Reducing poverty and inequality is a major priority for the government of Laos, which seeks to expand and improve its services to the people by empowering local communities to identify their own priorities, manage their local development projects, and control their own finances at the local level. UNDP and UNCDF off er technical and fi nancial assistance to a Laotian government program that provides access to clean water, schools, bridges and roads, as well as commercial infrastructure.