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 was started in 2000 and 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 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.
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$40,000. Hence the name - 'microproject'.
A total of 76 projects have been undertaken, or are in the process of being
implemented, since 2000. The total number of beneficiaries is estimated at
over 200,000 persons in 16 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.
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