Da Nang prioritizes international aid for green economy projects

The Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations (DAFO), in coordination with the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM) under the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and Canadian organization Catalyste+, held an international workshop titled “Foreign Non-Governmental Organizations in the New Context: Towards a Green Economy, Circular Economy and Sustainable Development - An Inevitable Global Trend.”

Speaking at the workshop, Nguyen Dinh Vinh, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Da Nang City, emphasized that the green transition and sustainable development are key priorities in the city’s development strategy. Da Nang has developed a three-phase roadmap for advancing the circular economy, aiming to meet the basic criteria of a circular city by 2045.

According to Nguyen Dinh Vinh, international non-governmental organizations and international partners have made significant contributions to Da Nang in recent years. Beyond providing financial support for social welfare, healthcare and education, they have introduced effective development models, management experience and international expertise.

In the new context, international NGO engagement needs to move beyond conventional humanitarian and social welfare assistance towards cooperation in developing sustainable development models. Accordingly, aid should be more closely integrated into local green economy and circular economy programmes and projects.

“Departments, agencies and local authorities should continue to reform administrative procedures and shorten the appraisal and approval processes for aid grants, facilitating the timely implementation of projects by international non-governmental organizations and ensuring tangible benefits for local communities,” Nguyen Dinh Vinh emphasized.

Expanding international cooperation and scaling up sustainable development models

Speaking at the workshop, Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, affirmed that international non-governmental organizations play an important role in people-to-people diplomacy, helping connect Vietnam with international partners. Their contributions are measured not only by the value of aid provided, but also by the transfer of knowledge, green technologies and management experience, as well as their ability to connect Vietnam with international investment resources.

For Da Nang, Nguyen Ngoc Hung proposed focusing cooperation on four areas: developing an urban circular economy linked to biodiversity conservation, green tourism and the blue economy; establishing community-based climate change adaptation models and green livelihoods; developing a climate-focused startup ecosystem; and innovating social welfare programmes in conjunction with the green transition.

International non-governmental organizations are particularly encouraged to work with universities, research institutes and business incubators in Da Nang to provide technical assistance, promote innovation and expand access to international green finance. Successful cooperation models in Da Nang could provide practical evidence for policy development and serve as a basis for replication across the Central region and nationwide.

As part of the workshop, delegates took part in three sessions focusing on the direction of INGO activities in the new period, sharing project implementation experience and discussing ways to improve the effectiveness of international aid mobilization.

Representatives from Catalyste+, Giving It Back to Kids, WWF, World Vision International, ActionAid International and World University Service of Canada shared their experience in supporting social welfare, biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and green development.

On this occasion, the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations held the third round of memorandum of understanding signings with two international non-governmental organizations: The VinaCapital Foundation and Save the Children International. This follows two previous rounds of signings with nine international NGOs, with total committed funding reaching VND 132.5 billion.

During 2020-2025, Da Nang successfully mobilized and received 744 aid grants, with a total committed value of approximately US$74.82 million, making practical contributions to social welfare, healthcare, education and environmental protection.