www.lao-npa-network.org
Learning House for Development (LHD)
 LHD was set up as a network for Lao CSOs
 It was jointly established with local non-official and
voluntary members of CSOs in Aug 2010
 LHD focusing on Non-Profit Associations (NPAs)
who work in development for poverty alleviation
 It is a non-political, non-profit making, and nonreligious network.
 LHD provides space and opportunities for NPAs to
come together to learn new skills, share their
knowledge and grow their organisations
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Goal:
To contribute to the creation of an enabling environment in which
Lao Non-Profit Asociation (NPAs) and other civil society groups can
sustainable development of Laos, poverty reduction and play an
active role in socio-economic development.
Objectives:
• To create opportunities for Lao civil society to enhance
mutual coordination, solidarity and sharing information.
• Upgrade the members’ staff capacities in order to enable to
implement efficient development projects in their target
villages.
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LHD Members
 Its members are from diverse range of society
and present different groups: women, youth,
ethnic minorities, disabled people etc.
 Currently LHD has 40 members including
registered and non-registered NPAs
 The majority members are base in Vientiane
(31) and from other provinces (9)
 11 members are based at the LHD compound
where we share office facilities and services
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China
MEMBER PRESENCE / PROVINCE
Myanmar
1
2
1
Vietnam
31
Thailand
1
2
2
Cambodia
5
Current activities and services
 Capacity development for members and non-members in
identified areas (trainings, workshops, study tours etc.)
 Coordinate sharing of information in the form of publications,
newsletters, workshops, meetings etc.
 Library, incubator and meeting/training rooms services
 Networking with other CS stakeholders (INGOs, DPs, GoL etc.)
 Representation
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LHD Beneficiaries and benefits
 Lao civil society groups
o Enhanced networking and learning, which will increase the impact of
Lao civil society.
o Foster emerging civil society initiatives (incubator function, registration
etc.)
o Collaboration with other capacity development providers
o Fostering peer-to-peer capacity development
 Government of Lao PDR
o Contact point to disseminate information to Lao civil society groups, e.g.
on legislation,
o Link for communication with Lao civil society groups e.g. on processes of
cooperation, on developing best practices, etc.
 Donors and other development organisations
o Access to disseminate information to Lao civil society groups, e.g. on
funding opportunities,
o Assist with identifying partners/relevant CSOs
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Challenges of LH Member s
 Legal status
o Risk of operating with out a licence due to lengthy &
complicated registration process
o Umbrella organisations are needed to support NPAs
o Miss out on funding opportunities
 Many NPAs have no secure funding from donors
 Lack of experience in organisation & project
development
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Some benefits and achievements of members
 Commitment to their organisations’ aims
 Received support funds from local and international donors to:
o Upgrade of their staff capacities, and
o Implement their projects in the remote areas and improvements to
lives of marginalised people
o Capacity building of district & provincial authority staff
 Assist GoL in implementing of the poverty eradication programme
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Members’ working sectors
• Education
• Health
• Agriculture
• Community development
• Gender
• Secure livelihoods
• Conservation of environment
• Others
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COORDINATE HOW?
Steering Committee
A board of 5 members ensures that the NPA Network achieves
its overall mission and provides direction for its Secretariat.
Secretariat
The Secretariat provides day-to-day support to members to
support and implement the Network’s mission
Working groups
No NPAs’ working groups yet, but NPAs are jointly with INGO
Network’s working groups ( Education; Land issues; Health and
nutrition; CSWG; Water and energy issues; Human resources
and administration)
NPAs and iNGOs
LHD works with NPAs and iNGOs
(for example: GDA, NORMAI, PADETC, Helvetas, SDC,
CORD, CUSO/VSO, Oxfam…)
 Funding for joint projects
 Training opportunities
 Capacity development / Human resource development
LHD and iNGO Network
 Peer to peer exchange (exchange experience, directory,
steering committee…)
 Partners in the Civil Society Consortium Program (lead and
present by CORD)
iNGO Network website: www.directoryofngos.org
Example of NPA’s members projects
Water supply for community
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Agriculture activities
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Improvement of school and teaching
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Trainings and workshops
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The future plan
 Closer co-operation with local and international
organisations, development partners in relevant areas
in the country and region for exchange of experiences
 Consortium of NPAs and INGOs have developed a
program to strengthen both the capacity of CSOs and
their contribution to the development of Laos
 Work with relevant department of MOHA in registration
of NPAs to simplify approval procedures
 Seeks for partners to implement and fund specific
network’s projects
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Contact address:
Learning House for Development
Ban Naxay, Saphangmor Road,
House: 24/377
Saysetha District, Vientiane, Laos
Tel/fax: (+856) 21 265531
E-mail: info@lao-npa-network.org
Website: www.lao-npa-network.org
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