Local community partnerships in project governance and forest development in the northern uplands of Laos: A review of the SALFORD-SU and PAREDD projects

This paper examines local community partnerships in development projects in Laos. The aim of this paper is to review the engagement of local communities in the implementation of project activities and to recommend possible alternative livelihood options for communities at the project sites.

The findings highlight differences in community participation between the two projects: the PAREDD project demonstrated stronger engagement of local communities in decision-making and implementation, whereas participation in the SUFORD-SU project was largely limited to consultation and information sharing. The paper also provides guidelines and recommendations for strengthening local community partnerships. It identifies key strategies for improving community engagement and sustainable forest management, including income-generating activities, strengthening community governance and empowerment, and establishing equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. Integrating livelihood development with forest conservation can enhance community participation, reduce pressure on forest resources, and support sustainable forest management in Laos.