STAF - Skills for Tourism and Agriculture and Forestry
01.03.2023
- 31.12.2027
Switzerland, Luxembourg and the European Union are joining hands to reform the TVET sector together with the Government of Laos to increase the employability and income of the Lao people. Switzerland’s long-term experience in poverty reduction, vocational training and private sector engagement will support youth to access improved vocational skills development and reach employment through stronger employment service delivery.
LURAS - Lao Upland Rural Advisory Services
01.12.2021
- 30.11.2025
Laos is an agriculture-based country in transition. Farmers in the Northern region require additional knowledge, skills and access to resources to organize themselves within the ongoing agricultural socio-economic changes. Switzerland’s expertise in inclusive economic development, climate change and environment will support rural advisory services during this final phase to sustainably stimulate climate resilient and lasting improvements in agricultural production and income generation for these farmers.
PROMISE - Poverty Reduction Through Safe Migration, Skills Development and Enhanced Job Placement in Cambodia, Laos PDR, Myanmar and Thailand
01.09.2021
- 31.08.2025
Labour migration is a key poverty reduction and economic development strategy for jobless people in the Mekong region. The last phase of this regional programme will focus on the sustainability and upscaling of support to migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar to access skills development and decent employment in Thailand and when returning home. Switzerland addresses their needs with a regional approach together with the International Organisation for Migration, governments and the private sector by strengthening regional and national policies and systems.
Dam Safety Technical and Institutional Assistance in Lao PDR (DSTIA)
01.05.2021
- 31.03.2026
Following the Swiss support to the Nationwide Emergency Dam Safety Inspection, the Lao Government requested a longer-term Swiss support in strengthening the national dam safety regulatory and institutional frameworks. By increasing government’s law enforcement and technical capacities to international standards, the project will ensure better protection for downstream communities, estimated in 1,5 million people, and contribute to safe energy production and the sustainability of infrastructure.
Support to Parliamentary Centre of Asia
01.04.2021
- 31.12.2024
The Parliamentary Centre of Asia (PCAsia) builds the capacities of Parliaments in ASEAN countries in particular Cambodia and Laos plus Myanmar if the situation allows (CLM) to promote democratic accountability in the region. Complemented by the technical assistance of the Swiss Parliamentary Services (SPS), the Swiss contribution to PCAsia will support the capacity building of professional, non-partisan, ethical and accountable parliamentary services.
ESLR - Enhancing Systematic Land Registration
15.03.2021
- 30.09.2026
The absence of land use regulations enforcement and poor-quality land administration services have limited land tenure security of the Lao population, and have contributed to social tensions and poverty. Switzerland, with its long standing engagement in the land governance sector, will support the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s effort to accelerate systematic land registration, hence strengthening land tenure security of the Lao population, including the vulnerable groups, women and ethnic minorities.
Mekong River Commission (MRC) – Contribution to the basket fund for the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2021-2025
01.01.2021
- 31.12.2025
The Mekong River Commission is the only treaty-based intergovernmental organisation for the Mekong River Basin with a clear mandate for integrated water resources management, procedures and tools to support equitable use of water and address transboundary issues. Switzerland with its experience in water diplomacy and management contributes to the implementation of the new Basin Development Strategy (2021-2030) and Strategic Plan (2021-2025) through the multi-donor Basket Fund.
IWGP - Inclusive Water Governance Project in Mekong Region
01.10.2020
- 30.06.2024
Through this project, Switzerland will support civil society organisations, women and vulnerable communities to better influence water resource governance and decision-making processes at all levels in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. The Swiss knowhow in transboundary water governance and citizen participation shall leverage more inclusive, transparent and accountable infrastructure development that better responds to the needs of vulnerable riverine communities and improve their livelihood.
COVID-19 - Prevention and Recovery in the Mekong Region
01.08.2020
- 30.09.2022
Vulnerable groups in Laos and Cambodia suffered disproportionally from the Covid-19 socio-economic crisis affecting their income, as well as access to public services and employment. Swiss support will combine institutional strengthening of local actors and provision of public services, skills development, access to credit and support to returning migrants. The long-term experience of Switzerland and trusted relationships with governments add value to the intervention
ENUFF - Enhancing Nutrition of Upland Farming Families
01.07.2020
- 30.06.2024
Despite a sustained economic growth of 7.7% over the last decade of Lao PDR, children under five, nationally, 21% are underweight, 33% are stunted and 9% wasted (2017). Based on initial achievements and lessons learned from phase one, Switzerland, with its leave no one behind value, will provide support for a second and final phase to the government’s multi-sectoral approach that integrates agriculture, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene. The geographical scope expands to 20 new remote villages and targets women, men and children.
WFP/UNHAS common services for Southeast Asia during COVID-19
12.06.2020
- 31.12.2020
Contribution by two funding entities (Humanitarian Aid and South Cooperation) to support WFP/UNHAS in Southeast Asia in the framework of the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan in terms of passenger services, light cargo and MEDEVAC. With passenger planes and air ambulances (air base: Subang/Kuala Lumpur) the freedom of movement of humanitarian and development workers as well as other supporters to the Global Humanitarian Response Plan who got into “land-locked” situations where no commercial capacity is available or possible to use is enhanced by WFP/UNHAS’ air or sea transport services.
Vocational training and employment support services (VTESS)
01.08.2019
- 30.11.2023
The Vocational Training and Employment Support Services (VTESS) Project supports the government of Laos in institutionalizing a national inclusive system for the integration of early school leavers into technical training courses and further education. In the current phase, 3000 disadvantaged young men and women will benefit from improved, labour market relevant training courses. At the same time, the establishment of employment support services to help graduates find employment or self-employment will be piloted.
