In 2025, we officially closed our Memorandum of Understanding with Nakai-Nam Theun National Park.

Since the signing of the MoU in 2019 and our pre-2019 actions in Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, the Association Anoulak has worked closely with Nakai-Nam Theun National Park to implement integrated programs in biodiversity research, anti-poaching efforts, community development, and conservation education.

Key Achievements Over > 7-Year Partnership with the Nakai-Nam Theun National Park

1. Biodiversity Research and Monitoring – Association Anoulak has led and supported a wide array of scientific research projects, contributing valuable data and insights into the park’s rich biodiversity. These include: primate research on red-shanked doucs and gibbons; Gibbon distribution and population monitoring; Botanical surveys across diverse habitats; Otter distribution surveys; A pioneering arboreal camera-trap program; Large-scale systematic ground camera-trap surveys to monitor mammals and ground birds; Research and conservation of the Large-antlered muntjac, a highly threatened endemic species; Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys; Elephant population monitoring and research; Research and conservation activities for the Endangered Worlf Barb (Luciocyprinus striolatus)

2. Anti-Poaching Patrol Support – In coordination with NNT NP, the association supported regular forest patrols aimed at reducing illegal hunting and wildlife trade, helping to safeguard the park’s most threatened species.

3. Conservation Education and Awareness – Awareness-raising efforts reached various levels of society through: Village-level educational activities and the creation and dissemination of conservation education resources and books

4. Community Livelihood Development – To support the resilience of local communities living in and around the park, Association Anoulak initiated sustainable income-generating activities, notably the development of handicraft value chains and marketing strategies, empowering villagers—especially women—to gain economic independence through traditional skills.

5. Capacity Building and Training – The project invested significantly in building the technical skills of local partners, including NNT NP staff, researchers, and community members involved in conservation programs.

6. Technical Advising to Park Authorities – Association Anoulak played an advisory role to the Nakai-Nam Theun National Park Authority, particularly in the design and implementation of biodiversity research and monitoring protocols.

Looking Ahead

As the MoU chapter with Nakai-Nam Theun National Park comes to a close, Association Anoulak remains fully committed to its mission in Lao PDR. The organization’s future focus will center on strengthening the capacity of Lao civil society in the conservation sector through three core programs:

• Youth Engagement – Inspiring and empowering young Lao individuals to explore and pursue careers in nature conservation through educational outreach, mentorship, and exposure to field-based opportunities.
• Professional Development for Lao Conservationists – Enhancing the skills and knowledge of Lao professionals working in environmental protection and biodiversity through tailored training such as the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation
• Scholarships for Lao Students – Supporting Lao students through academic scholarships to undertake higher education in the fields of environmental science, biodiversity conservation, and related disciplines, fostering the next generation of national conservation leaders.

Through these initiatives, Association Anoulak will continue to invest in building a resilient, skilled, and passionate Lao conservation community to ensure long-term stewardship of the country’s natural heritage.

We hope that you will continue to support and follow us in these new endeavors. Here is to a successful 2026 year!

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The meeting gathered representatives from key ministries—including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the National University of Laos—along with provincial and district-level officials. Their response was overwhelmingly positive, with participants commending our dedication and impact over the past 12 years in Nakai.

This gathering also served as a platform to discuss our transition, as Association Anoulak prepares to conclude its on-the-ground activities in Nakai-Nam Theun National Park by the end of 2025. We engaged in constructive discussions on ensuring the continuity of our work, exploring pathways for government partners to secure new collaborations that will build upon our legacy and sustain conservation efforts in the region.

To review our Annual Report 2024 (in English): HERE.

All participants at our Annual Meeting in February 2025 to present our achievements of 2024

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As we bid farewell to 2024, let’s celebrate a year of remarkable achievements and transformative milestones. Together, we’ve advanced our efforts in Biodiversity Research and Monitoring, empowered communities through Sustainable Livelihoods, and strengthened Capacity Building programs. What we can be the most proud of is the support we have provided to communities, youth, our team members which has positively impacted their livelihoods, growth, skills—bringing us, collectively, closer to a brighter and more sustainable future.

As we confront the complex challenges of biodiversity conservation in 2025, our association is embracing a transformative approach: shifting from direct implementation to empowering civil society as the champions of environmental protection. While anti-poaching patrols and research have yielded critical successes, long-term conservation requires building a foundation of local stewardship. By investing in education, capacity-building, and sustainable livelihoods, we aim to equip civil society with the skills, knowledge, and resources to lead conservation efforts themselves. This shift ensures that the next generation of conservation practitioners emerges from within, fostering a deep sense of ownership, resilience, and lasting commitment to safeguarding their natural heritage. Therefore, from 2025, we will focus our efforts on Capacity Building in Laos. We invite our donors and partners to join us in this bold vision for sustainable impact.

