IFAD launches USD 5 million project to enhance wetland livelihoods in Vietnam
WVR - On November 12, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee, officially launched the "Innovative Financial Mechanism to Support Adaptation in Wetland Livelihoods" (IFIA) project.
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The project aims to enhance climate resilience and develop sustainable livelihoods in the Mekong Delta.
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| Mr. Nguyen Truc Son, Vice Chairman of the Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee, speaks. (Source: IFAD) |
With a total capital of $5 million, the IFIA project pilots and institutionalizes innovative climate finance mechanisms, supporting small-scale farmers, ethnic minorities, and youth in Vietnam's coastal regions to adapt to the increasingly severe impacts of climate change.
The project is implemented alongside CSAT – the Climate-Smart Agriculture Value Chain Development Project funded by IFAD, aiming to promote public-private partnerships and innovation in sustainable agricultural development.
Mr. Ambrosio Barros, IFAD's Country Director in Vietnam, emphasized: “This is not just a project, but a blueprint for comprehensive climate finance. We invest in solutions that provide harmonious benefits for both farmers and ecosystems. IFIA is designed to be scalable, replicable, and to create real transformation.”
Focusing on ecological aquaculture, eco-tourism, and sustainable mangrove forest management, the project will enable farmers to access capital, apply adaptive technologies, and participate in environmentally friendly agricultural value chains.
“The project empowers local communities to be more proactive in climate adaptation. This is an opportunity to develop the economy while protecting natural resources,” affirmed Mr. Nguyễn Trúc Sơn, Vice Chairman of the Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee.
Ms. Martina Dorigo, Portfolio Manager Coordinator of the Adaptation Fund, shared: “Innovation is not just about technology or finance, but also about collaboration and learning for local communities to lead the adaptation process. We believe IFIA will become a model for innovative climate finance in Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific region.”
The launch event in Tra Vinh was attended by representatives from central ministries and agencies, local authorities, farmer organizations, microfinance institutions, United Nations agencies, and development partners.
Delegates discussed strategic directions, implementation plans, and financial mobilization mechanisms to strengthen the resilience of communities dependent on wetlands and mangrove forests.
“IFIA demonstrates that comprehensive climate finance can bring about change at the local level. Integrating environmental sustainability, gender equality, and youth empowerment from the outset helps the project create long-term systemic impacts,” noted Ms. Anupa Rimal Lamichhane, IFAD's Senior Environment and Climate Specialist.
Ms. Nguyen My Hang, Head of Science, Technology, and International Cooperation Department, Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands (VASI), highly appreciated the project's alignment with national priorities: “The project is implemented at the right time, contributing to promoting adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable development models in vulnerable coastal areas. No single entity can tackle climate change alone. The collaboration between the Ministry, IFAD, and provinces is crucial for resources and innovation to reach the people.”
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| Ms. Nguyen My Hang, Head of Science, Technology, and International Cooperation Department, Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands, shares. (Source: IFAD) |
Local farmer representative, Mr. Pham Van Chi, from the Phung Islet Aquaculture and Tourism Cooperative, also expressed his expectations: “For us, adaptation is not theoretical; it is survival. IFIA brings hope, new production opportunities, and new markets for rural youth and women.”
The IFIA project will test and scale up innovative financial tools in coastal livelihood activities, contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of wetland and mangrove ecosystems in the Mekong Delta.
The project runs from June 2025 to June 2029, with a mid-term review in January 2027 and a final evaluation in December 2029. IFIA is implemented by IFAD as the multilateral implementing agency, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee.
| Since 1993, IFAD has been a strategic partner of Vietnam in poverty reduction and sustainable rural development. Over more than three decades, IFAD has funded 16 projects with a total investment of over $670 million, benefiting more than 500,000 rural households nationwide. IFAD focuses on empowering small-scale farmers, women, youth, and ethnic minorities, helping them access markets, finance, technology, and climate-adaptive infrastructure. IFAD's programs also promote green finance, innovation in agricultural value chains, and community-based natural resource management, contributing to building diverse and sustainable livelihoods in the face of climate change. |
