Sustainable Forest and Rural Development Project (SUFORD)

SUFORD was the US$ 23.5 million World Bank – Finland funded project in Laos PDR. The main goals of the Project were to promote village development and sustainable harvesting of timber and improved forest management by taking into account environmental, social and economic aspects in improved forest management plans. The project was implemented in nine provinces (included 16 Production Forest Areas with 1.3 million hectares), 36 districts, the project contributed to improving livelihoods for more than 30,000 people in 723 villages of nine provinces. The project was broadly acknowledged due to its long-term economic, social and environmental benefits for local communities and government bodies. My contribution as the Livelihood/Village Development Adviser in this project had been greatly recognized after the 2012-impact study showed that the village development fund led to reduce more poor households in project villages than in control ones. As a result, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Lao PDR awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Performance under the SUFORD Project dated on February 18, 2013.