12 Borikhane y a Vientiane L Xaychamphone k a ayaPb ThongmSixay Pholhong Bolikhamsai Thoulakhom S an gt Hatsayphong ho Khamkeut ng

ngSaysetha abo hott Sik Kenethao 21 15

Boten Yommalath KhammouaneBoualapha Mahaxay Thakhek 10 Sebangphay Saybouathong 13 Viraboury Seponh

19 20 Outhoumphone

K h a n th a b o Nong u r Savannakhet y

Ta Oy Thailand Thapangthong Toumlane Saravane Kaleum

Vapy 14 Saravane 7

SekongLa Mam

Dack Cheung 2 11 Pak Se P h o Champassackn th o n g

Champassack Sanamxay 18 Attapeu

12 2.2 Emergency Assistance and disaster preparedness Rural Livelihoods and Food Security, Nutrition outheast Asia is one of the most disas increasing food security levels. ter-prone areas in the world. In Lao PDR the China S Complementary to its emergency assistance, the EU has losses in human lives and destruction caused by natural also been providing support for communities to be better disasters each year are considerable both from an eco- prepared for potential natural disasters and to be able Yot Ou nomic and social point of view. This results in reduced 3 to provide a quick response. Since 1998, the DIPECHO development potential of the poorer districts. One of the Phongsaly programme continues to help strengthening local disas- Phongsaly16 h most recent examples is from October 2011 when sever- n a h ter preparedness capacities, through training of disaster p m a S al typhoons crossing led to wide-spread May management committees at local levels, the integration flooding in Lao PDR, , Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar of disaster risk reduction into local planning, the imple- Khoua Vietnam the Philippines. Namtha Na Mo mentation of small scale mitigation measures, and the Luang Namtha La The European Union has been providing humanitarian setting up of early warning systems. The programme also k a Add B Ton Pheung Xay m Viengkham 16 a Sobbao aid to vulnerable people in Lao PDR since 1993, mainly prioritises education and public awareness campaigns. Meung N 5 Oudomxay g y Beng n Xa o through its Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), supporting y th ua g Ho Phonthong n In emergency assistance, the EU builds on partnerships Nga ie Pha Oudom Houne Pak Ou V Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh emergency food aid but also activities such as the pro- Houameuang with international and non-governmental organisations 5 9 5 Samtay Pak Tha Pak Beng vision of medicine and medical equipment to health cen- Chomphet Phonxay with a field presence and the logistical means to bring Luangg Prabang n a n b o ra P Khob H g tres or the setting-up of safe drinking water and sanitation Ngeune n g Hongsa a n u ie 17 17 L support quickly to people in need. The EU Member X 4 4 8 6 Nong Het systems along with small infrastructure projects aimed at Sayaboury 1 States are also often involved in emergency assistance. n Nane a Xiangkhouang h t e s y a S

Khoune 6 Hom Phieng i ECHO Support against a Malaria Outbreak in Attapeu 2012 r Vangvieng Thathome Viengthong ou 12 Borikhane y a Vientiane L Xaychamphone k Towards the end of 2011, the incidence of malaria in several a ayaPb ThongmSixay Pholhong Bolikhamsai districts of had increased, with thousands of Thoulakhom S an gt Hatsayphong ho Khamkeut ng cases confirmed and several deaths. ECHO’s partner, Health

ngSaysetha abo hott Sik Kenethao 21 15 Poverty Action, in close cooperation with the national author-

Boten ities and the World Health Organisation, proposed to provide Yommalath KhammouaneBoualapha emergency assistance to over 40,000 people and by doing so Mahaxay Thakhek 10 prevent the outbreak from turning into a major regional epi- Sebangphay Saybouathong 13 demic. ECHO provided €187,000 to treat patients, train health Viraboury Seponh workers and distribute mosquito nets and repellent. 19 20 Outhoumphone

K h a n t Viet, a 30-year-old lady in of Attapeu, told her h a b o Nong u r Savannakhet y story. She is married with two children, and described how their Ta Oy Thailand Thapangthong village four kilometres away had been cleared for a rubber plantation. The whole village was moved to a new Toumlane Saravane Kaleum settlement in the forest where people worked on the rubber plantation or continued to tend the paddy fields Vapy 14 Saravane 7 back near their old village.

SekongLa Mam Viet recounted how she had felt feverish soon after moving to the new settlement, and had walked several Dack Cheung 2 11 Pak Se kilometres with her husband to the district hospital. There she had a blood test and malaria was confirmed. P h o Champassackn th o n g Viet received medicine to take for three days. Fortunately, she recovered. However, not everyone is as lucky,

Champassack Sanamxay 18 Attapeu especially those who work deep in the forest, staying there for several days at a time. In this ECHO-funded project, Health Poverty Action will make contact with as many vulnerable people as pos- sible, providing diagnosis and treatment plus prevention via health information and special insecticide-treated nets. These nets are designed to surround the hammocks used by migrant workers who sleep in the forests. Some workers are from Attapeu, whilst others are from neighbouring provinces or from Vietnam. The project uses Mobile Health Clinics and Village House Volunteers to tackle the outbreak quickly and before the rainy season begins in May. As usual, ECHO and its partners must be fast and focused, to provide appropriate help at the right time. 13

Figure3: Emergency Assistance Emergency Assistance (ECHO) Emergency Assistance (ECHO)China

Yot Ou

Phongsaly

Phongsaly h n a h p m a S May Myanmar

Khoua Vietnam Namtha Na Mo Luang Namtha La

k a Add B Ton Pheung Xay

m Viengkham a Sobbao Meung N

Oudomxay g y Beng n Xa o y th ua g Ho Phonthong n Nga ie Pha Oudom Houne Pak Ou V Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh Houameuang

Samtay Pak Tha Pak Beng ChomphetLuangg PrabangPhonxay n a n b o ra P H g Khob Ngeune n g Hongsa a n u ie L X Nong Het Sayaboury

n Nane a Xiangkhouang h t e s y a S

Khoune Hom Phieng i r Vangvieng Thathome Viengthong ou Borikhane y a Vientiane L 7 Xaychamphone k 5 a ayaPb ThongmSixay Pholhong Bolikhamsai Thoulakhom S an gt Hatsayphong ho Khamkeut ng

ngSaysetha abo hott Sik Kenethao 2

Boten 6 Yommalath KhammouaneBoualapha 5 8 4 Mahaxay Thakhek

Sebangphay Saybouathong

Viraboury Seponh

Outhoumphone

K h a n th a b o Nong u r Savannakhet y

Ta Oy Thailand Thapangthong Toumlane Saravane Kaleum

Vapy Saravane

SekongLa Mam

Dack Cheung

Pak Se P h o Champassackn th o n 3 g 1 Champassack Sanamxay Attapeu

2.3 Unexploded Ordnance

aos is - per capita - the most heavily bombed For over 15 years, the European Commission and sev- L country in the world, and carries a legacy from eral EU member states (particularly Belgium, Germany, the so called Second Indochina War of an estimated Ireland and Luxembourg) have supported the Lao pop- 80 million unexploded ordnances (UXOs). In Novem- ulation against the risks of unexploded ordnances. This ber 2010, the Government of Lao PDR hosted the first particularly affects rural populations and limits the avail- meeting of the State Signatory Parties to the Convention ability of arable land, particularly in the uplands areas in on Cluster Munitions. This successful and highly visible the North and South of Lao PDR. The ongoing support event increased awareness among the Lao population not only focuses on UXO clearance, but also on assis- and international partners. EU support to the UXO sector tance to UXO victims, public information and safety risk through NGO partners, however, has a much longer his- education campaigns. tory.

14

Emergency Assistance (ECHO) China

Yot Ou

Phongsaly

Phongsaly h n a h p m a S May Myanmar

Khoua Vietnam Namtha Na Mo Luang Namtha La k a Add B Ton Pheung Xay m Viengkham a Sobbao Meung N

Oudomxay g y Beng n Xa o y th ua g Ho Phonthong n Nga ie Pha Oudom Houne Pak Ou V Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh Houameuang

Samtay Pak Tha Pak Beng ChomphetLuangg PrabangPhonxay n a n b o ra P H g Khob Ngeune n g Hongsa a n u ie L X Nong Het Sayaboury n Nane a Xiangkhouang h t e s y a S

Khoune Hom Phieng i r Vangvieng Thathome Viengthong ou Borikhane y a Vientiane L 7 Xaychamphone k 5 a ayaPb ThongmSixay Pholhong Bolikhamsai Thoulakhom S an gt Hatsayphong ho Khamkeut ng

ngSaysetha abo hott Sik Kenethao 2 MAG Lao PDR is working as part of a team of UXO operators, coordinated by the National Regulatory Boten 6 Yommalath KhammouaneBoualapha Authority (NRA) on the implementation of a new UXO survey method. The ‘District Focused Approach to the 5 8 4 Mahaxay Thakhek

Sebangphay Saybouathong management of the UXO threat’ (DFA) is a pilot project that aims to identify and map UXO contamination

Viraboury Seponh together with planned use in the poorest and most highly contaminated districts of the country. This innovative

Outhoumphone

K h a n th methodology will result in the Government of the Lao PDR having accurate UXO clearance plans that will a b o Nong u r Savannakhet y

Ta Oy tie into local planned land use, district and provincial level development plans, National Government poverty Thailand Thapangthong Toumlane Saravane Kaleum reduction strategies, intergovernmental treaties such as the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the plans of Vapy Saravane both national and international developmental NGOs. SekongLa Mam

Dack Cheung

Pak Se P Through the EU’s support, MAG Lao PDR has been able to trial the DFA in in Kham- h o Champassackn th o n 3 g 1 mouane Province. Early results have been extremely encouraging and through the dedicated work of 9 com- Champassack Sanamxay Attapeu munity liaison teams we have, to date, been able to produce a clear picture of the UXO contamination in 50% of the 77 villages in the District. The work has required close co-ordination with the Department of Labour and Social Welfare at provincial and district levels. Their representatives chair provincial and district committees overseeing the survey, as well as coordinate and assist with participatory techniques that are an integral part of consulting with and involving the affected communities. ‘We are very grateful for the EU’s support in the development of the DFA. This survey has the potential to significantly contribute to the rapid progress of Lao PDR’s economic and social development, as well remov- ing the all too real threat of injury and death that affected communities live with,’ said a local official in project target area.

