PROJECT LAUNCH WORKSHOP: “ENABLING WOMEN IN CENTRAL OF VIET NAM TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVE AND PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES BY APPLYING GREEN AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN DA NANG CITY”

On March 14, the Da Nang Union of Science and Technology Associations (DANUSTA), in collaboration with the GreenViet Biodiversity Conservation Center, organized a project launch workshop titled “Enabling women in Central of Viet Nam to improve their live and protect the environment, natural resources by applying green and circular economy in Da Nang city”. The workshop attracted nearly 100 participants, including representatives from central and local government agencies, international organizations, state management authorities, enterprises, and women’s groups involved in the project.

The project, funded by the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam, is implemented in Da Nang city and Quang Nam province over a four-year period (2025–2028), with pilot locations in Tho Quang ward (Son Tra district) and Hoa Bac commune (Hoa Vang district) in Da Nang, and Tu commune (Dong Giang district) in Quang Nam. The project is jointly implemented by the GreenViet Center for Biodiversity Conservation, Visible Impact (Germany), and the Center for Social Development Research (CSDR).

Dr. Vu Thi Bich Hau – Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Da Nang City delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of the People’s Committee of Da Nang. She warmly welcomed delegates from abroad, central agencies, neighboring provinces, universities, NGOs, and enterprises. She emphasized that the project’s approval by the Da Nang People’s Committee demonstrates the city leadership’s strong commitment to green and circular development. The project addresses a pressing global issue—improving livelihoods while protecting the environment—and is expected to achieve its objectives within the planned timeframe.

In his opening speech, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Phuc, Standing Vice President of DANUSTA, stated: “Green and circular economy is not only a global trend but also a key to achieving a sustainable future. This project creates new opportunities where women are empowered not only in economic development but also as pioneers in environmental protection.”

The project aims to enhance knowledge, build capacity, and support local communities in adopting green and circular business models, thereby contributing to the national target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
At the workshop, Mr. Gonzalo Serrano, Deputy Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, shared that the project would benefit a specific group of women and vulnerable people, enabling them to improve their livelihoods while contributing to environmental and natural resource protection. With the engagement of all relevant agencies and localities, the project is expected to meet its objectives by 2028.

The workshop heard a presentation on the preliminary results of the project’s input assessment, showing the potential and challenges when applying green and circular economy in localities. In Da Nang City, the project was approved by the City People’s Committee in Decision No. 2877/QD-UBND dated December 25, 2024, with the Union of Science and Technology Associations as the Project Owner. The main results and activities of the project mentioned at the workshop include: Enhancing women’s capacity on green and circular economy through training on green economy and circular economy; training on the Internal Strength-Based Community Development Method (ABCD) for women in Hoa Bac commune, Tho Quang ward; organizing domestic and international study tours; hiring domestic and international experts to guide and support women participating throughout the project implementation period.

Not only stopping at knowledge about green and circular economy. The project also aims to have 70% of people in Hoa Bac commune and Tho Quang ward understand about green and circular economy; 165 women in Hoa Bac commune and Tho Quang ward take the initiative in the production process, increasing income by 30% through: Supporting the Women’s Union of Hoa Bac commune, Hoa Bac Ecological Agriculture and Community Tourism Cooperative, Tho Quang Ward Women’s Union, Tho Quang Seafood Processing Business Cooperative (Cooperative expected to be established in the project) to complete the network of links according to the circular economic chain; creating jobs in the direction of green and circular economy for women’s groups; creating a financial mechanism to support green and circular economy led by women through organizing green and circular economy initiative competitions and awarding prizes; hiring business experts to provide regular technical support for business initiatives; Organize annual workshops between investors, local businesses and women-led businesses to mobilize sustainable capital for green and circular economic initiatives; organize product promotion activities and market connections for Hoa Bac commune and Tho Quang ward; create a local fund to mobilize and secure capital for green and circular economic activities with a total budget of about 1.5 billion VND.

Green, circular and women-led economy does not only stop at the direct beneficiaries of the project but also expands to the community through communication programs on green and circular economy including: organizing communication campaigns to promote green and sustainable consumption, raising awareness of green and circular economy; supporting members of Cooperatives and Women’s Union to participate in learning and sharing experiences at green and circular economy forums; supporting women in Cooperatives to organize workshops to share experiences in implementing green and circular economy; integrating green and circular economy principles into the annual socio-economic development plan of Hoa Bac commune and Tho Quang ward.

In addition, the project also provides funding and technical support for operations and business for cooperatives led by women; organizes fundraising campaigns for the Women’s Union; organizes competitions for women applying green and circular economic models and seminars/exhibitions to connect and introduce business models in the direction of green and circular economy, contributing to raising awareness in the community. Through that, it helps women improve their capacity in applying green and circular economy to contribute to improving the economy, protecting the environment and natural resources.

The main results of the project are:
– 165 women in Hoa Bac commune and Tho Quang ward were trained on green, circular economy and sustainable consumption; 60 women were trained on the method of internal-based community development (ABCD) to improve business and production capacity towards green, circular and sustainable economy.
– 165 women in Hoa Bac commune and Tho Quang ward have stable jobs, increasing their income by 30% through production and business activities towards green, circular economy.
– 70% of people in Hoa Bac commune and Tho Quang ward understand green, circular economy. Green, circular economy is integrated into the annual socio-economic development plan of the commune and ward to contribute to the protection of natural resources and biodiversity.
– Establish 01 commune and ward level fund and raise funds with a total budget of about 1.5 billion VND. The fund is managed and used by the Women’s Union to support members’ livelihoods towards a green and circular economy.