| Abstract | The purpose of the study was to find out the project planning, implementation, and management capability of VO representing three major ethnic groups, namely Lao Soung, Lao Theung, and Lao Loum. Besides, it examined VO structure and the processes of project planning, implementation, and management in each community. The study also analyzed mechanism adopted to mobilize resources required for development projects. In addition, cross tabulations, charts, indexes, and chi-square test were use as the major tools for data analysis. The study found that the degree of villagers' involved in project planning system related to plan formulation and project preparation was higher in Lao Loum than Lao Soung and Lao Theung ethnic groups. Villagers and VO members did not involved in the project approval process. The villagers' awareness of development concept and improving living condition of the people were the major mechanisms to stimulate them in the planning process. Project planning, implementation, and management capability was stronger in Lao Loum than in Lao Soung and Lao Theung VOs. The reasons behind the strong capability of Lao Loum were (1) head of village of Lao Loum is educated up to high school level, and Village Committee Members (VCM) are members of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, (2) The VCM economic status and the productivity paddy was found better than Lao Soung and Lao Theung. The study also revealed that the degree of people's participation in selected projects was the highest in Lao Loum. The villagers' participation was higher in irrigation compared to income generation component of those projects. The results of this analysis revealed that the main local resource contribution to the selected development project was villagers' labor followed by the cash, kind, and idea respectively. People's participation, education, training, village volunteers, ethnic group association, were the main factors influencing the project planning, implementation, and management capability of the VOs. In order to muster project planning, implementation, and management capability of the VOs, it is suggested to adopt the comprehensive policy and strategy recommendations with focus on promotion and encouragement of participatory approaches, provision and increasing of VCM salary to the reasonable level. Establishment of VO model group among neighboring villages in project planning, implementation, and management system by providing support from internal and external development agencies is highly desirable. |