To enhance local understanding and responsibility for forest conservation, the Điện Biên provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund has been actively organizing training sessions for communities in villages and communes to effectively implement PFES. This has contributed to the successful implementation of policies aimed at ensuring sustainable forest resource management.

In April 2025, the provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund successfully held a series of capacity-building workshops for forest owners, particularly those in rural communities, in Nậm Pồ and Mường Nhé districts. In Nậm Pồ, six workshops were held, attracting 147 participants, while five workshops were conducted in Mường Nhé, with 137 participants - all members of the community forest management boards.

During these workshops, participants were comprehensively introduced to the legal framework related to PFES, such as the Forestry Law, Decree No.156/2018/ND-CP, and Decree No.91/2024/ND-CP amending certain provisions of Decree 156. In addition, the Fund’s facilitators guided participants on how to develop management plans, allocate, and monitor the use of PFES funds; maintain PFES records; and calculate the K coefficient - a crucial factor in determining appropriate payment levels for each community.

A key participant, Lò Văn Sáng, Head of Nà Hỳ 2 hamlet in Nà Hỳ commune (Nậm Pồ district), shared: “Through the workshop, I have gained a better understanding of the PFES payment process, how to calculate the K coefficient, keep records, and create transparent plans for fund usage. This knowledge is essential for managing our forest effectively in the community. We hope the fund will continue to offer more workshops to improve the awareness and skills of local people in forest protection.”

To ensure the workshops were relevant and met the actual needs of local people and forest owners regarding PFES, the facilitators adopted a learner-centered approach. Through group discussions, presentations, and sharing practical experiences, the participants not only learned from the instructors but also exchanged knowledge based on real-life forest management models. Several innovative practices were introduced, such as holding community meetings to agree on PFES fund allocation plans, prioritizing investments for patrol equipment, and encouraging participation in forest fire prevention. These practical ideas helped improve transparency, openness, and consensus within the community.

Vàng A Dùng, an official from the provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund, emphasized that the training workshops not only provide knowledge and skills but also serve as a platform for community members to voice their concerns. This is a democratic forum where forest management board members can create solutions tailored to local conditions. When people understand their rights and responsibilities, they will be more proactive in forest protection, which ensures sustainable income and effective forest conservation.

While the workshops have yielded positive results, they also provided an opportunity for the community to express their challenges in implementing PFES. Some issues raised included incomplete record-keeping, irregular internal monitoring, and a lack of consensus on how to allocate PFES funds for different community needs. Based on these issues, the participants proposed specific solutions, such as organizing village-specific workshops and supporting the development of PFES fund management regulations that align with the local context and needs.

The full participation and serious commitment of participants from both Nậm Pồ and Mường Nhé districts demonstrated the responsibility, care, and commitment of the communities in managing and utilizing PFES funds. At the end of each workshop, the groups of villages were tasked with creating plans to manage and use PFES funds locally, laying the groundwork for effective implementation as soon as the training concluded. This underscores the importance of the training program in building the capacity of community forest owners and improving the efficiency of PFES policy implementation in the province.

With technical support from the provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund and active community participation, PFES is no longer just a policy but has become a driving force for people to connect with forests, live sustainably from forest resources, and protect forests through their collective responsibility.