In the workshop on approval of researches/projects conducted by IPSARD, Ms Le Thi Phi Van, who works in Agricultural System Division, on behalf of the research team, presented in the morning of January 4, 2007 the study “Some community models on management of investment for rural development”.

The study was implemented in provinces of Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh and Hue. The main topic covered by the study is on Commune Development Fund of IFAD project and models under CBRIP, NMPRP, PLAN, CIDA, AAV, World Vision, 134, 135.

Through studying the operations of these models, the author suggests that there have remained a number of problems. Participating in the study of these models mainly comprises researchers at ministerial level while there is a lack of supervision officials at community and commune levels. The machinery operation and maintenance have not been paid with due attention because of fund shortages. In addition, procedures to fulfill payment and expenditure statement, basic construction and state budget disbursement etc. are extremely complicated and cumbersome, while cost norms are low and not appropriate to the reality and thus causing problems to project management.

To overcome the above mentioned problems, it is important to develop recommendations. Financial procedures should be more streamlining and integrated and capacities be strengthened and budget adequate. There is also a need to develop and promote institutional in order to support decentralization so as to link community supervision with physical benefits as well as socialize investment management.

Following the author’s presentation, participants raised comments to the study. In their views, the author should limit topics so that they can be more deeply analyzed. Recommendations in the study should focus more on policy issues.