Coordinating for greater impact

Supporting community forestry depends on strong coordination between government agencies, technical partners and local communities. Under the ‘Enhancing access to benefits while lowering emissions’ (EnABLE) project, that coordination is helping align technical support with community priorities across Lao PDR’s Luang Prabang, Oudomxay and Xayaboury provinces.

“EnABLE has been working closely with GFLL to ensure that activities contribute to national REDD+ priorities while responding to the needs of communities,” says Hongkham Seneanachack, deputy head of the Forestry Section and chief coordinator of the GFLL project at the Luang Prabang Provincial Agriculture and Environment Office

This collaboration is built on a memorandum of understanding signed in August 2025 between RECOFTC and the Department of Forestry, Lao PDR.

Aligning support around community priorities

Rather than working in parallel, EnABLE and GFLL have aligned their workplans, technical approaches and field activities to provide more coordinated support to communities. Technical discussions have helped clarify roles and responsibilities, identify shared priorities and make better use of available expertise and resources.

This collaboration also supports the delivery of both carbon and non-carbon benefits by ensuring that technical assistance builds on priorities identified through community engagement.

The improved coordination mechanisms help strengthen communication and collaboration between government agencies and project partners involved in implementation.

Building the foundations for implementation

Alongside technical coordination, EnABLE has established project management committees at central and local levels to strengthen communication and coordination between government agencies, project partners and local stakeholders throughout implementation.

These mechanisms help connect planning with action. They support the delivery of activities on the ground while providing opportunities to share lessons, coordinate technical support and respond to challenges as implementation progresses.

As EnABLE moves forward, close collaboration with GFLL will continue to guide how support is delivered to communities.

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Vongdeuane Soulalay is project coordinator for EnABLE.

The EnABLE project focuses on strengthening land tenure, village forest management, climate-smart livelihoods and gender equality and social inclusion. Implemented by RECOFTC with support from the World Bank, EnABLE works to ensure that women, ethnic groups and local communities can access carbon and non-carbon benefits under the Lao PDR Emission Reduction Programme.