PSARD in Hoa Binh and Cao Bang is a successful project. The project has mainstreamed three important results: commune participatory planning for socio-economic development, commune development funds and farmer field schools, and so helped to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods in disadvantaged areas
Participatory commune plans only become effective when finances are available for the implementation of identified priorities. During the project period, 87 communes in Hoa Binh and 56 communes in Cao Bang have received an annual commune development fund from VND 200 mio to 400 mio. Small infrastructure and other projects identified in participatory planning and implemented with commune development funds are highly cost-efficient (often half cost compared with other similar projects implemented by other modality), better meet the needs of people, and help build trust and accountability between authorities and citizens. 791’000 thousand people have directly benefited from these projects. The Hoa Binh Provincial People’s Council in July 2015 has issued a resolution to continue this modality in the next 5 year period 2016-2020 while the Cao Bang Provincial People’s Committee has issued a decision to apply this modality in the implementation of P135 and other program.