15

Unexploded Ordnance China A working day for the UXO survey and clearance teams in Handicap International

Yot Ou

As the sun rises, the base camp at Nong stirs, teams Phongsaly Phongsaly h readying for departure. n a h p m a S The District Focus Survey (DFS) teams start first, May headed to the villages they will survey. Meanwhile, Myanmar Khoua Vietnam the roving clearance team takes explosives to destroy Namtha Na Mo the unexploded ordnance (UXO) discovered in the Luang Namtha La k a Add B Ton Pheung Xay

m Viengkham villages previously surveyed by the DFS or reported a Sobbao Meung N

Oudomxay g y Beng n Xa o by the community volunteers. A test radio message y th ua g Ho Phonthong n Nga ie Pha Oudom Houne Pak Ou V Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh announces the beginning of the clearance activities. Houameuang

Samtay Here we go ... a new day! Pak Tha Pak Beng ChomphetLuangg PrabangPhonxay n a n b o ra P H g Khob Ngeune n g Hongsa a n u 7 ie L The DFS team arrives accompanied by the repre- X Nong Het sentative of the UXO district committee. Together, Sayaboury

n Nane a Xiangkhouang h t e

s 5 they greet the village chief while the villagers gather, y S a warned of their arrival the day before. DFS surveyors Khoune Hom Phieng i r Vangvieng Thathome Viengthong spend the day conducting the survey throughout the ou Borikhane y a Vientiane L Xaychamphone village, house by house, happy to walk sometimes for miles to take the GPS coordinates of reported UXO in k a ayaPb ThongmSixay Pholhong Bolikhamsai order to establish the final contamination map of the village Thoulakhom S an gt Hatsayphong ho Khamkeut Boom!! This is sound of a demolition carried out by the roving clearance team deployed nearby. The survey ng ngSaysetha abo 4 hott Sik 8 team leader takes the opportunity to explain to the villagers the roving team activities and confirm HI’s commit- Kenethao Boten ment to rapidly destroying all UXO reported. They have destroyed 600 UXOs in the first two months of 2012. Yommalath Khammouane2 Boualapha 6 Mahaxay 2 At the end of the working day, some Thakhek 2

Sebangphay Saybouathong team members sleep early while others 2 2 Viraboury will gather around a campfire and share 1 Seponh 1 their highlights of the day. The Risk Ed- Outhoumphone K h a n th a b ucation team who are carrying out com- o Nong u ry Savannakhet 1 3

munity liaison work in the village, show Ta Oy Thailand Thapangthong Toumlane a movie to raise UXO awareness. Saravane Kaleum

Vapy Saravane

SekongLa Mam 6 Dack Cheung

Pak Se P h o Champassackn th o n g Champassack Sanamxay Attapeu

16 Figure4: Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Unexploded OrdnanceUnexploded Ordnance China

Yot Ou

Phongsaly Phongsaly h n a h p m a S May Myanmar

Khoua Vietnam Namtha Na Mo Luang Namtha La

k a Add B Ton Pheung Xay

m Viengkham a Sobbao Meung N

Oudomxay g y Beng n Xa o y th ua g Ho Phonthong n Nga ie Pha Oudom Houne Pak Ou V Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh Houameuang

Samtay Pak Tha Pak Beng ChomphetLuangg PrabangPhonxay n a n b o ra P H g Khob Ngeune n g Hongsa a n u 7 ie L X Nong Het Sayaboury

n Nane a Xiangkhouang h t e

s 5 y S a

Khoune Hom Phieng i r Vangvieng Thathome Viengthong ou Borikhane y a Vientiane L Xaychamphone k a ayaPb ThongmSixay Pholhong Bolikhamsai Thoulakhom S an gt Hatsayphong ho Khamkeut ng

ngSaysetha abo 4 hott Sik Kenethao 8

Boten Yommalath Khammouane2 Boualapha 6 Mahaxay 2 Thakhek 2

Sebangphay Saybouathong 2 2 Viraboury 1 Seponh 1 Outhoumphone

K h a n th a b o Nong u ry Savannakhet 1 3

Ta Oy Thailand Thapangthong Toumlane Saravane Kaleum

Vapy Saravane

SekongLa Mam 6 Dack Cheung

Pak Se P h o Champassackn th o n g Champassack Sanamxay Attapeu

17 2.4 Natural Resources Management, Environment, Climate Change

he wealth of Lao PDR’s natural resources of this natural resource base for economic development Tcomprises a forest cover that is still substantial- and poverty reduction. This recognition is reflected in the ly higher than in surrounding countries; fertile and arable recent upgrade of the Water Resources and Environment land; abundant and fish rich renewable water resources; Administration (WREA) into a full Ministry of Environment and considerable mineral resources, such as gold, cop- and Natural Resources (MONRE) in 2011. The Climate per, aluminium and lignite. The exploitation of these nat- Change Office is expected to being upgraded in 2012 to ural resources has catalyzed economic growth through- a Department, reflecting the growing importance of this out Lao PDR and contributed towards the goals of the cross-cutting topic. NSEDP. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) can play a major role The pressure on natural resources, especially arable in promoting the sustainable use of natural resources in land and forests, has increased dramatically in recent order to prevent land and forest degradation, over-ex- years and threatens rural livelihoods in a country where ploitation of non-timber forest products (NTFP) and un- 80 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture and controlled extraction of wildlife as well as unsustainable fisheries and are, thus, directly dependent on the natural agricultural practices. Many CSOs have, through their resource base. Non-timber forest products (NTFP) are rural development and food security projects, a strong the most important food security safety net for the rural track record in raising awareness and building capacities poor. of local communities and hence increasing the resilience of the rural poor to climate change related risks. The Government of Lao PDR recognizes the importance

From Vulnerability to Resilience Caritas Luxembourg

The V2R “From vulnerability to resilience” project of Caritas Luxembourg is an innovative approach combin- ing livelihood improvement and Disaster Risk Reduc- tion (DRR). Much of the project focuses on improving livelihoods, as in any rural development project, but with an important component of risk prevention in a context where people are still vulnerable to external shocks such as floods, rice pests or animal diseases. Today, the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) of Thathom in Xieng Khouane Province and its 23 villages are skilled and equipped with tools to prevent disasters occurring in this area through a real community based disaster risk management plan (CB- DRM). At the community level, a village Disaster Pre- vention Unit was set up after a Hazard Capacity Vulnerability Assessment (HCVA) exercise, a participatory survey similar to the well-known PRAs, to collect information on hazards, vulnerabilities and local capacities. This set up, supported by Caritas Luxembourg, the Lao Red Cross and the expertise of the Lao National Committee for Disaster Management, is the result of training at provincial, district and village level. The aim is to build people’s capacity to cope with disaster risks and increasing their resilience.

18 Wild tea production as a tool for forest conservation Comité de Coopération avec le Laos (CCL)

The Tea Mountains of (China) stretch partly into the upper north district of Laos, Nhotou. In the broadleaf evergreen forests grows the tea plant “Camellia sinensis”. It is the wild tree, mother of many highly valued cultivated tea plants. Chinese middle- men, prospecting the regions for premium wild tea, discovered the area 10 years ago. Native villagers still practice slash and burn agriculture and cutting the forest when they clear the land for fields, including the precious wild tea trees. Since 2010 CCL implemented an-EU funded Food Se- curity project, using a holistic approach to food secu- rity that highlights the role of the natural environment including NTFP. One of the activities is wild tea pro- tection, tea and cardamom nursery, tea processing and marketing.

Villagers have now started to protect the wild tea forests and allocated user-rights for individual trees to each family in the village so that every- one benefits from the communal land. Aware- ness raising on the environmental requirements for qualitative wild tea and medicinal cardamom convinced the families to protect the forest and maintain a dense canopy. The success of this activity is that it combines in- come generation with forest conservation. Hence the villagers in the target area are motivated to increase the area with wild tea in the forests. CCL continues to organise trainings for villages interested in improving tea quality and increasing income.

19 Figure5: Natural Resources Management, Environment, Climate Change and Micro-credit,

Natural ResourceSmall Enterprise Management, Development and Trade Environment, Climate Change AndNatural Micro-Credit, Resource Management, Small Enterprise Environment, Development Climate Change and Trade And Micro-Credit,China Small Enterprise Development and Trade

Yot Ou

Phongsaly Phongsaly h n a h p m a S May Myanmar

Khoua Vietnam Namtha Na Mo

Luang Namtha1 La

k a Add B Ton Pheung Xay

m Viengkham a Sobbao Meung N

Oudomxay g y Beng n Xa o y th ua g Ho Phonthong n Nga ie Pha Oudom Houne Pak Ou V Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh Houameuang

Samtay Pak Tha Pak Beng ChomphetLuangg PrabangPhonxay n a n b o ra P 5 H g Khob Ngeune n g Hongsa a n u ie L X Nong Het Sayaboury 5

n Nane a Xiangkhouang h t e

s 1 y 2 a S

Khoune Hom Phieng i r Vangvieng Thathome Viengthong ou Borikhane y a Vientiane L Xaychamphone k 3 a ayaPb ThongmSixay Pholhong Bolikhamsai Thoulakhom S an 3 gt Hatsayphong ho Khamkeut ng

ngSaysetha abo 5 hott Sik 3 Kenethao 4

Boten Yommalath KhammouaneBoualapha Mahaxay Thakhek

Sebangphay Saybouathong

Viraboury Seponh

Outhoumphone

K h a n th 5 a b o Nong u r Savannakhet y

Ta Oy Thailand Thapangthong Toumlane Saravane Kaleum

Vapy Saravane 5

SekongLa Mam 1 Dack Cheung

Pak Se P h o Champassackn th o n g

Champassack Sanamxay 5 5 Attapeu

20 2.5 Health and Education he European Commission and the Member in rural communities. The activities have encompassed TStates have continually supported health and working with local health authorities and local health pro- education sectors at both the national level through bi- viders to strengthen service delivery and outreach to rural lateral cooperation and at grass root levels through NGO poor populations. The education sector has focussed on partners. In the health sector, several Member States the learning of basic life skills by youth and adults, and have focussed their support through NGOs on improving measures complementary to the Government’s prima- access to clean drinking water, sexually transmissible dis- ry education system in order to improve the quality for eases (STDs) prevention, better health care services and basic education and to keep children motivated to stay improving nutrition status for mother and children. Great in school. The EU has further supported the increase of efforts have been made during the last ten years par- equitable access to basic education for children with dis- ticularly on reducing Infant and Maternal Mortality Rates abilities and children living in isolated areas particularly in the northern provinces of Lao PDR.

Leveraging the grassroots: achieving MDGs through comprehensive Primary Health Care in 18 Northern Districts Save the Children

Hard to reach communities now using the hospital: this is an ethnic Khmu family waiting at the outpatients de- partment of the Hospital, January 2012. Centre of the photo is Grandmother Mone. To the right is Mother Nen. The child to the left is Mone’s son, Kham, aged 8, and the right is her daughter, Chan, aged 5. The family is from Houiakor village. There are five chil- dren in this family, with the three other children at home in the village today. Although only 10 km from the district hospital, the village is in a steep area and is difficult to access. Despite the two children being sick, the family walked one hour down the hill and then paid for a local taxi to the hospital. Today, daughter Chan has a fever and cough, and Kham is recovering from malaria. Last year in Houiakor village there were many cases of malaria. Last year two of this family’s extended family died of malaria. This year, because of the new hospital and because the hospital now has a doctor that can speak Khmu language, the community has started to come for diagnosis and treatment, before they get too ill. Today, Mother Nen was worried that her daughter also had malaria so brought her to the hospital. Because there are simple laboratory facilities at the hospital, a blood test could be done on the spot. The result was negative; the diagnosis was an upper respiratory tract infection and medicine was provided. This village received a clean water supply and latrines for the first time through the PHC Program, making life much easier for the family. The family explained that in previous years there had been a lot of cases of diarrhoea in the village, but this year there have been no diarrhoea or malaria.

