A recently published report found that PanAust subsidiary Phu Bia Mining’s Sustainable Livelihoods Programme (PBM SLP) exceeds global evaluation benchmarks for the positive impact it is having on local communities in Xaysomboun province’s Anouvong district.

CIVITAS, a Laos registered,independent,international organisation, visited PBM’s SLP activities from November 20-30 to review and assess nine key SLP projects that ran from 2018-2022.

Interviews with 30 local communities from eight villages and related government agencies at the district, provincial and central levels were conducted to gain comprehensive evaluations of all projects.

The review was part of PBM’s global evaluation initiative, the first time the Company has used global ratings from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Evaluation Criteria 1.

The review also uses the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Evaluation Manual 2022-Part 1 Rating System 2 with scores ranging from 0 to 5.

The report of CIVITAS revealed the SLP scored ‘5’, the highest for relevance and sustainability. The programme addresses local needs and priorities aligned with local and national development goals. The programme also showcased strong engagement with the 244 farmers who were part of the programme’s activities.

There were also significant income increases for 214 farmers, generating more than US$606,891 in 2022, while also creating extension services and material inputs including better access to market. The program continues to provide ongoing training and opportunities for farmers through the Company’s capacity building initiatives and is likely to benefit local communities beyond the program’s timeframe.

SLP also rated highly in ‘strong effectiveness and efficiency’. The program achieved most of its objectives and had a significantly positive impact on the farmers and villages covered. The program was commended for its efficient use of resources and in minimising waste. The efficiency score aligns with the data showing high use of training resources, and the national and provincial Departments of Agriculture and Forestry’s Green and Sustainable Agriculture Framework, while delivering cost efficient coaching and mentoring support for farmers.