The Climate Protection through Avoided Deforestation (CliPAD) Programme was initiated in 2009 to support the Lao Government in its REDD+ Readiness Process on national and sub-national level. The programme provides policy advice and capacity development supporting the establishment of the national and provincial REDD+ framework and REDD+ planning processes. At the local level, mitigation activities are piloted and pro-poor REDD+ mechanisms and sustainable financing models are developed. GIZ works in close cooperation with the financial component, financed by the federal Republic of Germany through KfW Development Bank.