21 Case study from Save the Children (Primary Health Care Programme) Water is life

Access to clean water and sanitation is essential for good health for all. It has a direct impact on improving the health of women and children. But having clean water is also a basic human right. It means your family can live a life where you are not afraid that the water you drink will often make the children sick. It means you live a life that is easier, because you and your children don’t spend hours each day hauling water. Save the Children and the European Commission are partnering to provide water and sanitation in rural Laos because we know the investment delivers substantive re- turns in health and wellbeing. We work with communities to build water systems. Each household contributes time and labour, as well as local materials needed for construction: sand, gravel and wood. We provide technical guidance for construction, so each system will last many years. We provide each household with a latrine. And we invest in good com- munity education to raise the understanding of better hygiene practices. Our partnership has provided wa- ter to more than 16,000 people to date.

Before water is provided The setting of this photo, a group of children walking through the local forest, looks beautiful at first glance. But what this photo actually shows is a group of school children carrying containers of water over their shoul- ders. It is one kilometre from the river up to the village. It’s hard, heavy work. In most countries, carrying ten kilos of water over your shoulders is not something any- one would ask their eight-year old child to do as a regular daily chore. Two or three round trips takes these girls most of the afternoon. No time for homework, and no time to play. The right to play is enshrined in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child.

After water is provided Children are still expected to contribute to household chores. With the water tap now just metres from the door, it takes only minutes not hours to bring water for cooking, drinking and the latrine. What this leaves time for – and what every child should have – is the right to play and the right to have a child- hood free of hard labour. And because the water quality is improved, it means a childhood with less sickness and less risk of death through water-borne diseases. That’s a childhood we want every child to have.

22 The Lao Positive Health Association Social Fund for Development, France

The Lao Health Positive Association (LHPA) (formerly the Lao Youth Action for AIDS Pro- gramme (LYAP)) was established in 2000 un- der the umbrella of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organization. Three Laotians who had recently graduated from university created the basis for an interactive school-based AIDS education program. LHPA now has fifteen staff and approximately 100 active volunteers including people living with HIV, drug users, or unemployed school leavers. 90% are vulnerable people. LHPA’s interactive peer-led programs educate vulnerable young people about HIV transmis- sion and promote prevention by empowering them to take responsibility for their own be- haviour and health. The association aims at nurturing a spirit of empowerment by improving and fostering a network of young volunteers through promoting creativity, independent think- ing, problem solving, participatory processes, a spirit of team building and community cohesion. LHPA’s objective is to give young people a belief in their own abilities and a desire to participate in civil society by addressing AIDS and other health issues. LHPA has a specific outreach program for gay, bisexual and transgender people. These groups rely on LHPA for HIV/AIDS and sexuality and reproductive health infor- mation that is hard to access elsewhere in Lao society. Although short-term programs are available, LHPA’s long-term approach that focuses on behaviour, attitudes, cultural norms, and self-esteem is unique in the area. In addition to prevention programs, LHPA undertakes care and support for people already affected with HIVAIDS. This includes peer-to-peer counselling that takes place in the hospitals where patients are attend- ing, and also in self-help groups that extend their scope to include the social and economic consequences of HIV infection. It also includes a positive prevention program that promotes the importance of early HIV testing among vulnerable groups and delivers safe sex awareness messages to the potential partners of already-in- fected people.

23 “The Right to Health, Water and Food of Indigenous Populations in Remote Regions of Lao PDR” M3M in partnership with Health Poverty Action and the Lao Women’s Union

“The Right to Health, Water and Food of Indig- enous Populations in Remote Regions of Lao PDR” project aims to reduce the incidence and prevalence of malnutrition in Saravan prov- ince. Project and local counterpart staff work with the most vulnerable communities living in extremely poor and remote villages in Toum- lane, Vapi and Ta Oy districts to help them im- prove their health and nutritional status. One way that this is being done is through commu- nity-led education using participatory meth- odologies through which communities gain awareness on issues of health, nutrition, hy- giene & sanitation and food security and their inter-relation. Training of provincial and district trainers has already taken place and they report an improvement in their knowledge of basic nutrition and training methodolo- gies. In addition, they found that learn- ing is not just easier but more fun when using participatory techniques rather than taking a more didactic approach. Village facilitators will soon be trained using materials that can be adapted to their own situations and cultural context and will be supported throughout the project period to carry-out community education. It is hoped that this, along with other project activities will translate into better behavioural practices related to health and nutrition and the abandon- ment of practices and cultural taboos that have a negative impact upon health and nutrition that are prevalent in these target areas.

24 Figure6: Health

Health Health China

Yot Ou

Phongsaly 22

Phongsaly23 h n a h p m a S May Myanmar

Khoua Vietnam Namtha Na Mo 26 25 20 5 Luang Namtha La 1 5 k a Add B Ton Pheung Xay 2 m Viengkham 6 5 a Sobbao Meung 11 N 6 Oudomxay g y Beng 15 n Xa o y th ua g Ho 5 Phonthong n Nga ie 6 Pha Oudom Houne Pak Ou V Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh 5 1 2 Houameuang 6 5 Samtay Pak Tha Pak Beng ChomphetLuangg PrabangPhonxay 6 n 5 a n b o ra 17 P H g Khob Ngeune n g Hongsa a n u 1 ie 2 1 L15 X 1 2 2 1 26 2 Nong Het Sayaboury

n Nane a 2 1 Xiangkhouang h t 1 e 2 s

y 2 S a 1

Hom Phieng i 17 r Vangvieng 8 Thathome Viengthong 1 2 ou 4 Borikhane y a Vientiane ab L 4 Xaychamphone k a 1 ay P 2 Thongmixay Pholhong 1 S Bolikhamsai 2 Thoulakhom S an g Hatsayphong th Khamkeut on g 4

ngSaysetha16 abo 9 29 21 hott 12 Sik 28 24 13 15 Kenethao 18 10 1 2 14 Boten 1 2 Yommalath KhammouaneBoualapha Mahaxay Thakhek

Sebangphay Saybouathong

Viraboury Seponh 7 7 Outhoumphone

K h 10 27 a n th a b o Nong u 15 ry Savannakhet

Ta Oy Thapangthong Thailand 26 3 Toumlane Saravane3 Kaleum

Vapy 3 Saravane

SekongLa Mam

Dack Cheung 26 Pak Se P h 19 o Champassackn th o 10 15 n g

Champassack 26 Attapeu

25 Non-formal education and training activities for women in rural areas Welthungerhilfe and dvv international, in cooperation with the Lao NPAs NORMAI and LADCA

Due to widespread illiteracy and poor skills, women in many remote rural areas are by and large excluded from decision-making processes in the village and the small- scale commerce with traders and in markets. In remote Kaleng- phou village of in Savannketh Province, which is difficult to access in the rainy season, a 17 year old young woman who attends the NFE classes regularly states that she is very happy to get a chance to learn and obtain an education, including a certificate. There was no school in her village when she was younger. Most parents only sent sons to the primary school in the neighbouring village, while she and other girls had to help their mothers with fetching water, cooking and cleaning the house, looking after siblings, foraging, weeding and pounding rice. Now, she hopes that her education will open new opportunities and help her to escape exclusion and the cycle of poverty. Since 2010, Welthungerhilfe and dvv international, in cooperation with the Lao NPAs NORMAI and LADCA, are implementing an integrated rural development project funded by the German Government and private sources. The objective of the project is to improve food security by increasing productivity and diversifying livelihoods. Provision of youth and adult non-formal education (NFE) is part of the project.

School supplies as incentives for primary school children in rural areas of Boke Plan International Laos

Staying in school is difficult for many children in rural districts mostly because of poverty. Even though basic ed- ucation is free, many parents do not have money to buy their children the school supplies necessary to be active and participate in school. “I would like to come to school every day and I would like to keep coming until I finish highest grades” said Chinda, a primary school student in Phousong Village, . Last academic year, Plan and the District Educa- tion Bureau (DEB) ensured every student in every school in the district received a Plan–EU school bag that contained all the necessary school sup- plies. Once the team reached each village, the children would gather and looked excited to get a bag. They knew that this meant they could go to school without worrying that they would run out of books to write in or pens to write with. More than 15,000 students in re- ceive direct support from Plan Laos to help them complete their primary education.

26 Figure7: Education

Education Education China

Yot Ou

Phongsaly

Phongsaly h n a h p m a S May

Myanmar Sing 9 Khoua Vietnam Namtha Na Mo 2 La Luang Namtha 2 k a Add B Ton Pheung Xay

2 m Viengkham a Sobbao Meung N

1 Oudomxay g y n Xa Beng o y th ua g Ho 3 2 Phonthong n Pha Oudom Nga ie Houne Pak Ou V Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh 1 2 Houameuang 7 2 Samtay Pak Tha Pak Beng ChomphetLuangg PrabangPhonxay 1 n a n 2 b o ra P H g Khob Ngeune n g Hongsa a n u ie L X Nong Het Sayaboury

n Nane a Xiangkhouang h t e s y a S

Hom Phieng i r Vangvieng Thathome Viengthong u o Borikhane b y a Vientiane a L Xaychamphone k y a a P ThongmSixay Pholhong Bolikhamsai Thoulakhom S an gt Hatsayphong ho Khamkeut ng

ngSaysetha abo hott Sik 8 10 Kenethao 6 4

Boten Yommalath KhammouaneBoualapha Mahaxay Thakhek

Sebangphay Saybouathong

Viraboury Seponh 5 Outhoumphone

K h a n th a b o Nong u ry Savannakhet 8

Ta Oy Thailand Thapangthong Toumlane Saravane Kaleum

Vapy Saravane

SekongLa Mam

Dack Cheung

Pak Se P h o Champassackn th o n g Attapeu

27 2.6 Trade, Small Enterprise Development and Micro-Credit

he Lao economy has been growing at a very T fast rate over the last decade. However, the gaps between the rich and the poor, and between urban and rural populations in terms of social and economic op- portunities have been increasing. There has also been an increased reliance on natural resources in order to maintain this high level of growth. To maintain econom- ic, social and political stability in the coming years, Laos needs to diversify and sustain its economic growth sourc- es and to ensure more inclusive growth. The European Union is a main development partner to Laos providing support to enhance trade and economic diversification in order to enhance sustainable and inclu- sive economic growth. The General System of Preferenc- es opens trade opportunities with the European Union, and aid-for-trade activities support Laos in its efforts to participate in multilateral and regional economic integra-

tion, particularly the WTO accession process and the establishment of an ASEAN common market. NGO projects have proven to be very effective in promoting commercial activities, particularly of small producers or producer cooperatives, and facilitating their access to existing and new markets. NGO-implemented proj- ects often work at the interface of trade, agriculture, and protection of the environment. There are several examples where NGO projects promoted eco-friendly and community-based as an additional source of cash income for rural communities. And since the banking system in Laos is still developing and access to credit is still a major problem for rural populations, micro-credit schemes introduced and managed by NGOs make a significant difference. Several Europe- an NGOs and savings cooperatives are active in this field.

