Launching the Project “Enhancing the involvement of local communities in forest protection”
On the afternoon of May 31, 2024, the Center for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) in collaboration with the People's Committee of Phong Dien district organized a kickoff meeting for the project "Enhancing the involvement of local communities in Forest Protection in Phong Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province”.
The project will be implemented in the Tan My village and Ha Long hamlet, Phong My commune, Phong Dien district from March 2024 to June 2025, with non-refundable aid from the Solidaritätsdienst International e.V. (SODI), a German organization.
![tm-img-alt](https://vusta-en.vnmediacdn.com/images/2024/06/24/9917-1719198319-en-24-06-24-41.jpg)
Chairpersonsofthe meeting
The meeting was attended by Mr. Ho Don, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phong Dien district; Ms. Vu Thi Bich Hop, Director of the SRD Center; Mr. Le Ngoc Tuan, Chief Inspector of the Provincial Forest Protection Department; Mr. Dang Thanh Phu, Vice President of the Provincial VUSTA in Thua Thien Hue; leaders of departments its at the district level, along with the communities of Tan My village and Ha Long hamlet, Phong My commune.
![tm-img-alt](https://vusta-en.vnmediacdn.com/images/2024/06/24/9917-1719198319-en-24-06-24-42.jpg)
Mr. Ho Don,Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phong Dien districtdelivered the openningspeech
At the meeting, Mr. Ho Don stated that the project aims to support for local forest protection and development efforts. The project not only focuses on forest protection but also aims at enhancing awareness, providing training and skills for local residents, and increasing community participation in forest protection activities.
![tm-img-alt](https://vusta-en.vnmediacdn.com/images/2024/06/24/9917-1719198319-en-24-06-24-44.jpg)
Attendees at the meeting
At the meeting, the Chief of Provincial Forest Protection Department, the Sub-department Chief of the District Forest Protection, and the Chief of the Forest Protection Unit delivered remarks on forest management and protection in Phong Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province. Representatives from the forestry agency highly praised the community forest management model and the benefits of the forest environmental service payment policy for the locality. When local communities participate in forest management, they will have responsibility and motivation to protect the forest for their direct benefits. In the initial activities of the project in Phong My commune, both village communities showed great enthusiasm and commitment to the project. Representatives from the Community Forest Management Board of the two villages also expressed their desire for support for village-level forest protection teams to effectively carry out forest protection work at the local level, contributing to the nation's overall goals. The first-year activities of the project will focus on organizing training sessions to enhance the capacity and awareness of local residents in forest management and protection; supporting forest-dependent communities while providing equipment support to village-level forest protection teams for forest patrols, such as labor protection gear and smartphones…
![tm-img-alt](https://vusta-en.vnmediacdn.com/images/2024/06/24/9917-1719198319-en-24-06-24-45.jpg)
Theattandeesshared the first-year plan of the project
![tm-img-alt](https://vusta-en.vnmediacdn.com/images/2024/06/24/9917-1719198319-en-24-06-24-46.jpg)
Signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
After discussing specific objectives, implementation plans, potential challenges, and ways to address them during the project implementation, the leaders of SRD Center and Phong Dien District People's Committee signed a cooperation agreement to effectively implement the project.
![tm-img-alt](https://vusta-en.vnmediacdn.com/images/2024/06/24/9917-1719198319-en-24-06-24-47.jpg)
A commemorative photo of the attendees at the meeting