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  • Organisation

    RDA is a Lao-based non-profit social enterprise founded in 2009 as an offshoot of PADETC (Participatory Development Training Centre). RDA began as a semi-autonomous organization SuanMaiLao Eco-Forest Learning Centre (SML) which focused on educating young people and the general public on the importance of ecology in relation to holistic education and development. SML would go on to become theRural Development Agency (RDA) in 2015. RDA has gone on to expand its efforts toward developing and participating in projects that take community centred approaches in WASH, Nutrition, Environmental Conservation and Youth Engagement. RDA Vision is to become a model Agency that inspires and empowers rural communities. Our mission is facilitating a holistic self-sustaining capacity strengthening and quality provision of services in community education, environmental health and youth empowerment. The overall objective / Goal is to be recognized as innovative industry leaders, delivering quality programs in community development by investing in the training of RDAs human resources, fostering, creativity and developing individual capacity. RDA has extensive experience and networks within the Lao PDR working with young people, communities, local authorities and village functionalities in promoting sustainable and inclusive community development in Lao PDR. RDA believes communities have the ability to be self-sustaining when their capacity, confidence, networking, and dialogue skills are developed.

    • Organisation

      RDA is a Lao-based non-profit social enterprise founded in 2009 as an offshoot of PADETC (Participatory Development Training Centre). RDA began as a semi-autonomous organization SuanMaiLao Eco-Forest Learning Centre (SML) which focused on educating young people and the general public on the importance of ecology in relation to holistic education and development. SML would go on to become theRural Development Agency (RDA) in 2015. RDA has gone on to expand its efforts toward developing and participating in projects that take community centred approaches in WASH, Nutrition, Environmental Conservation and Youth Engagement. RDA Vision is to become a model Agency that inspires and empowers rural communities. Our mission is facilitating a holistic self-sustaining capacity strengthening and quality provision of services in community education, environmental health and youth empowerment. The overall objective / Goal is to be recognized as innovative industry leaders, delivering quality programs in community development by investing in the training of RDAs human resources, fostering, creativity and developing individual capacity. RDA has extensive experience and networks within the Lao PDR working with young people, communities, local authorities and village functionalities in promoting sustainable and inclusive community development in Lao PDR. RDA believes communities have the ability to be self-sustaining when their capacity, confidence, networking, and dialogue skills are developed.

    • Project

      RDA understands the term inclusive innovation to mean innovation that seeks to develop and deliver innovative goods and services incorporating the needs and interests of those most marginalised and vulnerable in society including the poor, women, children, youth,the disabled, and those identifying as LGBTQI+; and which seek to stimulate development for those groups. Inclusive innovation works to amplify the voices of the marginalised and must actively include those who are excluded from the mainstream of development. This means the work needs to not only be inclusive in its process but in its solutions as well. RDA is a strong believer in taking a participatory/human-centered design approach to program development and implementation. RDA utilizes Participatory Rural Appraisal and Action Research in many of its projects working intimately with communities to find the solutions that will work for them. One of our most recent projects included the Voice-funded InYouth project which reflects RDA approach to programming. While the general structure of the project was designed by RDA the target youth were involved in each step of the process from design to the final product and this was only possible because youth participants were given the tools (both practical and soft skills) and were empowered to take ownership of the project.

      Both RDA and STELLA understand the importance of the principle Nothing About Us, Without Us and understand the value of receiving a grant that will allow the piloting of innovative community development approaches. Often donors and partners ask for organizations (especially smaller or local organizations) to take the most conservative route when developing projects so we understand the significance of having the opportunity to even present innovative solutions for funding.

       
  • Project

    RDA understands the term inclusive innovation to mean innovation that seeks to develop and deliver innovative goods and services incorporating the needs and interests of those most marginalised and vulnerable in society including the poor, women, children, youth,the disabled, and those identifying as LGBTQI+; and which seek to stimulate development for those groups. Inclusive innovation works to amplify the voices of the marginalised and must actively include those who are excluded from the mainstream of development. This means the work needs to not only be inclusive in its process but in its solutions as well. RDA is a strong believer in taking a participatory/human-centered design approach to program development and implementation. RDA utilizes Participatory Rural Appraisal and Action Research in many of its projects working intimately with communities to find the solutions that will work for them. One of our most recent projects included the Voice-funded InYouth project which reflects RDA approach to programming. While the general structure of the project was designed by RDA the target youth were involved in each step of the process from design to the final product and this was only possible because youth participants were given the tools (both practical and soft skills) and were empowered to take ownership of the project.

    Both RDA and STELLA understand the importance of the principle Nothing About Us, Without Us and understand the value of receiving a grant that will allow the piloting of innovative community development approaches. Often donors and partners ask for organizations (especially smaller or local organizations) to take the most conservative route when developing projects so we understand the significance of having the opportunity to even present innovative solutions for funding.

     
  • Results

    The InYouth training program emphasised producing human resources for the film making industry and the project achieved its goal. Around 60 percent of the youth who completed the course were then employed by media companies or set up their own production group and studio. One young girl from Phongsaly province signed a contract with MindMedia as a film editing assistant and as an actress. Another participant from Salavan province who had very good photography skills opened up his own photography studio. There were also 4 members of the InYouth group who joined together to open up their InYouth Production Group to continue on media development. 

    Through the InYouth project, RDA was able to answer its learning questions regarding whether an edutainment series was effective to influence knowledge, attitudes and practices of youth aged 17-22 on sexual and gender-based violence. Prior to the premiere of the series, only 60 percent of participants were aware of sexual health and gender-based violence. The findings also revealed some misunderstandings around sexual health, with 45 percent of participants not using a condom while having intercourse and 85 percent not having an STD/HIV check with a doctor, putting them at risk. Another common attitude was that partner violence was normal and gender-based violence was a private issue, not as a social issue. After watching the series, changes to knowledge, attitudes and practices on health and gender-based violence were apparent. Condom use increased and many of the youth indicated to consult with their parents on making decisions around health in the future. 

    Media:  

    http://www.panya.online/list/13 

    My Home (ບ້ານເຮົາ).mp4 – Google Drive 

    HOUSE the series, 8 episodes: 

    (87) ເຮົາ House the series ຕອນທິີ 1 – ເຮົາ House the series EP1 – YouTube 

    (87) ເຮົາ House the series – EP:02 – YouTube 

    (87) ເຮົາ House the series – EP:03 – YouTube 

    (87) ເຮົາ House the series – EP:04 – YouTube 

    ເຮົາ House the series – EP:05 – YouTube 

    ເຮົາ House the series – EP06 – YouTube 

    (87) ເຮົາ House the series – EP07 – YouTube 

    (87) ເຮົາ House the series – EP08 ຕອນຈົບ – YouTube 

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