28 Promoting Rural Micro-Finance Services German Confederation of Cooperatives “Raiffeisen” (DGRV)

The DGRV program provides technical and fi- nancial support at the grass root level to Village Banks, which are member-owned and mem- ber-managed democratic self-help organizations deeply rooted in the local communities. They provide savings and microcredit opportunities as well as advisory services to their members. At the secondary level, DGRV supports the building up of a district-level network support organization for Village Banks, the so called Village Bank Ser- vice Center, thus procuring long-term sustainable support by combining the advantages and inclu- siveness of Village Banks with the quality and professionalism of a formal Financial Institution registered with Bank of Laos.

On both levels, all decision-taking authority lies upon the member assembly and its rep- resentative, the Board of Directors. DGRV provides training, advice and coaching. Ms. Toi Keohanam’s is a disciplined saver. In one year she saved 2,3 mio. Kip (~290 USD) to deposit at the Village Bank. When Toi’s husband Ngone suddenly fell sick last month, she was reluctant to touch her sav- ings, and decided to borrow the needed money instead. She was very happy that she could immediately mobilize 2 mio. Kip as an emergency credit from her Village Bank. With the money, Ngone, who had acute stomach ache, was transferred to the provincial hospital. There the doctors immediately removed his appendix. Now, one month later, Ngone has started his seasonal job as a roadman and after only 14 days, the couple repaid the loan. During a training event last October on Financial Literacy villagers in Houanamxang village learnt and discussed how they could manage their household finances, how to prioritize their financial behavior, how they could build a safety net for their family by saving regularly, and how they should avoid getting trapped by ever-increasing debts. Toi confirms that although she herself had been aware of the messages of the training, it was very relevant for everybody in the village. ‘By becoming better to control our daily expenditures, and by saving regularly, our future and the future of our children will be safer and better.’ she says.

29 The Woman and Family Development Fund Foundation “Sparkassenstiftung”, Germany

The Sonephet family lives in the village of Palai, about 110 kilometres north-east of Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Until recently, the Sonephets lived mainly on the rice they grew. They earned just enough for their own living. Since the end of 2009, Mrs. Sonephet is a customer of the WFDF (Woman & Family Development Fund), a pro- fessional microfinance organisation established by the Lao Women’s Union. One of the group members came up with the idea that Mrs. Sonephet could tap an additional source of income by starting a small pig breeding farm in the stable behind their house. Recently, Mrs. Sonephet has been granted another loan of USD 500 from the WFDF to carry on her small but successful pig breeding business. In case of problems, all group members are on hand with help and advice. With the founding of the WFDF in mid-2009 and supported by Sparkassenstiftung, the Lao Women’s Union began to improve its microfinance operations. WFDF, similar to the early savings banks in Germany, takes in small savings deposits and lends out loans. The female customers, who are organised in centers and groups, are given the opportunity to start with the opening of a savings account. Later, they are allowed to apply for a loan for income generating activities. This loan is secured by a group guarantee. Currently three branch offices (in three different provinces) with a staff of 23 are supplying 3,000 households with microfinance services. The loan repayment rate is 99.7 %. In just two years of operation, WFDF is already able to cover its operational costs. Sparkassenstiftung’s activities in Laos are part of a regional project including Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and more recently Myanmar. The aim is to create a sustainable regional network of microfinance institutions, which allows individual partners to learn from and strengthen each other, whilst benefiting from international experi- ence.

30 Business Plans: Linking Production and Trade to Forest Resources Management SNV

This project supports micro-enterprises (“bamboo communities) and small and medium sized trad- ers and factories. Both the communities and the traders invest labour and resources in bamboo pro- duction [bamboo shoots for eating, bamboo poles for construction, handicrafts, furniture, mats, chop- sticks and incense sticks]. One of the challenges of the project is to increase the efficiency and organi- sation of bamboo trading. In order to bring the bamboo communities and the bamboo trade network closer together, a business plan facilitation process was initiated in early 2012. 17 pilot villages and 6 female local handicraft and furniture traders were brought together in a network. The project entails participatory training, e.g. on efficient planning of orders and profit calculation. Each of the 17 village business plans clearly shows a projection of profit and return on investment. The advantage of better coordination has become evident to bamboo communities and traders. As a final step all community business plans are now linked to the bamboo trader network business plan, and a strategy is in place for both sets of actors to improve their business relations.

2.7 Inclusion and Participation, Good Governance and Human Rights

he promotion of good governance and and Human Rights”. Funding from this thematic budget Thumanrights is a core value for European de- line has been mobilized to support international and local velopment cooperation. It constitutes an important sector NGOs for them to support, for example, individual hu- in the country support strategy of the European Union for man rights such as rights of women, children and people Lao PDR, and several EU Member States have been pro- with disabilities, or for creating better awareness about viding support e.g. for the rule of law, to parliament, and law and justice among the wider population and specif- to improve transparency and accountability of the public ic groups. In addition, the European Union has provid- administration. Strengthening of an active civil society is ed funding to strengthen capacity particularly of local a further goal of European development cooperation, and NGOs, e.g. through training programmes in proposal a specific cooperation instrument has been created for writing, project management and or financial reporting. this purpose - the “European Instrument for Democracy

31 Women Mobilizing for Development Maeying Huamjai Phattana (MHP) Social Fund for Development, France

MHP was founded in March 2010 (taking over from a Belgian NGO, VECO). MHP is one of the few NPAs to be based in Bokeo, a province characterised by its mountainous environment and a high population of ethnic groups including Hmong, Khmu, Akha and Lahu. The environment in which MHP works can be described as one of rapid social change. Experience to date sug- gests that many ethnic farmers, and especially women, lack the skills to take advantage of the opportunities that result from this change. This is where MHP plays an important role. Women will need to make lifestyle changes that provide better opportunities for them and their children. A combination of illiteracy and traditional cultural practices lead to ethnic women having lower education, limited opportunities for outside communication, low income-earning opportunities, limited decision making, and higher household workloads. High malnutrition rates during pregnancy and for children and high risks of trafficking for young women are also a problem. To face these issues, MHP undertakes two main activities in Bokeo: firstly, it seeks to identify and build ethnic women leaders who can influence the development of their communities. This is done by providing opportunities to build a network that enables women leaders to share with others in their own languages, and in particular, to receive mutual support to empower them to seek positive changes in gender relations in their communities. MHP also seeks to improve livelihoods in 15 villages of Paktha district.

‘Dignity and Equality’ Handicap International

Mr Tomchan is now 54 years old, he radiates confidence and competence. Only a slight limp tells us that he has a prob- lem with one leg. In fact one leg has been amputated. Until 1990 Mr Tomchan was a high ranking official in the Lao PDR Ministry of Agriculture and aspired to become the department’s leader one day. Being the liaison officer for experts from the Russian government his main tasks were to perform consulting for other government ministries. How- ever, his fate took an unexpected turn. While waiting by the roadside near his office and talking to a policeman, he was hit by a car. As compensation, the Ministry immediately offered retirement and granted Mr Tomchan a pension. Mr Tomchan knew of Handicap International and joined a two-year training programme. As a man of knowledge, education, and social responsibility he strived to serve his community. In 1995 he was elected the party secre- tary in his home district and worked for the Lao Disabled People’s Association (LDPA). Through his work with the LDPA and participation in the CABDIR project, Mr Tomchan has now been trained in Disability Rights and Equality and is an employee of the LDPA in the Disability Rights Promotion Unit.

32 Capacity building for the lawyer profession in LAO PDR Lao Bar Association (LBA) and Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF)

This project aims at strengthening the capacities of lawyers individually and collectively as part of a professional body represented by the Lao Bar Association. From 2010 to 2012, three groups of law students will follow a six- week training given by LBA’s trainers and French lawyer members of ASF France, acting as volunteer trainers. Comments made by a law student participating in training in 2011: “First of all, I would like to say that this training is a good opportunity and a chance for Lao jurists to become lawyers; I thank the Lao Bar Association and ASF France for this action, and the European Union for its support. The training session on “The role of lawyers” was really interesting and crucial for our future profession, because we learnt work principles and ethics of Lawyers. The training session on “International legal instrument” was also interesting; indeed, this concept is quite far from us yet, as regards to students’ level of knowledge and the legal system’s development in the country. The methods used during training sessions, like role play and case studies, were efficient. These trainings gave us an essential complementary basis of knowledge to become a lawyer, and a clear and ethical vision of this profession.”

33 Figure8: Inclusion and Participation, Good Governance and Human Rights Inclusion and Participation, Good Governance and Human Rights Inclusion and Participation, Good Governance and Human Rights China

Yot Ou

Phongsaly

Phongsaly h n a h p m a S May Myanmar

Khoua Vietnam Namtha Na Mo

La Luang Namtha 4

k a Add 4 B Ton Pheung Xay Viengkham 16 m a Sobbao Meung 17 4 N 3 Oudomxay7 g y Beng n Xa o y th 5 ua g o Phonthong n H e 18 9 Pha Oudom Nga i Houne 4 Pak Ou 3 V Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh 13 5 Houameuang 3 5 7 4 Samtay Pak Tha Pak Beng 4 ChomphetLuangg PrabangPhonxay 4 n a n b o 7 ra 7 P H g 16 Khob Ngeune n 3 g Hongsa a n u ie L 22 X 3 3 Nong Het 7 Sayaboury

n Nane a 16 Xiangkhouang h 3 t e

s 25 y 7 S a

Khoune Hom Phieng i Vangvieng Thathome Viengthong 2 7 3 Borikhane bouy r a Vientiane a L Xaychamphone k y a 8 3 a P ThongmSixay Pholhong Bolikhamsai 2 Thoulakhom S 6 an 2 gt Hatsayphong ho Khamkeut ng 10 2 3

ngSaysetha1 abo 27 2 hott 2 23 Sik 14 6 21 15 20 24 Kenethao 19 26 22

Boten Yommalath KhammouaneBoualapha 25 Mahaxay Thakhek

Sebangphay Saybouathong

Viraboury 2 Seponh

Outhoumphone K 2 h 11 a n th a b o Nong u r Savannakhet y

Ta Oy Thailand Thapangthong 12 Toumlane Saravane Kaleum 7 Vapy Saravane 7 25 16

SekongLa Mam 7 16 7 Dack Cheung

Pak Se P h 20 o Champassackn th o n g

Champassack Sanamxay 25 Attapeu

34 2.8 Heritage Preservation and Culture Inclusion and Participation, Good Governance and Human Rights eritage preservation goes far beyond the toric sites as part of a wider development process. This China Hpreservation of buildings. Traditional cultural or has helped Luang Prabang to become a popular tourist religious practices equally need attention so that they are destination and an economic hub in the Northern region. not forgotten, particularly at a time of transformation of Support provided through NGOs has also looked at the Yot Ou the Lao Society. This important work rests often on the non-physical cultural heritage, e.g. the performing arts.

