1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

Capacity building assessment of the Lao-Swedish forestry development program : a case study in the Luang Prabang province of Lao PDR

AuthorKhamouane Khamphoukeo
Call NumberAIT Thesis no.RD-01-05
Subject(s)Forestry projects--Laos--Luang Phrabang
NoteA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment Resources and Development
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
AbstractThe research deals with the capacity building assessment of local government officials at provincial (P AFOs) and district levels (DAFOs) and members of village organization (VOs) in LPP with the support of SIDA through the Lao-Swedish Forestry Project (LSFP) and Department of Forestry (DoF), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Lao PDR during Phase IV (1996-2000). The project aims to solve the problem of shifting cultivation of the country with a focus on institutional building for capacity development through participatory and bottom-up approach at local level. This is the first attempt of this kind of project has ever been implemented by the DoF in Lao PDR. The objectives of this research are to examine types and components of capacity building program provided; to assess capacity of all stakeholders including P AFOs, DAFOs and VOs in local planning process; to get people's feedback on awareness, participation, benefits gained and satisfaction; and to identify factors affecting capacity; and to suggest recommendations. The research was conducted in two villages, namely Ban Phone Sya and Ban Silalek in Xiang Ngeun district of Luang Prabang province in Lao PDR, where is the project area of LSFP. Findings of this research showed that a variety of capacity building program were provided to its stakeholders, which made their capacity is high in various stages of planning process. As a consequence, people were highly aware and actively participated in various stages of LPP in many local projects with the high degree of benefits gained and the high level of satisfaction. Several factors were affected to their capacity building, which are interrelated. It is clear from this research that it is essential to continue to strengthen the capacity of all stakeholders for sustainability in a long-term, which could lead to the achievement of LSFP overall goal eventually. This needs the interventions of LSFP/SIDA and DoF in making this effort in future with further support to the project in the next phase technically and financially. Several key recommendations were given to strengthen capacity building of all stakeholders by reconsidering types and means of capacity building programs and techniques of delivery. Based on many lessons learned in this phase, documentation should be prepared for future application and modifications. Many aspects in the project supporting system to facilitate and increase the efficiency of the project staff and local committee members were given. Specific suggestions were given to LSFP/SIDA and DoF for further consideration during the implementation of the project in the next phase. Also, it is recommended for the LSFP and DoF to prepare a comprehensive human resource development plan for a long-term capacity building based on the findings from this research as well as future perspective.
Year2001
TypeThesis
SchoolSchool of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD)
DepartmentDepartment of Development and Sustainability (DDS)
Academic Program/FoSRural Development, Gender and Resources (RD)
Chairperson(s)Soparth Pongquan
Examination Committee(s)Routray, Jayant Kumar;Wickramanayake, B. W. E.
Scholarship Donor(s)Noiwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)
DegreeThesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2001


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