Officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, UNDP, USAID, and the Government of Ireland attend the launch of the new LEAP project. - Photo: Vientiane Times/ANN
VIENTIANE: A project titled Enhancing Efficiency and Accessibility of Public Services in Laos (LEAP) was launched on Friday (Dec 13) with the aim of creating a more effective and inclusive public service system.
This would ensure that all citizens—especially those in underserved and remote areas—can access the services they need. The project is being implemented with funding from USAID and the Government of Ireland.
The total cost of the four-year project, starting this year, is US$3 million, with anticipated funding from USAID (US$3 million) and the Government of Ireland (€1 million EUR).
Speaking at the project launch, Minister of Home Affairs Vilayvong Bouddakham said the government is committed to modernising public administration and aligning it with the country’s development priorities.
The project represents an important step forward in enhancing the accessibility and efficiency of public services in Laos, ensuring that the government’s efforts reach every corner of the country, especially those most in need.
The project aims to streamline service delivery processes to improve efficiency, leverage digital tools to make services more accessible, strengthen institutional capacities to respond effectively to people’s needs, empower civil society organisations to enhance access to public services, address local needs, and foster community-based solutions.
The core of the project will follow a people-centered approach, as highlighted by Martine Thérer, Resident Representative, UNDP Lao PDR.
“The LEAP project represents a crucial step towards a public administration that is more transparent, efficient, and centered around the needs of the people. It is a vital part of UNDP’s commitment to promoting good governance, upholding the rule of law, and advancing human rights in Laos,” she said.
“We believe that ODSCs should serve as more than just service centres. They can also be an important bridge between the people and the government, ensuring that citizens’ needs are met to the fullest,” said Michael McCord, USAID Country Representative to Laos.
“The LEAP project’s efforts to improve the efficiency, accessibility and inclusivity of public services are a vital step in advancing us all towards such a goal.”
The Ambassador of Ireland to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, Deirdre Ní Fhallúin, said “We believe that the LEAP project will significantly contribute to building a public service system that truly serves all Lao people, particularly the most vulnerable. Reaching the furthest behind is a core part of Ireland’s approach to development cooperation.”
As the project begins its implementation phase, the potential for transformative change in the lives of Lao citizens is promising.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and UNDP are working in partnership to ensure public administration is a bridge to equitable development.
High quality services and increasing access to all people can transform lives and ensure that no one is left behind.
Equal access to public services is a fundamental right, yet challenges like inefficiency and limited reach often hinder this in many countries, including Laos. - Vientiane Times/ANN
