The primary aims of the planning grant are to promote the participation of key stakeholders of the proposed project, including local authorities and relevant agencies and communities, and provide scientific assistance for the project development. Major activities of the project include conducting surveys on socio-economic conditions of the proposed project site, identifying proposed project objectives and activities and assessing their feasibility, and providing needed technical assistance in project design and writing project proposal which will be submitted to GEF/SGP for review and appraisal; and identifying possibilities for project synergies and resource mobilization.

The project aims to develop a demonstration model in Hy Cuong Commune to strengthen responsbilities and promote the role of the local governemnt and people in forest fire management. It gives priority to awareness-raising, capacity building activities and and testing incentives to encourage community participation in forest fire prevention and control. The project is expected to distill lessons learnt and experiences from the demonstration model in Hy Cuong Commune and replicate them in the other communes of Den Hung, hence contributing to the development of the strategy and action plans for forest fire prevention and control of Phu Tho Province.