Implementation of the Lao PDR Emission Reductions Programme through improved governance and sustainable forest landscape management Lao People's Democratic Republic (the)

The interim evaluation of the I-GFLL/CliPAD IV project in Lao PDR indicates a generally successful implementation, rated as 'Level 2: successful' overall. The project is highly aligned with national policies and the needs of rural populations in Luang Prabang, Sayabouri, and Houaphan provinces. While it has successfully established an enabling environment for REDD+ and integrated women and ethnic groups, effectiveness is rated as 'moderately successful' because many village-level activities only began in 2021, making it too early to quantify total CO2 reductions. Key achievements include the creation of a Climate Change Funding Window within the Environment Protection Fund and the development of 25 Village Forest Management Plans. However, challenges remain regarding high staff turnover in government agencies, bureaucratic delays in fund disbursement, and external risks from mining concessions and infrastructure projects.

• The project is highly relevant and aligned with national priorities, including the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan and the National REDD+ Strategy to 2025, receiving a relevance score of 100 out of 100 points.
• The project's overall effectiveness is rated as 'moderately successful' (67/100) because it is too early to determine if the target of 5.6 million tCO2eq of avoided emissions will be met, as village-level implementation only started in 2021.
• The project has overachieved its target for the number of villages meeting criteria for results-based payments, reaching 240 villages against a target of 200.
• The project has successfully reached 137,250 direct beneficiaries, exceeding the target of 120,000.
• A key institutional achievement is the establishment of a Climate Change Funding Window within the Environment Protection Fund (EPF) to manage GCF funds.
• The project has developed 25 Village Forest Management Plans (VFMPs) covering approximately 63,000 hectares of forest, with significant progress in Houaphan province.
• Gender integration is strong in terms of participation, with the Lao Women's Union participating in 87% of village-level activities in 2021, though gender equality in financial profit remains a risk.
• The project's internal and external coherence is rated as highly successful (100/100), evidenced by strong coordination with partners like JICA, ADB, IFAD, and KfW.
• Production efficiency is rated as comparatively low because many mid-term targets were not met, largely due to delays caused by Covid-19 lockdowns.
• Sustainability is threatened by external factors beyond the project's control, specifically mining concessions granted to Chinese companies and large infrastructure projects like the railway from Vientiane to the north.
• High staff turnover in government agencies and limited human capital resources are significant bottlenecks for long-term sustainability.
• The project's 'Promotion of sustainable and deforestation-free agricultural practice and value chains' (PSAP) approach has registered 1,693 households across 57 villages for participation as of 2021.

APA

Green Climate Fund (2022). Implementation of the Lao PDR Emission Reductions Programme through improved governance and sustainable forest landscape management Lao People's Democratic Republic (the). https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/fp117-interim-evaluation-report-pub.pdf

Chicago

Green Climate Fund. Implementation of the Lao PDR Emission Reductions Programme through improved governance and sustainable forest landscape management Lao People's Democratic Republic (the). 2022. https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/fp117-interim-evaluation-report-pub.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Green Climate Fund |title=Implementation of the Lao PDR Emission Reductions Programme through improved governance and sustainable forest landscape management Lao People's Democratic Republic (the) |date=September 2022 |url=https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/fp117-interim-evaluation-report-pub.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greenclimatefund2022implementation, author = {{Green Climate Fund}}, title = {{Implementation of the Lao PDR Emission Reductions Programme through improved governance and sustainable forest landscape management Lao People's Democratic Republic (the)}}, institution = {Green Climate Fund}, year = {2022}, month = sep, url = {https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/fp117-interim-evaluation-report-pub.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }