The Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) was established by a Prime Ministerial decree 073/PM in 2002, as a financially autonomous organization attached to the Government’s Office. PRF is the Government of Lao P.D.R’s (GOL) key initiative to reduce poverty and eradicate mass poverty by 2015. PRF was designed consistent with the National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy (NGPES), and compatible with GOL policies and plans, such as, the National Socio-economic Development Plan and the Rural Development and Poverty Eradication Plan. In September 2006, PRF was formally transferred to the Government’s Office (Decree 222/PM) and overseen by the National Leading Board for Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation (NLBRDPA) now the National Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (NCRDPE).
Prime Ministerial decree of January 10, 2012 (10/PM) clarified PRF’s organization, and it is now overseen by a wider Administrative Board comprised of the ministers, vice ministers or representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Planning and Investment, Agriculture and Forestry, Education and Sport, Public Health, Labor and Social Welfare, Industry and Commerce, and Energy and Mining, the Bank of Lao, the Lao Front for National Construction, the Lao Women’s Union, and the Lao Youth Union plus, members from civil society. An Executive Director appointed by the Administrative Board for a 3 year term, is responsible for PRF’s management and is accountable to the Board. Read more...