The project will be implemented in 18 villages across Champassak, Bokeo and Savannakhet provinces, directly benefiting more than 4,520 people, with around 200 women identified as the primary beneficiaries.

The project’s key objectives include strengthening women’s leadership and technical skills in climate-friendly agriculture, micro-business development and financial management; enhancing the capacity of civil society organizations to support socio-economic development; and promoting gender-transformative approaches to foster positive community attitudes and create enabling environments for women.

“The ALLOWED project is a significant step toward empowering women and strengthening civil society in Laos. By building capacity and fostering resilience, we aim to create sustainable change,” said Ms. Theresa Sayavong, Cord Lao Country Representative.

Mr. Thevaluk from the Department of Planning and Cooperation highlighted the project’s focus on sustainability, noting that ALLOWED will develop training-of-trainers programmes to ensure continuity, promote local products as staple goods, and reduce reliance on imports, while empowering women to have a voice and work alongside men as equal partners.

“MHP is proud to bring its expertise in gender equality and participatory development to this partnership, ensuring that women have the tools and opportunities to thrive,” said Mr. Komseng Siphavanh, Project Coordinator of MHP.

Mrs. Veerle Smet, Chargé d’Affaires of the European Union, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to gender equality, saying, “Gender equality and women’s empowerment are central to who we are and what we stand for. Every person has the right to learn, to raise their voice, to participate in decisions that affect their lives, and to live with dignity.”

The launch event was attended by representatives from provincial and district authorities, civil society organizations and other stakeholders. Cord expressed its appreciation for the strong support from ministerial, provincial and district focal points in facilitating the memorandum of understanding, baseline data collection and beneficiary selection, which laid the groundwork for successful project implementation.

Cord, established in 1967 and operating in Laos since 2011, works to build and sustain peace by transforming relationships and empowering communities to overcome challenges through trust and resilience. Reflecting this mission, the ALLOWED project focuses on building the capacity of rural and ethnic women to manage and protect land and forests, while improving their economic and financial resilience.

KPL