Fueang District, Vientiane Province, Laos – August 30, 2024 – The Gender Development Association (GDA) organized an impactful inception meeting and Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony on 30 August 2024 in Fueang District. The event marked the official launch of the project “Promoting Climate-Resilient Agriculture Model Families and Gender Equality in Community in Fueang District, Vientiane Province.”
The ceremony, held in the district’s administrative meeting room, brought together 22 participants from various local organizations, including the Vientiane Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department, Fueang District Agriculture and Forestry Office, Fueang District Lao Women’s Union, Fueang District Industry and Planning Office, and the Natural Resource and Environment Office. Representatives from the two targeted villages also attended.
The project, which will run until June 30, 2025, aims to significantly improve food security and empower women through climate-resilient agricultural practices. Key objectives include increasing the number of greenhouses, enhancing small-scale farmers’ knowledge of greenhouse farming, and providing targeted families with skills for effective market access and business management. Additionally, the project will focus on advancing gender equality and addressing violence against women in the targeted villages.
The meeting included detailed presentations on the project’s background, objectives, duration, budget, and key activities. Participants learned about planned training sessions on gender knowledge and agricultural techniques, the selection of model families, and the provision of greenhouses and plant seeds. A presentation on financial policy, including daily subsistence allowances and anti-fraud measures, was also provided, alongside information on social safeguarding, covering child protection and misconduct behavior.
A crucial part of the event was the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Fueang District Agriculture and Forestry Office and the Gender Development Association. This agreement solidifies the partnership and outlines the roles and responsibilities of each party in the successful implementation of the project.
The project, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and International Needs Australia, is poised to foster sustainable development and social progress in the region.