Phongsaly shoulders of volunteer organisations and committed in- Germany has been supporting the preservation of Lao dividuals. Several European member states have been palm leaf manuscripts since 1992, assisting in securing Phongsaly h n a h p m a providing support through international and local NGOs the Lao national literary heritage, building local capacity S May to this sector. For example, France has been supporting for field preservation and making the manuscripts and re- Myanmar

Khoua Vietnam preservation efforts in Luang Prabang, the World Heri- lated material available for further research and dissem- Namtha Na Mo tage City in Northern Laos, for 15 years. The concerted ination by putting them online. 800 libraries in temples La Luang Namtha 4 k Add 4 a action of the Government, UNESCO, civil society and de- around the country have been supported, 84.000 texts B Ton Pheung Xay Viengkham 16 m a Sobbao Meung 17 4 N 3 velopment partners has enabled the preservation of his- have been saved, 12.000 books have been digitalized. Oudomxay7 g y Beng n Xa o y th 5 ua g o Phonthong n H e 18 9 Pha Oudom Nga i Houne 4 Pak Ou 3 V Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh 13 5 Houameuang 3 5 7 4 Samtay Pak Tha Pak Beng 4 ChomphetLuangg PrabangPhonxay 4 n a n b o 7 ra 7 P H g 16 Khob Ngeune n 3 g Hongsa a n u ie L 22 X Committee for the Rebirth of the Royal Theatre of Luang Prabang 3 3 Nong Het 7 Sayaboury Social Fund for Development, France n Nane a 16 Xiangkhouang h 3 t e s 25 y 7 S a

Khoune Hom Registered in 2008 as an association and located Phieng i Vangvieng Thathome Viengthong 2 7 3 within the enclosure of the Royal Palace of Luang Borikhane bouy r a Vientiane a L Xaychamphone k y a 8 3 Prabang, the committee is composed of members a P ThongmSixay Pholhong Bolikhamsai 2 Thoulakhom S 6 passionate about Phralak Phralam theatre who an 2 gt Hatsayphong ho Khamkeut ng 10 2 3 support the preservation of the royal ballet, encour- ngSaysetha1 abo 27 2 hott 2 23 Sik 14 6 21 15 20 24 Kenethao 19 26 age its transmission to the new generations and 22 Boten the recognition of this art by a larger public. Yommalath KhammouaneBoualapha 25 Mahaxay Thakhek The association trains new musicians expected

Sebangphay Saybouathong to take over from the 7 remaining musicians, the

Viraboury 2 last retainers of this unique heritage; it furthermore Seponh

Outhoumphone encourages the written transcription of the musical K 2 h 11 a n th heritage which has traditionally been orally trans- a b o Nong u r Savannakhet y mitted and is under threat of disappearing. Ta Oy Thailand Thapangthong 12 Toumlane Saravane Kaleum At present, the association is re-writing the 4 miss- 7 Vapy ing episodes of the Phralak Phralam (or Ramayana) before presenting them to the public at the Royal Theatre. Saravane 7 25 16 With new costumes and renovated masks, new set designs and choreographies on a modernised stage, and SekongLa Mam 7 16 7 with improved acoustics and illumination, the Royal Theatre should attract a wider public. Dack Cheung

Pak Se P h 20 o Champassackn The committee is also setting up a small shopping space as well as an exhibition corner where traditional th o n g instruments, dance clothing and photographic documents will be shown. Champassack Sanamxay 25 Attapeu

35 Figure9: Heritage Preservation and Culture

Heritage Preservation and Culture Heritage Preservation and Culture China

Yot Ou

Phongsaly

Phongsaly h n a h p m a S May Myanmar

Khoua Vietnam Namtha Na Mo Luang Namtha La

k a Add B Ton Pheung Xay

m Viengkham a Sobbao Meung N

Oudomxay g y Beng n Xa o y th ua g Ho Phonthong n Nga ie Pha Oudom Houne Pak Ou V Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh Houameuang

Samtay Pak Tha Pak Beng ChomphetLuangg PrabangPhonxay n a n b o ra P H g 1 Khob Ngeune n g Hongsa a n u 3 ie L X Nong Het Sayaboury

n Nane a Xiangkhouang h t e s y S a

1 Khoune Hom Phieng i Vangvieng Thathome Viengthong

Borikhane y a Vientiane L Xaychamphone k 2 a ayaPbour ThongmSixay Pholhong Bolikhamsai Thoulakhom S 1 an gt Hatsayphong ho Khamkeut ng

ngSaysetha abo hott Sik Kenethao

Boten Yommalath Khammouane1 Boualapha Mahaxay Thakhek

Sebangphay Saybouathong

Viraboury Seponh

Outhoumphone

K h a n th 1 a b o Nong u r Savannakhet y

Ta Oy Thailand Thapangthong Toumlane Saravane Kaleum

Vapy Saravane 1

SekongLa Mam

Dack Cheung

Pak Se P h 2 1 o Champassackn th o n 4 g Champassack Sanamxay Attapeu

36 3 EU DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION WITH CIVIL Heritage Preservation and Culture SOCIETY/NGOS China 3.1 The European Union

Yot Ou he EU Member States and the European Com The documents above reflect how the European Com- mission have a long tradition of dialogue with mission and the European Member States approach Phongsaly T civil society organisations, and supporting their project collaboration with and support to Civil Society in partner Phongsaly h n a h p m a S activities. countries. May Myanmar There have been a range of EU policies centred on co-

Khoua Vietnam Namtha operation with Non-Government Organisations and civil Na Mo 3.2 The European Commission Luang Namtha La society (sometimes also referred to as Non-State Actors) k a Add B Ton Pheung Xay m Viengkham he European Commission is the executive a Sobbao such as "Participation of non-state actors in European Meung N

Oudomxay g y n body of the European Union. Since the begin- a Beng o y X h Commission development policy" of 2002 and the re- T t ua g Ho Phonthong n Nga ie Pha Oudom Houne Pak Ou V ning of 2011, and European institutional reform following Bokeo Pak Seng Houaphanh cent Structured Dialogue outcome documents (2011). Houameuang

Samtay the Lisbon Treaty, European Union development coop- Pak Tha Pak Beng Additionally, the European Consensus on Development ChomphetLuangg PrabangPhonxay n a n b o ra P eration is now developed, administered and implement-

H g 1 Khob Ngeune n formulated in 2005 and the 'Agenda for Change' (2011) g Hongsa a n u 3 ie L X ed by the European Commission’s Directorate General Nong Het along with other internationally agreed policies (such as Sayaboury n Nane a Xiangkhouang

h (DG) Development and Cooperation – EuropeAid (DG t the Millennium Declaration), acknowledge the pivotal role e s y

S a DevCo). Prior to Lisbon, development cooperation was 1 Khoune civil society plays in all stages of the strategies, policies Hom Phieng i split between DG Development Cooperation (primarily Vangvieng Thathome Viengthong and implementation of development cooperation. The EU

Borikhane responsible for development policy) and DG EuropeAid y a Vientiane supports the building capacity of Non-Government Or- L Xaychamphone k 2 a ayaPbour (primarily responsible for administration and implementa- ThongmSixay Pholhong Bolikhamsai ganisations in order to strengthen their voice in the devel- Thoulakhom S 1 a ng tion of projects). t Hatsayphong ho Khamkeut opment process and to advance political, social and eco- ng

ongSaysetha ttab ikho nomic dialogue. The EU also recognises and supports S Kenethao The European Commission (EC) has a long-standing the key role of civil society in promoting poverty reduc- Boten relationship and cooperation with non-governmental Yommalath tion, good governance and democracy and sustainable Khammouane1 Boualapha and other civil society organisations as well as with local Mahaxay Thakhek development, as well as in working in key development and decentralised authorities in the field of development Saybouathong Sebangphay areas. The EU encourages Northern Non Government going back to 1976. The share of the annual Overseas Viraboury Seponh Organisations to continue providing their know-how to

Outhoumphone other development actors and to move from implement- K h a n th 1 a b o Nong u ing projects towards capacity building by assisting their r Savannakhet y

Ta Oy partners in developing countries Thailand Thapangthong Toumlane Saravane Kaleum EU assistance should support the emergence of organ- Vapy Saravane 1 ised local civil society in partner countries able to act as a SekongLa Mam partner in dialogue with national governments.

Dack Cheung

Pak Se A parallel Communication, also published in 2005, ex- P h 2 1 o Champassackn th o n 4 g plained the role of thematic programmes in development Champassack Sanamxay Attapeu cooperation. EU thematic programmes in the context of development cooperation cover the areas of democra- cy and human rights, human and social development, environment and sustainable management of natural resources including energy, non-state actors in develop- ment, food security, migration and asylum.

37 Development Aid (ODA) of the European Commission international mechanisms for the protection of human managed by or with Non State Actors, has always been rights. significant. Since May 2011, a "Structured Dialogue" - The Instrument for Stability (IfS) is a strategic tool with civil society has been set up, designed to improve designed to address a number of global security mutual knowledge, share lessons learnt and enable a cli- and development challenges in complement to geo- mate of confidence and trust among various stakeholders graphic instruments. In force since 1 January 2007, engaged in EU development cooperation. The dialogue it replaces several instruments in the fields of drugs, aimed to improve the effectiveness of the partnership be- mines, uprooted people, crisis management, rehabil- tween the EU, civil society and local authorities, in line itation and reconstruction. with the aid and development effectiveness agenda. - Under the Development Cooperation Instrument Civil society/NGOs and the broader set of non-state (DCI), civil society organisations can apply for grants actors (NSAs) are privileged partners of the European through call for proposals from a range of thematic Commission, which encourages them to work towards programmes: better governance and more participatory development, increasingly involving citizens through their specific, often • “Non-State Actors (NSA) and Local Authorities (LA) complementary, approaches. in Development” that pursues three main objectives: i) to promote an inclusive and empowered soci- At present, the European Commission can collaborate ety in partner countries that will facilitate non-state with civil society organisations through a range of instru- actor and local authority participation in poverty re- ments and budget lines: duction and sustainable development strategies; ii) - The European Instrument for Democracy and Human to promote development education and awareness Rights (EIDHR) can grant aid where no established of development issues in the EU and the acceding development cooperation exists, and can intervene countries and iii) to facilitate coordination and com- without the agreement of the governments of third munication of non-state actor and local authority net- countries. It can support groups or individuals with- works in the EU and the acceding countries. in civil society defending democracy as well as in- • Environment and Sustainable Management of Natu- tergovernmental organisations that implement the

38 ral Resources including energy (ENRTP) which aims tries in their efforts to ensure better management of at i) integrating environmental protection require- migratory flows in all their dimensions and puts the ments into the Community's development and other emphasis on capacity building in countries of origin external policies and ii) helping promote the Commu- and transit and encourages cooperation initiatives to nity’s environmental and energy policies abroad in develop and share experience, working methods and the common interest of the Community and partner best practices regarding various aspects of migra- countries and regions. tion. • Food Security (FSTP), which aims at improving food • Investing in People aims to support actions in the security of the poorest and the most vulnerable under area of human and social development, in particu- a medium and longer-term perspective and at leading lar: education, health, gender equality, social cohe- to sustainable solutions. It addresses food security at sion, employment, childhood and youth, as well as global, continental and regional levels. culture. This is the only thematic programme which covers nearly all the Millennium Development Goals • Migration and Asylum that aims to support third coun- (MDGs).