I am pleased to share with all of you our Annual Report 2024.

Camille. January 2025.

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I am pleased to share our Annual Report 2023 with you all. As for the past nine years since our foundation, 2023 has been full of adventures, celebrations, and challenges!

Looking back, 2023 was particularly busy with our programs on biodiversity research and monitoring and community sustainable livelihoods. Our achievements were only possible with the dedication of our team and the collaboration with government partners, technical partners, and donors. We are immensely grateful for the continuous endorsement and support from all of you!

We look forward to 2024, which will undoubtedly bring new adventures, celebrations, and challenges!

Camille.
~Founder and Director of Association Anoulak

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The progress on Association Anoulak’s Research Programs implemented this year (including Gibbon research; elephant research, Luciocyprinus striolatus research and wildlife monitoring program with camera-traps) and Community Sustainable Livelihoods Program (handcrafting village group setting up with marketing of products for income generating and natural resources management plans) were presented to the audience of 45 people (incl. 13 women) by Director Dr. Camille Coudrat and Community project manager Dr. Lampheuy Kaensombath.

Representatives from central, provincial, district and village levels gathering for Association Anoulak’s 2023 mid-year activity progress reporting meeting on 21 July

An open discussion followed to discuss the next steps, especially regarding the renewal of the current (2019-December 2023) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nakai-Nam Theun National Park to continue our ongoing programs. This process will be processed in the next few months. The new MoU will be essentially focussing on the Community Sustainable Livelihoods Program of Association Anoulak for 2024-2025 (spanning the remaining funding available for the project). Other Conservation-based biodiversity research projects might be further explored with partners, based on the strategy and needs of the Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, opportunities and future partnerships.

Presentation of Research Programs by Director Camille Coudrat

Presentation of Community Sustainable Livelihoods Program by Lampheuy Kaensombath

Handover of gift baskets (crafted by local communities from Nakai-Nam Theun, as part of our program) to Government partners

Handover of gift baskets to representatives from central, provincial and district offices

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Since 2019, Association Anoulak signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nakai-Nam Theun National Park to implement programs on: Biodiversity Research and Monitoring; Anti-poaching patrols; Community sustainable livelihoods; Conservation education and awareness.

All our programs are in line with Lao PDR’s:

• National Green Growth Strategy to 2030
• National Socio Economic and Development Plan (2021-2025)
• Forestry Law
• Wildlife and Aquatic Law Law
• National Elephant Management Action Plan of Lao PDR (2021-2031)
• Decree on Protected Areas (adopted in June 2023)
• IUCN Green List strategy for Nakai-Nam Theun National Park

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Dr. Camille Coudrat presented Association Anoulak’s Annual Report 2022 with an overview of all activities implemented during the year 2022. This was followed by a presentation from Association Anoulak’s Community Programs Manager Dr. Lampheuy providing an overview of the sustainable community livelihoods development program implemented by Association Anoulak over the last 3 years (2020-2023).

In addition, it was officially announced at the meeting (following previous consultations with partners) that from 2023, Association Anoulak signed an Memorandum of Agreement with the National University of Laos to oversee and collaborate in our research programs and projects. It was also announced during the meeting that our sustainable community livelihoods development was extended for another three years (2023-2025) as the second phase of the project to follow up on the first phase and ensure the long-term sustainability of the project, independently from Anoulak’s intervention by the end of the program. This will be overseen at the district level by the Nakai Governor Office and District Agriculture and Forestry Office, following the signature of a new agreement with the local partners in the next few weeks. The national park will remain one of the coordinators for projects implementation within the park.These new agreements provide great opportunities for future Anoulak’s programs!

All government partners provided positive feedback and praised Association Anoulak for its past achievements, notably in terms of the capacity building that we provide to local communities and local partners.

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This is with great pleasure that we are sharing our Annual Report 2022 below.

As our Annual Report 2022 testifies, it has been yet another busy year with the continuation of several of our projects and programs from the previous years as well as the start of exciting new biodiversity research projects.

Ever since Association Anoulak started its interventions in Laos, our long-term vision has been to try our best to establish a strong basis for the overall conservation of biodiversity in the Annamite Mountains of Laos.

Each year, our team works with determination to build the capacity and awareness of the next generation of Lao nationals. This also translates in our programs to study the least known and most threatened species and establish baseline information on the status of these species and to support local communities to develop and improve their livelihoods in a sustainable and long-term manner.

We are looking forward to the new year 2023!

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