Publications

The Government of Lao PDR has been investigating in recent years to develop the production and use of biofuels based on the premise of positive environmental and social impacts, notably the mitigation of climate change through greenhouse gas abatement, fossil fuel dependence reduction, security of energy supply and maintaining employment in the agricultural sector. To address these issues, The Lao Government has drafted a policy for biofuel development, committed to several researches and engaged in discussions with the private sector for investment in the biofuel sector.

SNV acknowledges that developing sustainable production and use of biofuels can have positive impacts on local level and thereby strengthening meso-level organisations. The leaflet provides a brief overview of SNV's possible position in facilitating the Lao government's energy policies and institutional frameworks. SNV's mission in sustainable biofuel development, goals, guidelines and approach, target clients, feedstock choices and focus area are all discussed. Contact information details are provided.

This work on Rural Sanitation Supply Chains and Finance is part of the SNV/IRC Sustainable Sanitation and Hygiene for All programme, which aims to improve the health and quality of life of rural people in five Asian countries (Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal and Vietnam) through enhanced access to improved sanitation and hygiene practices. It has four integrated technical components, strengthening local capacities for a rural sanitation service delivery with a district-wide approach. An additional cross-cutting regional component of the programme focusses on analysis, dissemination, and learning.

This Brief shares some of the lessons learned from working on the Rural Sanitation Supply Chains and Finance. It also introduces the thinking behind its design and its main activities.

Brochure of the Sustainable Silk Production Partnership Project in Rural Lao PDR

This article presents the tools and outcomes of using the tools for collecting and analysing gender disaggregated data from communities, developed especially for the Lao Biogas Pilot Program (BPP).

As a part of its capacity building efforts, ENERGIA held a regional training of trainers and practitioners on gender mainstreaming in energy projects. Programme staff of the Lao BPP participated at the training and also participated in the e-coaching trajectory that ENERGIA provided to a number of selected projects, following the regional training. Part of ENERGIA’s coaching efforts to BPP involved the joint development of a gender assessment instrument package by SNV Lao PDR and ENERGIA on mainstreaming gender in the Lao Biogas Pilot Program. This package is adapted from existing tools, approaches and experiences from SNV, ENERGIA and other development agencies. The package outlines a strategy for conducting a gender-based baseline assessment for new biogas interventions.

The tool has been designed for energy practitioners who want to mainstream gender into their biogas or other energy programmes and deals with different levels that are relevant to the programme (Institutional level; Programme level; Community level; and Household level). This article focuses on the tools that were developed for use at the community and household levels.

The article also gives the findings and recommendations of the baseline survey which indicates that use of biogas has a direct effect in the improvement of the livelihoods of women and children with increased ratio of girl’s enrolment and reduced drop out from the school.