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

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Projects

2024 - 2026
Laos
Initial vocational education and training
Digital Literacy Initiative Laos
The Digital Literacy Initiative (DLI) aims to better prepare youth for productive activities in the digital economy through basic coding and programming lessons, coding clubs and digital entrepreneurship courses for students of upper secondary schools and TVET (technical and vocational education and training) colleges.
2024 - 2027
Laos
Green cities
Sustainable Consumption and Production in Lao PDR (SCP Lao)
The goal of the project is to enable environmental Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), particularly those focusing on youth and women, to contribute to green and inclusive economic growth in the Lao PDR. This will be achieved by strengthening their capacities in three main areas: policy dialogue, awareness raising, and income generation.
2019 - 2027
Laos
Initial vocational education and training
Vocational Training and Employment Support Services in Laos
The VTESS project aims at vocational training and labour market insertion or re-entering of schooling of the main project beneficiaries, who are people between 15 and 35 years of age, have completed primary and/ or lower secondary education only (early school leavers), and are subjected to income poverty. The main objective of the project is to improve the income and, ultimately, the livelihood of its beneficiaries.
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.

News

Laos
Green cities
06.12.2024
SCP Supports New Generation Environmental Journalists in Econews Training Programme 
The Sustainable Consumption and Production in Lao PDR (SCP Lao) project is designed to strengthen environmental Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), particularly those focused on youth and women, to contribute to green and inclusive economic growth. The project aims to strengthen the capacities of these organizations in key areas such as policy dialogue, awareness raising, and income generation. 
Laos
25.11.2024
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partners for the warm hospitality and support extended to the Swisscontact Foundation Council during their visit to Lao PDR in November
The Swisscontact Lao PDR team was honored to showcase our work in project implementation, featuring initiatives such as the Vocational and Technical Education Support Services (VTESS) Project, Waste to Value (W2V), Digital Literacy Initiative (DLI), and Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP Lao). This visit underscored our collaborative efforts and provided an opportunity to connect directly with both public and private partners
Laos
Initial vocational education and training
25.11.2024
Empowering Skills and Entrepreneurship: SDC Delegation Visit VTESS Project Activities to Saravan Province 
From 18–19 November 2024, a delegation from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) visited Saravan Province to observe the achievements of the Vocational Training and Employment Support Services (VTESS) project. This visit highlighted the transformative impact of skills development and entrepreneurship support on local communities. 
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.

10 years creating opportunities in Lao PDR
Where did we come from and where do we go
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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Contact

Swisscontact in Laos

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