The project Capacity Building for REDD+ Readiness in Lao PDR aims to strengthen the capacity of targeted stakeholders at the province, district and village cluster levels in Attapeu province, Lao PDR, to ensure the positive introduction of REDD+ systems, practices and processes at these levels.

Activities focus on targeted areas in Attapeu province that are within the Xe Pian–Dong Hua Sao-Dong Ampham–Xe Sap Biodiversity Conservation Corridor and on building the capacity of decision-makers responsible for designing and implementing REDD+ style work in this area. The four objectives for the project are:

1. Build core competencies in the technical and operational aspects of Participatory Forest Management (PFM).

2. Integrate livelihoods into climate resilient and low carbon frameworks.

3. Define a pro-poor benefit distribution system(s) for Attapeu Province and support the establishment of Village Development Funds (VDFs).

4. Raise awareness on the potential for REDD+ in Attapeu Province through technical training for key stakeholders.

SNV Laos, being also the host of the USAID Lowering Emissions in Asia’s Forests (LEAF) program in the area, actively coordinates with a range of partnering institutions, including CEP-BCI, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy and Attapeu PAFO to implement the project. The collaborative approach will enhance the capacity building outcomes and on-ground activities by scaling up CEP-BCI Phase I successes, increase the reach of program interventions and intensify the impact of both programmes.