The Sustainable Development through Community Participation: Case of Poverty Reduction Fund Project in Laos

This paper identifies the important role of community participation on sustainable development, based on the experience of Poverty Reduction Fund Project (PRF) in Laos. Under the implementation of PRF, sustainability development is related to long-term effectiveness of sub-project operation. This largely depends on the capacity of local community to be aware of the operation and maintenance of rural infrastructures after the completion of the PRF. This study indicates that community participation is directly related on capacity building for local people as to strengthening the skills, competencies and abilities of people in targeted areas so they can overcome the causes of their exclusion and suffering. PRF has succeeded in encouraging a high sense of ownership for local community which is critical if activities are to be sustained in the long term. More than 90 percent of total subprojects that PRF supported from 2003 to 2010 are considered to be in a very good condition and those are well maintained. This is important to confirm that sub-projects will be able to be used in long period of time. Moreover, this study also indicates that the implementation of PRF has succeeded in the method of community participation; all villagers have opportunity to share their ideas for their community development; particularly, women received the equivalent privileged as men on subproject selection and decision. Women are the potential of human resource in rural areas, those people should have an opportunity to participate on social economic development and receive more education.