In summary: civil society organisations can receive grants from various budget lines and instruments of the European Commission through competitive calls for proposals that can be published i) by the EU Delega- tion in country; ii) by an EU regional office or iii) by the EC in Brussels headquarters. Almost systematically, CSO’s are required to co-finance projects supported under these instruments.

- The Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil level. International and local NGOs can submit proposals Protection (DG-ECHO) is the world's biggest humanitari- under these calls. Other Calls for Proposals are managed an donor inside and outside Europe and has a privileged centrally in Brussels. Information about all ongoing Calls partnership with Civil Society Organisations. In order to for Proposals is regularly published on the DG Develop- respond to humanitarian crises and to prevent disasters, ment webpage. DG ECHO cooperates with over 190 non-governmental In Lao PDR, there are currently 5 projects under the organisations. In partnership with these organisations, FSTP (€ 5.3 Million); 14 under the NSA-LA (€ 7.5 Million); ECHO has a fast response capacity allowing funding and 7 under the EIDHR (€ 1.3 Million); and 1 project (€ 3 Mil- staff to be rapidly deployed to where help is most needed. lion) under another budget line. DG ECHO is currently The European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid (2007) funding 8 projects (€ 2.6 Million). stresses the importance of local partners in the field, in particular civil society. In practical terms, ECHO estab- lishes partnerships with pre-selected non-governmental 3.3 France organisations who are well positioned to implement hu- France is presently supporting 17 NPA and 9 INGO proj- manitarian operations on their own responsibility or with ects, several in co-financing with the European Commis- local partners. These partners are then invited to submit sion, for a total amount of EUR 3 million in the fields of proposals in an emergency situation. health, culture, justice, gender, rural development, NPA The three thematic programmes which have had the capacity building and UXO. most relevance to Lao PDR were introduced in 2006: the France uses two principal instruments to finance civil so- Food Security Thematic Programme (FSTP), the Europe- ciety in Lao PDR. an Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), and the Non-State Actors/Local Authorities (NSA-LA) in The French government, through the Agence Française Development thematic programme. For these, calls for de Dévelopment, finances French NGOs projects for proposals are usually launched and managed at country in-country and multi-country actions. This support rep-

39 resents a portfolio of more than 2 million euros for 9 on- going projects in the field of maternal and child health (Médecins du Monde), Lao lawyers capacity building (Avocats Sans Frontières), human and women trafficking (AFESIP), oral health (Aide Odontologique Internatio- nale), support to the bamboo sector (GRET) and to the silk sector (Service Fraternel d’Entraide), cluster muni- tions (Handicap International) etc. The calls for proposals are managed from the headquarters in Paris. Since 2010, the French Embassy to Laos has supported Lao civil society through the Social Fund for Develop- ment (SFD). With a budget of 1 million euro for the period 2010-2013, it has so far funded 17 Laotian associations in various areas of interventions as follows: - Health and Handicap: Lao Positive Health As- sociation (in Vientiane, Savannakhet and ), Lao 3.4 Netherlands Disabled Women Development Center (in ), Oudomxay People Disabled Association, Lao The Dutch government provides funding assistance in Red Cross (first aid and road safety project in Vientiane), the region through the Human Rights Fund and the Small Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (Vien- Grants Fund, managed by the embassy in . Proj- tiane), Lao Deaf and Hard of Hearing Unit (Vientiane, Sa- ect proposals are welcome all year round and selected vannakhet, Luang Prabang, Champassak, Oudomxay), by an embassy committee. The Small Grants Fund has Epilepsy association in Laos (Vientiane and Laos) been suspended since the beginning of 2012 while the Human Rights Fund has been exclusively focused on - Culture and Arts: Hip-hop band Lao Bang Fai, Myanmar only. Thus, development funding is no longer Association of the Royal Theater of Luang Prabang, available for Lao, nor Cambodia and Thailand. Phonsinuane Volunteer Group, Shadow Theater Associ- ation in Champassak - Rural development and biodiversity: Silk pro- 3.5 United Kingdom ducers grouping in Sekong, Association of Ethnic Women The United Kingdom finances de-mining activities through in Bokeo, Cornacs Association of Hongsa, Friends of Pha the Department for International Development (DFID) - Tad Ke’s Botanical Garden in Luang Prabang 2.5 million pounds over 2.5 years from June 2011. The - Gender: Gender Development Association UK is also funding three provincial consultations by civil (Vientiane province) society organisations in advance of the Asia Europe Peo- ples Forum held in October 2012. - The SFD funds the Association of Lao Asso- ciations, hosted at the Learning House, which supports newly constituted associations. The Fund has supported 3.6 Germany the formal establishment of new associations and has German de¬velop¬ment co¬operation with partner contributed to the implementation of activities particularly countries rests on two pillars: it is either initiated and relevant to the social and economical context of Laos. organised by the German govern¬ment, or devised and The Fund has also enabled the constitution of new asso- im¬ple¬mented in¬de-pendently by non-govern¬mental ciations. organisations. Non-governmental cooperation is funded by various groups and organisations, and organised by

40 Finally, the German Embassy has an annual fund for small-scale development projects (budget up to 8.000 euro per project). These are mostly implemented by NGOs based in Lao PDR. Please contact the Embassy for further information.

3.7 Luxemburg Five Luxembourg NGOs supported by the Ministry of For- eign Affairs are currently active in Lao PDR: Aide au dével- oppement de la santé; Amitiés Luxembourg-Amérique latine ; CARE Luxembourg ; Fondation Caritas Luxem- bourg and Handicap International Luxembourg. The seven projects in the sectors of health, food securi- ty local development and education benefit populations them under their own responsibility. This cooperation is in Vientiane, Sayabouri, Phongsaly, Xieng Khouang, financed partly by the inputs of the organisations and Khammouane, and Savannakhet with a total budget of partly by state subsidies. Responsibility for the imple- € 2,637,700. mentation of the projects lies in the hands of the non-gov- In addition, Luxembourg supports Lao civil society or- ernmental organisations. Despite the government grants, ganisations via a micro-credit scheme. In 2012, three they remain fully independent. projects are supported through i) the Disadvantaged The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and De- Women Development Fund of Saravan Province (DWDF- velopment (BMZ) finances development projects imple- SP) ii) the Lao Biodiversity Association (LBA) and iii) the mented by German and international non government Non-Deposit Taking Microfinance Institution organisations through a variety of budget lines. Please (MFI-HD) with a combined budget of € 37,600. consult the BMZ website (www.bmz.bund.de) for further information. Applicants are welcome to contact the Em- bassy before sending their project proposals to BMZ. 3.8 Ireland The Irish Embassy in , Vietnam was established Humanitarian operations are funded by the German Fed- in 2006 and manages aid programmes in Vietnam, Lao eral Foreign Office. The budget line for humanitarian aid PDR and Cambodia. Ireland has supported UXO clear- cannot be used to finance longer-term development co- ance in Lao PDR since 2006. Initially funds were chan- operation or structural assistance. Non-governmental or- nelled partly through UNDP’s cost sharing modality for ganizations which apply for funding are expected to have the national government clearance operator, UXO Lao, experience in humanitarian aid and in managing dona- and partly through (MAG) to pro- tions or public funds. They must be non-profit-making and vide technical assistance to UXO Lao. Since 2010, all accept the Federal Government’s guidelines for funding funding (€500,000/year) has been through the UNDP-ad- and accounting. To establish whether or not a relief ef- ministered Trust Fund for the Full Implementation of the fort can be financed using the humanitarian aid budget, Convention on Cluster Munitions. It is intended to con- please contact the German Embassy before applying. tinue un-earmarked contributions to this Trust Fund until Human rights projects and projects with the aim of pre- 2015. The Trust Fund includes a window for support to serving the Lao cultural heritage are also financed by the civil society/non government organisations. In addition, Federal Foreign Office. Interested Lao non-governmental Irish Aid operates a HQ-based civil society fund. This has organizations or individuals should contact the German funded a small number of NGO partners in Lao. Embassy. 41 4. ONGOING NGO ACTIVITIES WITH SUPPORT FROM EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS

Table2: Ongoing NGO Activities with support from EU DP

No. Title Planned amount € Sector Action location

EU - DEVCO:

1 Leveraging Primary Health Care: demonstrat- 503,546.00 Health & Education Sayaboury – 11 Districts ing return on investment for human resources for health at the grassroots Luang Prabang – 2 Districts

2 Leveraging the grassroots: achieving MDGs 1,000,000.00 Health & Education Luang Prabang - 7 Districts through comprehensive Primary Health Care Sayaboury - 11 districts in 18 Northern Districts

3 Integrated Upland Development in Nonghet 710,267.20 Rural Livelihoods and Nonghet District, Xieng (UDIN) Food Security, Nutrition Khouang Province

4 Dakcheung Food Security Project 977,282.00 Rural Livelihoods and Dakcheung district, Sekong Food Security, Nutrition Province

5 Sustainable Food Security Development 846,084.00 Rural Livelihoods and Yot Ou district, Phongsaly Project Food Security, Nutrition province

6 Support to Vulnerable HH`s food security and 778,752.00 Rural Livelihoods and Sayaboury – 2 Districts (Xieng- nutrition in Xienghonr and Hongsa districts, Food Security, Nutrition hone and Hongsa) Sayaboury Province

7 The right to health, water and food of 255,000.00 Health & Education Toomlane, Vapi and Ta Oy indigenous populations in remote regions of Districts, Saravan Province Lao PDR

8 Secure water to secure food and nutrition 1,977,136.92 Rural Livelihoods and Lao PDR, Sayabouri Prov- Food Security, Nutrition ince – 2 Districts

Cambodia, Oddar Meanchey Province – 2 districts

9 Strengthening Local Governance and 1,000,000.00 Health & Education Pha Oudom, Meung, Paktha Participation for the Realization of Children`s districts, Bokeo Province Right to Eduction

10 Promoting mental health and development in 332,044.00 Health & Education Khamkeuth, Viengthong Borikhamxay Province and Bolikhanh districts in Borikhamxay Province

11 Improving access to education for children 388,677.00 Health & Education – 7 with disabilities in Oudomxay districts

12 Strengthening the initiatives of government 692,557.00 Unexploded Ordnance Nong, Sepon and Virabuly Dis- and others to respond to the UXO Threat tricts, Savannakhet Province

13 Oudomxay Community Health Development 269,542.60 Health & Education Oudomxay Province – 7 Project districts

14 Rural community empowerment through 749,367.00 Health & Education Bokeo Province - 5 districts health promotion, dialogue and capacity building of local Red Cross and local authori- ties in Lao PDR

