Laos

Lao PDR has some notable advantages for growth: it has a young population, shares borders with some of the world’s fastest growing economies and is developing rail and road connections that can activate this trade potential. To meet this challenge, Laos needs to rapidly foster positive and sustainable change for our target groups. The private sector is the engine of economic development because it generates income and jobs. Working for and with the private sector lies therefore at the heart of Swisscontact’s activities in Laos.
about laos

Country Facts 

  • Area: 236 800 km²
  • Population: 7 million
  • Capital: Vientiane

Swisscontact in Laos

  • since 2013

Projects

2021 - 2024
Laos
Green cities
Waste to Value
Swisscontact's Waste to Value project strengthens the environmental performance in service sector SMEs (hotels, restaurants, cafés and mini-marts) by improving their waste management practices and access to green products. The project further strengthens business operations and improves workplace safety for informal waste pickers increasing their income and quality of livelihood. This is complemented with awareness raising among service sector SMEs and the wider population along with encouraging public-private consultation meetings in the Lao PDR in line with national and municipal government strategies.
2019 - 2023
Laos
Initial vocational education and training
Vocational Training and Employment Support Services in Laos
VTESS will be an important vehicle to support the build-up and strengthening of an inclusive vocational education and training system in Laos. The focus will be on the strengthening of the Integrated Vocational and Education Training (IVET) pathway in order to facilitate the school to work transition of early school leavers, to provide them with...
2020 - 2025
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam
Agroecology and Safe Food System Transitions in Southeast Asia (ASSET)
The Agroecology and Safe food System Transitions (ASSET) project is a regional project funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union (EU), and the Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (FFEM) over five years from 2020 to 2025 in four targeted countries: Cambodia, Laos PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam. 

The project aims at developing and promoting a shared vision of the agroecological and safe food system transitions at South East Asian level. The project is coordinated by GRET in a strong articulation with CIRAD, in charge of the scientific coordination, the project will mobilize the expertise of 27 national, European and International partners, from research institutions, universities, NGOs, UN agencies, Ministries of Agriculture of the four countries. The project acts within the three overlapping spheres of influence, namely the societal sphere (citizen awareness and possible demands for safe agro-ecological products), the policy sphere (enabling environment at local, national and regional levels), and the technical and economic spheres (agroecological and safe food system innovations at territorial level in flagship sites).
Benin, Bolivia, Cambodia, Kosovo, Laos, Nepal, Nicaragua, Peru
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
Senior Expert Contact
Promoting entrepreneurship through expertise - Imparting technical skills through volunteer work Through their services, Senior Expert Contact (SEC) experts provide hands-on, direct support to companies and institutions in their efforts to grow.
Website

News

Laos
Sustainable tourism, Initial vocational education and training
18.10.2022
The Employment Support for Diploma Graduates (ESDG) Closing Event on October 18, 2022
Swisscontact held a closing event for the Employment Support for Diploma Graduates (ESDG) activities on October 18, 2022, in Lao Plaza Hotel, Vientiane Capital. In attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Mr. Saiykham Phanthavong, Deputy Director of the Department of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), participating technical colleges (Pakpasak and the Technical College of Vientiane Province), Mr. Lee Sheridan from Lao/029 Skills for Tourism Project (LuxDev). Mr. Michael Fink, Country Director of Swisscontact Lao PDR, and over 19 local and international stakeholders.
Laos
Initial vocational education and training
14.10.2022
Suliyan's Journey
Mr. Suliyan Xayalath is the Head of Student Affairs at the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College of Khammuane Province. He has also been appointed as the college’s coordinator for the Vocational Education and Employment Support Services (VTESS) project.
Laos
Initial vocational education and training
04.10.2022
Singkham's Journey
Singkham Santivong is in charge of administration and organization at the Integrated Vocational Education Training (IVET) School, Oudomxay Province. 
Country Director
Michael Fink

OUR INTERVENTIONS

The private sector drives economic development by creating income and jobs. Swisscontact Laos collaborates closely with the local private sector to strengthen the country's existing social and economic structures. We see development as the foundation for making economies and the people who live in them more resilient.

Vocational education and training, as well as labor market insertion, are central to our work in Laos. We improve people's skills and provide opportunities for a secure income and active participation in society. We focus on the service sector for sustainable development in order to create green jobs, increase income, and promote economic well-being without negatively harming the environment.

2017 - 2021
Laos
Sustainable tourism, Initial vocational education and training
Pheun Than Heng A Sip Training Programme
The tourism and hospitality sector in Lao PDR has expanded rapidly in recent years and the trend is set to continue. Tourism and hospitality services often drive revenues for micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in rural areas, which in turn can provide the livelihood for people from poor backgrounds. However, often...
2017 - 2020
Laos
Sustainable tourism
Economically strong regions through sustainable tourism (MIGIP Laos)
The objective of the project is to introduce new models for promoting localities that involve the social, environmental, and economic needs of local populations while creating additional income and jobs.Despite high and sustained economic growth, Laos remains one of the UN’s “Least Developed Countries” – one third of the population lives...
Team
The abilities and readiness for action of our employees are decisive for our projects’ ability to achieve sustainable impact, as well as our long-term success. As an attractive employer, Swisscontact invests in a positive management and work culture. This is defined by our fundamental understanding of development intended to serve not only our beneficiaries in project countries but our employees as well.
Services
Swisscontact’s core business is the implementation of projects funded by bilateral, multi-lateral and private sector donors. 
Jobs
Motivated and productive employees with initiative constitute the most important success factor in all areas of our work. We count on individuals who are looking to the future, impact- and team-oriented, and want to work in international development cooperation. 

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Swisscontact in Laos

3rd floor, 108 Hill Building,49 Dongpaina
Ban Saphanthong Neua 
Sisattanak District Vientiane Capital