Community Patrols in Action

Community Patrols in Action

Strengthening Community Capacity in Nalea District through Training on Implementation of Village Annual Operational Plans

From 18–19 September 2025, the Climate Protection through Avoided Deforestation (CliPAD) Project, implemented by GIZ, together with the Forestry Unit of the District Agriculture and Environment Office (DAEO) in Nalea District, Luangnamtha Province, organized a two-day Community Training on the Implementation of Village Annual Operational Plans (AOPs) in Thongthone Village.

This training brought together members of the Village Land Use Management Committees (VLUMCs) and the Village Forest and Agriculture Grant Committees (VFAGCs) from five participating villages: Thongthone, Saken, Konelang, Phoutien, and Saluey. The activity followed an earlier training for district technical staff (15–17 September 2025), conducted by the CliPAD Forestry Advisory Team, which prepared district officers to provide technical guidance and backstopping to communities.

Purpose of the Training

The overall objective was to strengthen the capacity of village-level committees in carrying out their Village Annual Operational Plans. With this knowledge, the committees are expected to:

  • Guide their communities in applying sustainable forest and land management practices.
  • Implement village-level activities in line with their Village Forest Management Plans (VFMPs).
  • Collaborate with district technical staff to ensure effective support and oversight.

Training Approach

The training combined both theoretical sessions and field-based practice. Topics covered included:

  • Understanding and applying the Village Rights Book
  • Reviewing the Village Forest Management Planning (VFMP) process
  • Conducting forest boundary demarcation
  • Organizing village patrolling activities
  • Implementing forest fire prevention measures
  • Promoting natural forest regeneration
  • Practical Learning in the Field

Beyond classroom sessions, participants engaged in hands-on exercises inside the Village Protection Forest. These field activities demonstrated how to apply theoretical knowledge in real-life contexts from marking forest boundaries to practicing patrolling methods and fire prevention techniques. This practical component ensured that participants gained not only technical knowledge but also confidence in applying it within their villages.

Why This Matters

This training is a key step in empowering local communities to take ownership of their natural resources. By building the knowledge and skills of village committees, CliPAD and its government partners are supporting communities to implement their own plans, protect forests, prevent land degradation, and promote sustainable livelihoods.

The activity also highlights the importance of collaboration between district-level technical teams and village committees, ensuring that knowledge flows both ways and that communities receive the guidance and support they need to succeed.

This training is part of CliPAD’s broader commitment to promoting community-based forest protection and sustainable land use management in northern Lao PDR.

#CliPAD #GIZLaos #ForestManagement #CommunityEmpowerment #SustainableDevelopment