In the morning of June 21, 2023, at Novotel Hotel, 36 Bach Dang Street, Hai Chau district, Danang city, Danang Department of Natural Resources and Environment, in collaboration with the Center for Environmental and Community Research (CECR), Center for Supporting Green Development (GreenHub), Live and Learn for Environment and Community (Live & Learn), Institute of Population, Health and Development (PHAD) organized the International Workshop “Local works program – Partnership for the Environment of Vietnam” within the framework of the Local works Program sponsored by The United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 

The workshop had the participation of nearly 120 delegates from Da Nang’s socio-political departments/sectors/organizations; international organizations; Social science organizations, businesses, and especially communities in Da Nang, Hanoi and Quang Nam have had outstanding initiatives in solving environmental problems.  

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Organized in the form of offline and online, the workshop aimed to summarize and share the results and lessons learned from the process of promoting the participation of parties, sectors, especially the community and businesses in joining hands to solve environmental issues such as water protection, waste management, clean water supply, and local air environment protection. From there, it will give recommendations for the development and implementation of future projects in general and of Da Nang city in particular, and at the same time strengthen cooperation between partners to support the effective implementation of the Project “Building Da Nang – an Environmental City” in the period of 2021 – 2030 according to Decision No. 1099/QD-UBND dated April 2, 2021 of the City People’s Committee. Within the framework of the event, there was also a session to hand over products and good practices on preventing water pollution and reducing plastic waste to local partners in Da Nang. 

Ms. Le Thi Thu Hanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs delivered a welcome speech and opened the Workshop

Mr. Bradley Bessire, Deputy Mission Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Vietnam, delivered a speech to open the Workshop

Ms. Joyce Friedenberg, USAID DC Locally Led Development Initiative Lead & Local Works Coordinator

Mr. Nguyen Duc Duong, Office of Climate Change, Energy and Environment/ USAID Vietnam 

At the Conference, Dr. Nguyen Khac Hung – Director of CECR Center – had a sharing titled “The Story of Collective Actions for Water Conservation “. Inspired by the story of the implementation process of the project “Collective Actions for Water Conservation” (CAWACON) implemented by Vietnam Water Conservation Network (VIWACON), coordinated by CECR, Dr. Hung has recreated the journey, the ups and downs, and the valuable lessons learned from the project implementation process; thereby, recognizing the solidarity and contributions of VIWACON Network members. The sharing received a lot of response and appreciation from USAID and Danang Department of Natural Resources and Environment. 

Mr. Nguyen Khac Hung, Director of CECR shared about the process of implementing the project “Collective Actions for Water Conservation”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Van – Deputy Director of GreenHub organization shared the story of the implementation process of the project “Local Solutions for Plastic Pollution” – LSPP

Mr. Nguyen Kieu Cuong – Representative of PHAD, shared the story of the implementation process of the project “Vietnam Local Works for Environmental Health”

Ms. Vo Thi Xuan Quyen, Program Manager of the Live&Learn Organization, shared the story of the implementation of the project “Collective actions for Clean air” – CafCA

At the workshop, the handover ceremony of the results of two projects “Collective Actions for Water Conservation” and “Local Solutions for Plastic Pollution” was held. On the side of CAWACON project, there were Mr. Truong Manh Tien – Chairman of VIWACON, Mr. Nguyen Khac Hung – Director of CECR Center represented to sign the minutes of product handover with Ms. Nguyen Thuy Anh – Head of Development cooperation board, Department of Water Resources Management, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ha – Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Agency in Danang. The handover ceremony was witnessed by Mr. Bradley Bessire – Deputy Mission Director, USAID Vietnam, Mr. Vo Nguyen Chuong – Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Danang, Ms. Annie Wallace – Director of USAID Vietnam’s Office of Climate Change, Energy and Environment, Ms. Joyce Friedenberg – USAID DC Locally Led Development Initiative Lead & Local Works Coordinator.  

Signing and receiving minutes of handover of products and results under the framework of the project “Collective Actions for Water Conservation” and the project “Local Solutions for Plastic Pollution”

On the side of CECR, Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Ly – Chairman of the Management Council of Center for Environment and Community Research (CECR) and Mr. Nguyen Khac Hung – Director of Center for Environment and Community Research (CECR) were honored to receive the Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the Da Nang City People’s Committee for the collectives and individuals that have made positive contributions to the environmental protection of Da Nang city (2021 – 2023).  

Awarding Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of Da Nang City People’s Committee to collectives and individuals who have made positive contributions to environmental protection in Da Nang city (2021-2023)

Awarding medals to typical partners and units

Mr. Vo Nguyen Chuong, Deputy Director of Da Nang Department of Natural Resources and Environment presented the workshop summary

Some highlights from the Workshop:

In the afternoon of June 21, 2023, the delegation had an initiative tour at Tho Quang Harbor and Fishing Port. This is one of the initiatives under the project “Collective Actions for Water Conservation” (CAWACON) which clearly shows the nature of a local initiative with the direction of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the cooperation of the Management Board of Tho Quang Harbor and Fishing Port, Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, fishermen and small traders with technical support and companionship of experts and CECR staff, The initiatives have achieved the expected results and made a positive impression with the visit of USAID and Danang Department of Natural Resources and Environment. In addition, the delegation had a visit with other local initiatives in Da Nang city. 

Images at Tho Quang Harbor and Fishing Port:

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The Local Works Program is one of the pioneering programs of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in strengthening cooperation with local partners and making local partners as center to assist in solving challenges to reduce environmental pollution through joint actions. In the past 5 years of implementation, local initiatives have made great contributions to the reduction of environmental pollution in Vietnam.