Foundation for Microprojects in Vietnam

The Foundation for Microprojects in Vietnam (FMV) was founded in 2000 by Christopher J. Carpenter [http://microprojects-vietnam.org/pages/Viet%20Nam%20At%20Work.htm] , 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 of Vietnam.

Background

Following a meeting with the Prime Minister in 1999, an agreement was concluded with Vietnam's Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, (MOLISA), Hanoi, to facilitate implementation of the programme.

The programme consists of financing small, locally-designed community development 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 is headquartered in Switzerland.

Mission

The Foundation's mission is to help alleviate poverty in the rural areas of Vietnam. The Foundation finances small-scale community-development projects that can have an immediate impact on the economy and livelihood of the local population.

Assistance

The Foundation's assistance focuses on the installation of drinking water, the construction of primary and secondary schools, rural roads, bridges, medical clinics and irrigation systems. Each project costs no more than US$30,000. A total of 61 projects have been undertaken, or are in the process of being implemented, since 2000.

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.

Funding

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.

Recognition

The Foundation was awarded the Medal of Friendship [http://microprojects-vietnam.org/pages1/Welcome%20to%20Vietnam%20Pictorial.htm] , 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 several provinces.

External links

www.microprojects-vietnam.org [http://microprojects-vietnam.org.html Official site]