In recent years, the role played by the nonprofit sector in such areas as social development has been gaining recognition in Laos, and an important transformation is taking place in which organizations are being established on the volition of individuals, not just by political parties. However, the foundation for such individual effort remains fragile, and nonprofit activities are not sufficiently understood by the government and others in the country.
This project aims to promote nonprofit activities by utilizing knowledge gained in Vietnam, which has a similar political background to that of Laos, to deepen the understanding of nonprofit activities between government and nonprofit organizations and by indicating an effective direction for partnership between the two entities.
In fiscal 2007, a fact-finding mission was sent to the Philippines. The mission included the vice minister of public administration and civil service authority and other leaders of government and political parties and people involved with nonprofit organizations. The project also hosted an international conference (attended by about 80 people) on the theme of a draft decree for local NPOs and associations, and the program conducted a capacity building program for 30 managers of Laotian nonprofit organizations.