EU funds up to VND 1.8 billion for women-led green initiatives

On May 5, Oxfam in Viet Nam announced the second call for proposals under the 'Project on supporting women-led green initiatives' (PWG).

Funded by the European Union, the PWG project will launch three calls for proposals, supporting up to 65 initiatives in total. Each initiative may receive funding of up to VND 1.8 billion (equivalent to EUR 60,000), with an implementation period of 12 to 15 months.

The initiatives will be implemented in Lao Cai, Hue City, Da Nang City, Ca Mau, Tuyen Quang, and An Giang - localities increasingly affected by climate change and facing strong demand for sustainable natural resource management, climate-resilient agriculture, and community-based livelihood transitions toward sustainability.

Speaking at the information-sharing workshop, Mr. Gonzalo Serrano De La Rosa, Deputy Head of Development Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Viet Nam, emphasized that Viet Nam is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Women and vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected, while gender inequality in access to land, finance, and decision-making continues to limit women’s role in green transition efforts.

“This second call for proposals is so critical. It is an opportunity to scale up what works, address gaps, and deepen collaboration between women’s organisations, local authorities, and the private sector”, he noted. 

Previously, the first call - launched on Earth Day 2025 by Oxfam in Viet Nam - received 119 applications from 107 organizations, with 18 initiatives selected for funding.

According to the EU, PWG is part of the EU - Viet Nam Women-led Green Partnership Program, aligned with three major EU commitments: the European Green Deal, the Gender Action Plan III (GAP III), and the Sustainable Development Goals - particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 13 (Climate Action). The project also aligns with Viet Nam’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the National Strategy on Gender Equality.

“Through this call, we aim to translate commitments into concrete actions by supporting non-state actors in implementing gender-responsive green initiatives tailored to community needs,” he added.

Mr. Pham Quang Tu, Deputy Country Director of Oxfam in Viet Nam, stated that PWG is contributing to strengthening the role of women and girls in sustainable development and green transition. The project provides small grants to qualified and legally operating Vietnamese organizations.

PWG seeks to enhance women’s active participation, positioning them as agents and leaders of change. Through small-scale initiatives, the project functions as a “living lab,” where solutions are co-designed and implemented with the engagement of communities, civil society organizations, and relevant stakeholders.

Selected initiatives will undergo an independent evaluation process, followed by approval procedures in accordance with Decree No. 313/2025/ND-CP on the management and use of non-ODA grants in Viet Nam.

By 2029, PWG aims to support at least 33 women-led enterprises operating in climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, sustainable livelihoods, and waste management - delivering greater economic benefits for women and girls. The project is expected to create job opportunities for more than 1,155 women and girls from diverse backgrounds within the green and circular economy, while driving at least 10 policy and practice changes at the local level. Ultimately, an estimated 7 to 10 million people will gain improved access to information, knowledge, and opportunities related to green jobs.

Minh Hanh