Empowering rural youth through community-based skill development activities in Lao PDR

In remote villages of Lao PDR, young people face significant barriers to formal education and vocational training. Supported by the Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF) programme, community-based initiatives are bridging this gap by equipping rural youth with practical skills for sustainable livelihoods. This is the story of Khong Mua, a 20-year-old farmer whose journey illustrates the transformative power of local training.

Khong Mua, a 20-year-old H’mong man from Viengthong District, Bolikhamxay Province, lives in Thabo village with his 16-year-old wife, their one-year-old child, his mother and three younger sisters – two in primary school and one in secondary school. His father passed away a few years ago, and Khong Mua had to step into the role of family breadwinner, a significant shift from his previously carefree life.

The family’s livelihood depends largely on agriculture. They cultivate rice for consumption, as well as cassava, chayote and cucumber for income. A sharp decline in cassava prices recently disrupted their income stability. Determined to adapt, Khong Mua began trading chickens within his village.

In July 2025, Khong Mua attended a basic poultry-raising training in Sopna village, organised by the Non-Formal Education Centre (NFEC) in collaboration with the Viengthong District Agriculture and Environment Office, and supported by the STAF programme. Equipped with new knowledge, he began with 30 chickens and maintained regular contact with his trainer by phone for advice. He also experimented with home-grown feed supplements based on techniques learned from YouTube. By October, his efforts paid off – he sold most of his flock for 3 million LAK, kept 4 birds for breeding and now has 12 chicks. In the same month, he joined a basic entrepreneurship training with the same trainers to prepare for expanding his farm to 200 chickens.

When asked about pursuing formal chicken-raising training at a vocational school or college for higher-level expertise, Khong Mua expressed interest but noted that family obligations keep him close to home. His story mirrors that of many rural Lao youth who find further education out of reach. For them, village-based skill development opportunities, tailored to local realities, are essential for sustainable livelihoods.

This need was also highlighted by a training needs assessment involving 6,140 young people in target areas, with 86% reporting a preference for community-based training.

Responding to this need, NFECs, with support from the STAF programme, are implementing community-based skill development initiatives. The model begins with basic technical training designed to strengthen practical skills and improve productivity. Trainees who apply these skills and want to expand their activities can then enrol in higher-level capacity building in income-oriented farm management. These include entrepreneurship training, savings promotion, technical coaching and facilitated access to financial services, inputs, and markets – key components for enabling youth to pursue viable self-employment. The approach is modular, community-based, needs-driven and market-relevant, addressing challenges such as limited mobility, low readiness for formal training and local market constraints.

The five-year (2023–2027) STAF programme is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland, the European Union and Lao PDR, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR with the support of LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.