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ABOUT US

INTRODUCTION

The programme was initiated as a private effort 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 National Hunger Eradication and Poverty Alleviation Programme.

Following a meeting with the Prime Minister in 1999 (see right), an agreement was concluded with the Vietnamese Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) to facilitate implementation of the programme.

The programme consists of financing small, locally-designed projects which can be quickly implemented, with the cooperation of the local authorities, and which can have an immediate impact on the poorest communities.

The Foundation for Microprojects in Vietnam (FMV) was established with its headquarters in Switzerland in 2003 order to promote financial support for future projects.

The concept of microprojects has been successfully used in Vietnam by organizations such as the United Nations and others as an effective means to alleviate poverty at the grass-roots level.

Experience has shown that project sustainability is ensured by the fact that their conception and design originates at the local level.

These are the most urgent needs as identified by the communities themselves. In addition, since the local communities contribute scarce funding of their own toward each project, the local authorities and population have the necessary incentive to ensure that the facilities are properly maintained and used over the long term.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Foundation for Microprojects in Vietnam,
Christopher J. Carpenter, President
Email: c.carpenter@bluewin.ch

Address in Switzerland:

Chemin au Coudre 18,
CH-1263 Crassier,
Switzerland.
Tel/fax: +41 22 367-1416;
Mobile: +41 79 255-8035

Address in Vietnam:

60 Nguyen Thai Hoc,
Hanoi,
Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Tel: +84 4 845-7871/845-6785
Fax: +84 4 823-2055
Mobile: +41 79 255-8035

  OBJECTIVES

The objective of the Foundation for Microprojects in Vietnam is to help alleviate poverty in the rural areas of Vietnam. The Foundation finances small-scale rural-development projects that can have an immediate impact on the livelihood of the local population.

Assistance focuses on the installation of drinking water, the construction of primary and secondary schools, rural roads, bridges, dispensaries and irrigation systems in the poorer communes of the country.

Each project costs no more than US$30,000. Hence the name - 'microproject'.

A total of 60 projects have been undertaken, or are in the process of being implemented, since 2000. The total number of beneficiaries is estimated at 161,000 persons in 12 provinces.

The Foundation for Microprojects in Vietnam is a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) funded by the private donations of its founder and other individual supporters.

Contributions to the foundation are currently being sought and would be welcome. Please see under 'Funding'.
For further information, please contact: c.carpenter@bluewin.ch.

More details can be found on the following links:

Assistance
Basic criteria
Foundation's Statutes

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