15 Capacity Building of Local Authorities in Dis- 600,000.00 Unexploded Ordnance – 5 trict Focused Approach to the Management districts of UXO contamination

42 4. ONGOING NGO ACTIVITIES WITH SUPPORT FROM EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS

16 Pro-Poor Water Supply Sanitation Hygiene 241,680.00 Health & Education Sepon and Villabouli Districts, (WASH) for Health Improvements in Priority Savanakhet Province Poor Districts, Savanakhet Province, Lao PDR

17 Support to the implementation of the Houa- 1,000,000.00 Rural Livelihoods and Houaphanh - 3 Districts phanh Provincial Bamboo Sector Develop- Food Security, Nutrition ment Strategy

18 Participation to the reinforcement of the 177,714.00 Inclusion and participa- Vientiane Capital lawyer’s profession in LAO PDR. tion, Good Governance & Human rights

19 Strengthening the role and capacity of 100,000.00 Inclusion and participa- Vientiane Capital - 3 districts: the Lao Disabled People Association in tion, Good Governance Vientiane Province - 3 districts promoting the rights of People with Disability & Human rights Savanakhet Province - 2 in Lao PDR. districts

20 Children as Agents of Change 142,500.00 Inclusion and participa- Sayaboury – 3 districts tion, Good Governance Luang Prabang – 4 districts & Human rights Bolikhamsay - 3 districts

21 Better Life of Disabled People in Hom Dis- 89,099.26 Health & Education Hom District, Vientiane trict, Vientiane Province, Lao PDR Province

22 Improving the Livelihoods of People With 332,947.00 Inclusion and participa- Oudomxay Province – 7 Disabilities and Especially Women through tion, Good Governance districts Peer Training for Employment & Human rights

23 Building civil society from the village up: 300,000.00 Inclusion and participa- Bokeo Province – 3 districts participation, rights and gender equity for tion, Good Governance ethnic group adolescents & Human rights

24 ChildSafe Citizens - Building the capacity 160,875.39 Inclusion and participa- Vientiane Capital and Vientiane of Lao civil society to promote and protect tion, Good Governance Province children`s rights & Human rights

25 Strengthening the Role and Capacity of the 98,156.00 Inclusion and participa- Xayabury – 2districts Lao Disabled People`s Association to pro- tion, Good Governance mote human rights of women with disabilities & Human rights Luang Prabang – 3 districts in the Lao PDR. Oudomxay – 1 district Saravane – 1 district Sekong – 3 districts

26 Programme to Enable and Advance Civic 300,000.00 Inclusion and participa- Vientiane Capital Engagement (PEACE) tion, Good Governance & Human rights

27 Promoting appropriate technology for Rural Livelihoods and Laos - Attapeu smallholders to increase food security among 3,062,627.00 Food Security, Nutrition indigenous peoples (Annadya) Cambodia - Ratanakiri

EU - ECHO:

28 Emergency Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and 100,000.00 WASH, shelter Khammuane Shelter Assistance to Communities affected by Flooding caused by Tropical Storm Nock-Ten

29 Provision of emergency humanitarian aid to 399,090.00 Food assistance, Khammuane and Bolikhamxay the victims of typhoons and other hydro-me- WASH teorological disasters in Bolikhamxay and Khammoun of Laos

43 30 Assistance to rural vulnerable population 250,000.00 Food & Livelihoods Khammounane affected by the Typhoon Haima in Lao PDR

31 Emergency assistance and prevention/mitiga- 187,219.00 Health & Education Attapeu tion measures to manage Malaria outbreak in Attapeu Province, Lao PDR

32 Early Recovery for the Victims of Typhoons 559,556.00 Food & Livelihoods, Bolikhamxay and other Hydro-Meteorological Disasters in WASH Bolikhamxay Province of Laos

33 Recovery and resilience for the flood affected 286,000.00 Food & Livelihoods, Khammouane communities by 2011 Nock Ten tropical storm Disaster preparedness

34 Enhancing Local Capacities in Disaster Risk 431,000.00 Disaster Preparedness Vientiane Capital Reduction in Vientiane Province

35 Community based disaster management in 429,000.00 Disaster Preparedness Attapeu Attapeu province, Lao PDR

France:

36 Advocacy on cluster munitions and support to 44,560.00 Health & Education Vientiane Capital the COPE Visitor Center

37 Support to the employment of HIV-AIDS 63,164.00 Health & Education Vientiane Capital, Savannaketh affected families and Pakse

38 Danse and body expression for social change 63,200.00 Heritage Preservation Savannakhet, Pakse, Takek, and culture Luanprabang, Saravane, Sayaboury, Vientiane

39 Support to the network of local associations 61,912.00 Inclusion and participa- Vientiane tion, Good Governance & Human rights

40 Support to the cornacs association 31,332.00 Rural Livelihoods , Sayaboury and Food Security, Province Nutrition, Business

41 Improve social inclusion of marginalised and 17,420.00 Heritage Preservation Vientiane and Champassak vulnerable youth through arts and culture

42 Promoting Inclusive Education for disabled 50,592.00 Health & Education Oudomxay province children from 3 to 11 in Oudoumxay province

43 Vocational training and Basic Health Train- 28,656.00 Health & Education, Vientiane Capital ings for women with disabilities Business

44 Restructuring the Phralak Phralam theatre of 47,770.00 Heritage Preservation Luang Prabang and culture

45 Improve ethnic rural communities’ quality of 70 000 Inclusion and participa- Bokeo Province life in Bokeo tion, Good Governance & Human rights

46 Mobilise young volunteers of the Lao Red 65,080.00 Health & Education Vientiane Capital Cross to the benefits of road safety and first aid promotion in Vientiane

47 Raise awareness on gender related violence 57,448.00 Inclusion and participa- Savanakhet, Bokeo province and improve women’s status tion, Good Governance and Vientiane Capital & Human rights

48 Support the silk production in Southern Laos 28,059.00 Rural Livelihoods and Food Security, Nutrition

49 Raise awareness on biodiversity and en- 54,160.00 Rural Livelihoods and Luang Prabang courage the preservation of herbal medicinal Food Security, Nutrition products of Laos

50 Preserve the Shadow Theatre of Champas- 50,400.00 Heritage Preservation Champassak sak and culture

44 51 Decrease stigmatisation of people living 57,611.00 Health & Education Vientiane Capital with epilepsy and facilitate their access to treatment

52 Encourage the inclusion of deaf and hard of 44,560.00 Health & Education Vientiane, Savannakhet, hearing people in the society Luang Prabang, Champassak, Oudomxay

53 Improvement of dental health in Laos 393,500.00 Health Vientiane Capital

54 Improve sanitary conditions of vulnerable 678,351.00 Health Sayaboury and Vientiane communities in Xienghone and Hom districts Provinces

55 Support to bamboo sector development in 306,266.00 Agriculture Huaphane Hua-Phan province

56 Improve access to water : Water supply 400,000.00 Water & Sanitation Vientiane Capital network project

57 Capacity building for the lawyer profession 137,434.00 Governance-Legal Vientiane Capital in LAO PDR Sector

58 Strengthen government and other stakehold- 224,507.00 UXO Savannakhet ers initiatives to fight against UXO

59 Project against human trafficking and sexual 523,579.00 Community and Social Vientiane Capital and Cham- exploitation Welfare passak

60 Maternal health program 525,000.00 Health Champassak

61 Strengthen the network “solidarity and 176,000.00 Business Xiengkhouang, Luangprabang, economy” Vientiane, Savannakhet, Sara- van, Champassak and Attapeu

62 Support to silk production 247,000.00 Business Sekong, Luang Nam Tha

63 Integrated rural development in Kham- 195,581.00 Rural Development Khammouane mouane province

Finland:

64 Improving primary education 200,000.00 Education Bokeo

65 Quest College Vocational School 41,000.00 Education Vientiane Capital

66 Community encouragement programme 135,000.00 Inclusion and participa- Savannakhet tion, Good Governance & Human rights

67 Community health education programme 160,000.00 Health Northern Laos

68 Secondary school development programme 130,000.00 Education Savannakhet

69 Power through empowerment building 150,000.00 Micro-Credit, Small En- Xiengkhuang Pico-hydro power capacity from bottom up terprise Development and Trade

Germany:

70 Poverty eradication and NPA promotion in 365,000.00 Rural Livelihoods and Sepon District, Savannakhet Sepon District, Savannakhet Province Food Security, Nutrition Province

71 Poverty eradication and NPA promotion 560,000.00 Rural Livelihoods and Sepon District, Savannakhet Food Security, Nutrition Province

72 Humanitarian UXO clearance, Khamkeut 769,180.00 Unexploded Ordnance , Bolikhamxay District, Bolikhamxay Province Province

73 Community System Development Project, 80,000.00 Inclusion and participa- Thanpangthong District, Savan- Thanpangthong District, Savannakhet tion, Good Governance nakhet Province Province & Human rights

45 74 Improving the living conditions of indigenous 110,000.00 Inclusion and participa- Bokeo women in Bokeo Province tion, Good Governance & Human rights

75 Regional Programme to support ASEAN inte- 900,000.00 Inclusion and participa- Vientiane Capital and Luang gration (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, tion, Good Governance Prabang Cambodia, Malaysia) & Human rights

76 Dialog on social justice, sustainable devel- 487,500.00 Inclusion and participa- Vientiane Capital opment and alternative development models tion, Good Governance in the transformation countries of East and & Human rights Southeast Asia (China, Mongolia, Koreas, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos)

77 Promotion and support of Self-help and 953,801.00 Trade, Small Enterprise Vientiane capital; Bolikhamxay; Cooperative Systems in Asia Development and and Savannaketh Micro-Credit

78 Sustainable Management of Resources in 214,485.00 Health & Education Vientiane Capital Asia (Basic Sanitation and decentralised wastewater treatment)

79 Promotion of Adult Education in Asia 810,000.00 Health & Education Vientiane Capital and Nong district, Savannaketh province

80 Promotion of health care in rural areas (Wa- 446,460.00 Health & Education ter and sanitation, health awareness)

81 Building and equipping primary schools 149,325.00 Health & Education District Khamkeut, Bolikhamxay in the village Khouan Chanh, Installing a Province water supply system in the village Nadeua, District Khamkeut, Bolikhamxay Province (complementary to Humanitarian Mine Action Programme, cf. above)

82 Women & Family Development Fund, 730,000.00 Trade, Small Enterprise Vientiane capital; Vientiane Support to Microfinance Working Group Development and province and Bolikhamxay (MFWG) and Microfinance Center as part Micro-Credit province of the Regional Project “Creating a regional microfinance network” (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar)

83 Development of the blood donation network 450,000.00 Health & Education Champasak – 1 district in five Provinces Sekong – 1 district Saravan – 1 district Phongsaly – 1district Xayaboury – 1 district

84 UXO LAO 271,911.00 Unexploded Ordnance Luang Prabang Province

85 German Embassy: Fund for Small-Scale approx. 60.000 n/a n/a Projects

Luxembourg:

