The Foundation for Microprojects in Vietnam was established in 2003 by Christopher J. Carpenter, a former Representative in Vietnam of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to provide grass-roots assistance to the poorest villages of the country as a contribution towards the Vietnamese Hunger Eradication and Poverty Alleviation Programme.

At the request of the DPR of Korea, a similar programme was started in the DPRK in 2009. As a result, the name of the foundation was changed to the Foundation for Microprojects in Vietnam-DPRK (FMV-DPRK). We are a Swiss based non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) funded by private donations.
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Our assistance in VIETNAM focuses on the installation of drinking water, the construction of primary and secondary schools, rural roads, bridges, medical clinics and irrigation systems. FMV-DPRK contributes no more than US$40,000 to each project. The local communities also contribute to the projects. A total of 80 projects have been undertaken in Vietnam since the start of the programme. Photos below are of latest completed projects in Dac Nong and in Kontum Provinces:


In the DPR of KOREA our assistance has focused on the reconstruction of primary and secondary schools destroyed by flooding. As in Vietnam, FMV-DPRK contributes no more than US$40,000 towards each project. The local authorities and the Korea Education Fund (KEF) also contributed to the projects. A total of 2 primary schools and 3 secondary schools have been built in the DPRK. See below photos of completed primary and secondary schools.


A detailed description of all projects can be found by clicking the appropriate link to the left of this page.
What kind of projects do we fund?…
How are the projects selected?…

VIETNAM: FMV-DPRK visited Kontum Province on 18-21 October 2011 and selected 3 projects for implementation in 2012. These include a drinking water project in Dak Glei District, an irrigation project in Dak Ha District and the construction of a suspension bridge in Konray District. Each of these projects will benefit ethnic minorities living in some of the poorest communes of the province. The projects are expected to get underway in early 2012 and be completed by mid-year.
News items and new project proposals

DPR of KOREA:FMV-DPRK visited the DPRK from 24-28 October 2011 to evaluate the completion of one secondary school built in Bongchon County, South Hwanghei Province. This project, an 18-classroom school for 350 students, was successfully completed in time for the opening of the 2011-2012 school year despite extremely heavy rains and flooding.

FMV-DPRK also visited the sites of two new projects proposed for 2012 in South Hwanghei Province. These include the construction of 2 secondary schools, in Bongchon and Baechon Counties respectively, to replace schools which were destroyed by the heavy rains earlier this year. Both schools will have 18 classrooms and will accommodate 360 and 420 students respectively. It is expected that construction of these schools will get underway after the winter and be completed by the start of the 2012 academic year.

All projects for 2010-2011 have been fully funded and have been carried out satisfactorily. It is expected that a further 3 projects will be implemented in Kontum Provice in 2012 at a cost of $120,000.
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The following is a list of contributors to the foundation. List of contributors...

The Foundation was awarded the Medal of Friendship by the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in March 2004 and the Medal of Labour by the Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in March 2002 for contributions made towards the alleviation of poverty in Vietnam.

The Foundation has also been awarded certificates of appreciation by Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri and Thanh Hoa Provinces, Vietnam, and by the Korea Education Fund, DPRK.

'Visit to the Central Highlands, Vietnam', 5 November 2009. For an account of C.J. Carpenter's visit to the Central Highlands to identify projects for ethnic minorities living in the area, go to blog…

'Visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)', 21 November 2008. For an account of C.J. Carpenter's visit to the DPRK to evaluate projects in that country, go to blog…

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