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.
More about us…
Foundation's Statutes…

Our assistance in the SR of 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 76 projects have been undertaken in Vietnam since the start of the programme. See photos of a sampling of projects below:


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 2 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: Projects implemented in 2009 in Gia Lai and Kontum Provinces have been completed satisfactorily. These include the installation of electricity in a village of leprosy victimes and the construction of a small bridge in Gia Lai Province; an irrigation canal, 3 small primary schools, and a dormitory in Kontum Province. FMV-DPRK has visited all projects and found that they were completed according to specifications.

From 16-20 May 2010 FMV-DPRK visited the Central Highlands and completed its selection of 6 new projects for 2010-2011. These include irrigation canals, drinking water, a primary school and 2 bridges in Dak Nong and Kontum Provinces. News items and new project proposals

DPR of KOREA: FMV-DPRK visited the DPRK from 3-10 May 2010 to evaluate the completion of 2 primary schools built in Anak and Chaeryong Counties, South Hwanghae Province. Both projects were completed satisfactorily for the benefit of some 300 students each. FMV-DPRK also visited the site for the construction of a new primary school in Bongchon County, South Hwanghae Province, which FMV-DPRK intends to finance in 2010.

A total of US$250,000 is being sought to finance 6 projects in Kontum and Dak Nong Provinces in 2010-11. A further US$80,000 is being sought for the construction of 2 primary schools in the DPRK in 2010-11. More on funding…

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…

Join the cause on Facebook...

More photos of Vietnam on Flickr... More photos of DPRK on Flickr...

More information on Linkedin...