(KPL) Ms. Siv-Leng Chhuor, Ambassador of France to Laos, signed in Vientiane grant agreements with the eight Lao organizations beneficiaries of the French small grants programme Equipe France Fund – Civil Society Organizations (FEF-OSC) for 2024, formerly known as PISCCA.

The first phase of the 2024-2025 FEF-OSC programme supports civil society organizations’ initiatives on gender equality. In total, the programme aims to support around 18 projects with an envelope of over half a million Euros. Since 2010, the French Embassy has financed 71 projects in Laos, for a total amount of almost EUR 3 million.

In line with the French government's national and global strategy to promote women's rights and gender equality, the theme chosen for this new edition of the FEF-OSC programme is gender equality.

In addition to systematically taking gender into account as a priority in all projects carried out by France, gender equality is at the heart of this programme and constitutes its main objective. The selected projects in the Lao PDR focus on fighting gender-based violence, promoting women’s economic empowerment, and giving women and girls better access to quality education, justice, and culture.

This year, the 8 selected projects will be implemented in six different provinces: Bokeo, Saravan, Vientiane, Savannakhet, Phongsaly, and Xieng Khuang.

The Association for the Development and Promotion of Women’s Leadership (ADPWL), represented by Ms. Bouakham Sythavong, received a grant of over LAK 328 million to carry out a project aiming at ending violence against sex workers and improving their access to health services in Vientiane.

Ms. Inthana Bouphasavanh, representing the Association for the Development of Women and Legal Education (ADWLE), signed the FEF-OSC 2024 agreement for LAK 448 million. ADWLE’s project is dedicated to supporting vulnerable women and children to obtain free-of-charge health services, improving the response to gender-based violence (GBV) survivors, and supporting women to protect their legal rights through official registration of marriage.

The Association for the Promotion Preservation of Arts and Literature (APPAL), represented by Mr. Soukphansa Phouphasouk, received LAK 227 million to support artists and poets to create artwork reflecting gender equality in Lao society.

Ms. Manivone Vorachak represented the Cooperation for Development and Support to Local Knowledge Association (COSKA) as Secretary General. The association received LAK 500 million for its project in Phongsaly Province on the economic empowerment of young women and better GBV prevention.

Strengthening women from ethnic minorities’ entrepreneurship and leadership skills is the main objective of the Foundation Assisting Poor People of Laos – Xieng Khuang Province Branch (FAPPL XK). Ms. Khankham Sayalath, director of the association, signed the grant agreement of LAK 499 million.

Mr. Soukaseum Bodhisan, President of the Namjai Community Association (NCA), came from Bokeo Province to sign the FEF-OSC 2024 grant agreement of LAK 499 million. The project aims at providing quality education to girls from ethnic minorities and protecting them from all forms of violence, including early marriages.

Sengsavang, represented by Ms. Virith Khattingnavong, signed a grant agreement of LAK 499 million for their project focused on the sustainable reintegration of survivors and women at risk of human trafficking and domestic violence in Savannakhet Province.

Lastly, Ms. Viengpeth Phongchalern came from Saravan Province to represent the Women Development Fund. The foundation received LAK 500 million for their project on the development of a model gender equality village (MGV), and the prevention of domestic violence and early marriages.

The FEF-OSC 2024 selection committee was held on Friday, 21st June 2024, and was composed of development partners who support, and are familiar with, civil society and gender equality issues: l’Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the German International Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

All the 2024 grantees will be able to submit a second phase under the new call for projects, which will take place at the beginning of 2025. It will also be open to CSOs that did not get selected this year or that have not yet applied.

KPL