Laos


With its country-wide program in Lao PDR, DGRV continues to support the development of a strong and sustainable cooperative sector. The project contributes to improving the livelihoods of farmers and small businesses by promoting self-help and cooperation as key drivers of economic and social resilience.

DGRV works closely with national institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Bank of Lao PDR on implementing the new Cooperative Law (passed in 2024). Together with its partners, DGRV supports the establishment of a clear regulatory framework, professional training systems, and effective supervision for cooperatives. The national federations LASCU (for saving and credit unions) and LACF (for agricultural cooperatives) play a central role as service providers and representatives for the cooperative sectors.

At the local level, DGRV promotes model cooperatives that combine good governance, financial stability, and community engagement to strengthen rural economies.

Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the project is part of the regional program WINGS II (Economic Inclusion through Sustainable Cooperative Systems in Asia, 2024–2026) and contributes to inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development in Laos.

Sustainable Development Goals


The project contributes to the SDGs 1,2, 8 and 10, fostering inclusive economic growth and social participation in Southeast Asia.  

Activities


Some activity highlights include:

  • Support dissemination events and coordination mechanisms to ensure the coherent implementation of the new Cooperative Law
  • Advisory services for developing supervision, registration, and audit procedures for cooperatives.
  • Establishment of LACF as umbrella organization for agricultural cooperatives and development of its first strategic plan.
  • Institutional strengthening of national federations LASCU (finance) and LACF (agriculture).
  • Development of standardized training curricula for cooperative boards and supervisory committees in cooperation with the National University of Laos.
  • Regular training programmes on governance, accounting, financial literacy, and internal control.
  • Regional exchange with Thailand  on relevant topics, such as AI & Data Analytics, Core Banking, and Digital Audit.
  • Strengthening of model cooperatives to demonstrate best practices in management and transparency.
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Employees


Project Director

Mr. Sebastian Dudda

Senior Project Advisor

Ms. Vimonlath Vannavong
Mr. Douangchanh Sihalath

Project Advisor

Ms. Khamfeuang Silavy

Coordinator Global Youth Project

Mr. Porlor Nhiachou

Regional Finance Administration

Sayarath Vongsack

Head of Administration

Ms. Valaphone Panyasiri

Clerical Assistant

Ms. Pavisouda Vongphakdy

 

Partners


Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry – Department for Agricultural Extension  and Cooperatives (DAEC)

The Department of Rural Development and Cooperatives is responsible for supporting and overseeing all agricultural cooperatives as well as farmer and production groups within Laos.

 

Bank of Lao – Financial Institutions Supervision Department

The Financial Institutions Supervision Department is responsible for supervision and auditing the Savings and Credit Unions in Laos.

LASCU – Lao Association of Saving and Credit Unions is the federation of the Saving and Credit Unions (SCUs) in Laos

The federation has been developed from an informal SCU network and was founded in 2020. DGRV and LASCU have started their cooperation in 2020 with the aim to enable the new federation to conduct its roles and responsibilities such as to train and advise the member SCU as well as being part of auditing and risk management activities from the Bank of Laos (BoL).

 

LACF – Lao Agriculture Cooperative Federation

acts as an umbrella organisation for all agricultural cooperatives in Laos.

Office


DGRV – Deutscher Genossenschafts- und Raiffeisenverband e. V. – Laos
German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation Laos

Ban Phonsavanh-Tai, Unit 5, House No 071
Sisattanak District
P.O. Box 11370
Vientiane Capital
Lao PDR

F. +856-21-317 001
laos@dgrv.coop

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