86 Continued post-surgery of valvular rheumatic 1,500,000.00 Education Vientiane Capital and congenital heart disease

87 Accompanying measures to the initiation of 19,156.95 Natural Resourcer Xayaboury an ecotourism project involving elephants in Management, Environ- the district Xayabouri ment, Climate Change

88 Reproductive Health Access in Ethnic Com- 138,260.33 Health Phongsaly munities in Khua District -Phongsaly

89 Forward-looking Food security support in the 123,513.91 Rural Livelihoods and , Sekong Dak Cheung (Sekong province) Food Security, Nutrition

46 90 From vulnerability to resilience (V2R) 448,000.00 Rural development , Xiengkhuang Province

91 Poor farmer families improve their food 128,000.00 Rural Livelihoods and Saybouathong District, Kham- security Food Security, Nutrition mouane

92 Prevention, early detection and intervention 280,000.00 Health Savannakhet for children with disabilities or at risk (0-7 years)

93 Catalyzing Rice Bank for Food Security and 13,367.00 Food security Saravan Poverty Alleviation of the Ethnic Poor in Priority Poor District of Saravan Province

94 Clean water system and school equipments 15,000.00 Water & sanitation Phongsaly for LAFUCHAY village project,

95 Expanding economic opportunities for ethnic 9,300.00 Rural Livelihoods and Vientiane Capital rural farmers living in Hom district (340 Food Security, Nutrition households)

Austria:

96 Responding to the UXO Threat in Laos - n/a Conflict, peace & Vientiane Capital development of a 10 year demining plan for security Laos

97 NGO/EU cofinance: Education and training n/a Basic Health Bokeo for the population and access to clean water/ sanitary measures to improve the health situation in Bokeo province

Belgium:

98 Réadaptation à base communautaire (RBC) n/a Other Social Infrastruc- Vientiane ture & Services

99 Appui aux associations de personnes en n/a Other Social Infrastruc- Vientiane situation de handicap dans le Sud ture & Services

100 Contraindre les employeurs à mieux respec- n/a Other Social Infrastruc- Vientiane ter les droits du travail ture & Services

101 Sécurité routière n/a Transport & Storage Vientiane

102 Santé maternelle et infantile n/a Health, General Vientiane

103 D’ici 2010, VECO Laos a appris de ses expé- n/a Agriculture Vientiane riences dans le développement de filières

104 Pour 2010 les paysans organisés influence n/a Agriculture Vientiane les décideurs publique et privé avec succes

105 Pour 2010 des filières agricoles durables n/a Agriculture Vientiane dans lesquelles producteurs organisés influencent les relations commerciales et leurs revenus

106 Producteurs locaux utilisent davantage n/a Agriculture Vientiane opportunités existantes et nouvelles pour obtenir accès, marchés, terre, sémences

107 Subside de la province Vlaams-Brabant: n/a Other Social Infrastruc- Vientiane droits de travail ture & Services

108 Loterie Nationale -- OMD’s Pour le droit n/a Other Social Infrastruc- Vientiane à la santé, à l’eau et à l’alimentation des ture & Services populations indigènes vivant dans les régions reculées du Laos

47 109 Aide des communes flamandes n/a Unallocated / Unspec- Vientiane ified

Denmark:

110 Democratic participation and civil society n/a Government & Civil Vientiane Society-general

111 Basic health care n/a Basic Health Vientiane

112 Democratic participation and civil society n/a Government & Civil Vientiane Society-general

113 Democratic participation and civil society n/a Government & Civil Vientiane Society-general

114 Democratic participation and civil society n/a Government & Civil Vientiane Society-general

115 Std control including hiv/aids n/a Population Pol./Progr. & Vientiane Reproductive Health

Netherlands:

116 Training judges from Laos 50,000.00 Government & Civil Vientiane Society-general

117 Beekeeper school 15,730.00 Agriculture Oudomxay and Phongsaly provinces

118 Expanding Horizon 1,960.00 Education , Luang Namtha province

119 Viv Ncaug : A mentorship project 7,488.00 Community and Social Vientiane Welfare

120 Economic assistance for UXO and andmine 50,000.00 UXO Sekong and Khammouane survivors

121 Strengthening capacity of disabled people Community and Social Saravan, Sekong, Oudomxay, association 20,000.00 Welfare Luang Prabang, Xayaboury

122 Environment awareness raising and food Community and Social Oudomxay security project 13,766.00 Welfare, Agriculture

123 Community Support 25,000.00 Community and Social Bokeo Welfare

UK:

124 Accountable Grant CSCF0348: Mental Health n/a Government & Civil Vientiane Capital and Development in the Lao PDR Society-general

125 UXO clearance 2,167,750.00 Conflict, peace & Xieng Khouang security

126 Provincial consultations for AEPF n/a Government & Civil Xieng Khouang, Khammouane, Society-general Artapeu, Sekong

48 5. TO KNOW MORE

Useful EU Development websites - Structured Dialogue: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/who/partners/civil-society/structured-dialogue_en.htm - Civil Society Helpdesk (CISOH) https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/aidco/index.php/Main_Page - Food Security http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/how/finance/dci/food_en.htm - ENRTP http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/how/finance/dci/environment_en.htm - NSA-LA: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/how/finance/dci/non_state_actors_en.htm - EIDHR: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/how/finance/eidhr_en.htm - Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/how-does-it-work/financial-assistance/civil-society_en.htm - ECHO http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm - Calls for Proposals: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/work/funding/index_en.htm Useful French Development Websites - AFD http://www.afd.fr/home/AFD/nospartenaires/ONG/solliciter-une-subvention http://www.afd.fr/home/pays/asie/geo-asie/laos/afd-laos - Fonds Social de Dévelopment http://www.ambafrance-laos.org/Fonds-Social-pour-le-Developpement Useful German Development Websites - Civil Society Helpdesk https://www.bmz.de/en/service/contact/index.php - Humanitarian Aid http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Aussenpolitik/HumanitaereHilfe/Uebersicht_node.html - Human Rights Projects http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Aussenpolitik/Menschenrechte/Aktuell/Projektfinanzierung_node.html - Preservation of Cultural Heritage http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Aussenpolitik/KulturDialog/ZieleUndPartner/Kulturerhalt_node.html Useful Luxembourg Development Websites - Development Cooperation and Sector Strategies http://cooperation.mae.lu/fr/Politique-de-Cooperation-et-d-Action-humanitaire/Strategies-et-orientations - NGO's Platform http://cercle.lu/

49 6. EU AND MEMBER STATE REPRESENTATION ACCREDITED TO LAO PDR

Delegation of the European Union 5th Fl., Sihom Commerce Centre Building, http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/laos/index_en.htm Avenue Vientiane Lao PDR P.O. Box: 9325 Tel: (856 21) 241 134 Fax: (856 21) 241 125; 241 137 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Austria 14 Soi Nandha, Off Soi Sathorn 1, South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120 P.O. Box 1155, Suan Plu, Bangkok 10121, Thailand Tel: (662) 303 6057-9 Fax: (662) 287 3925 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Belgium Sathorn Square 16th Floor www.diplomatie.be/bangkok 98 Norh Sathorn Road Bangkok 10500 Thailand Tel +66 2 108 1800-4 Fax +66 2 108 1808 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Cyprus 2-13-2, Ta Yuan Diplomatic Office Building, 14 Mang Ma He Nan Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China, 100600 Tel: (8610) 6532 5057-59 Fax: (8610) 6532 4244 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Czech Republic 71/6 Ruam Rudee Soi 2, www.mfa.cz/bangkok Ploenchit Toad, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: (662) 255 3027, 255 5060 Fax: (662) 253 7637 Email: [email protected]

50 Embassy of Denmark 17-19 Dien Bien Phu Street Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: (844) 823 1888 Fax: (844) 823 1999 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Finland Amarin Tower, 16th Fl. www.finland.or.th 500 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathum Wan Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: (662) 250 8801 Fax: (662) 250 8802Email: [email protected]

Embassy of France Rue www.ambafrance-laos.org PO BOX 06 Vientiane Lao PDR Tel: (856 21) 267 400 Fax: (856 21) 267 429, 267 439, 267 449 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Germany 26 Sokpaluang Road P.O. Box: 314 Vientiane Lao PDR Tel: (856 21) 312 110, 312 111 Fax: (856 21) 351 152 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Greece Unit No. 25/5-9, 9th Fl. BKI/YWCA Building 25 South Sathorn Road Bangkok 10120, Thailand Tel: (662) 6791 462 Fax: (662) 6791 463 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Hungary Daeha Business Centre www.mfa.gov.hu\emb\hanoi 12th Fl., 360 Kim Ma Street Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: (844) 3771 5714-15 Fax: (844) 3771 5716 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

51 Embassy of Ireland 2nd Floor, Sentinel Place 41A Ly Thai Street, Hoan Kiem District. Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: +84 (4) 3974 3291 ext 103 Fax: +84 (4) 3974 3295 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Italy 399 Nang Linchee Road www.ambbangkok.esteri.it Thung Mahamek Bangkok 10120, Thailand Tel: (662) 285 4090-3 Fax: (662) 285 4793 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Luxembourg Q House Lumpini, 17th Fl., http://bangkok.mae.lu/en 1 South Sathorn Road Thung Mahamek Sathorn, Bangkok 10120, Thailand Tel: (662) 677 7360 Fax: (662) 677 7364 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of the Netherlands 15 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Road, www.mfa.nl/ban Lumpini, Pathum Wan Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: (662) 309 5200 Fax: (662) 309 5205 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Poland 100/81-82, 25th Fl., Vongvannij Building B www.bangkok.polemb.or.net Rama 9 Road, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand Tel: (662) 645 0367-9 Fax: (662) 645 0365 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Portugal 26 Bush Lane (Soi New Road 30) New Road, P.O. Box 742, Bangkok 10500, Thailand Tel: (662) 2347 435-6; 2342 123 Fax: (662) 6396 113 Email: [email protected]

52 Embassy of the Slovak Republic Unit No. 25/9-4, 9th Fl. BKI/YWCA Building South Sathorn Road, Tung Mahamek Sub-District Sathorn District, Bangkok 10120, Thailand Tel: (662) 677 3445-6 Fax: (662) 677 3447 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Spain Lake Rajada Office Complex 23rd Fl., 193, Ratchadapisek Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Tel: (662) 661 8284-6 Fax: (662) 661 9220 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Sweden 140 Sukhumvit Road, Between Soi 4-6, Klongtoey Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Thailand Tel: (662) 263 7200 Fax: (662) 263 7260 Email: [email protected]

Embassy of the United Kingdom 14 Wireless Road, www.ukinlaos.fco.gov.uk Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: (662) 305 8333; 305 2229 Fax: (662) 305 8372 Email: [email protected]

53 Delegation of the European Union in Vientiane

5th Fl., Sihom Commerce Centre Building, Souphanouvong Avenue Vientiane Lao PDR P.O. Box: 9325 Tel: (856 21) 241 134 Fax: (856 21) 241 125; 241 137 Email: [email protected] Website: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/laos/index_en.htm