2020 - 2023 | IMPLEMENTER: CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY RESEARCH (CECR) | PLANNED BUDGET: $1,500,000
Water pollution is currently one of the greatest environmental challenges for Vietnam. It damages the health and livelihoods of millions of people, negatively affects tourism and fisheries, and destroys surface and coastal water ecosystems. The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Collective Action for Water Conservation project forms a community of concerned stakeholders and supports them to raise public awareness, collect data, and advocate for better local water conservation practices to reduce water pollution.
PARTNERSHIPS TO SPUR LOCAL ACTION
The project brings together local and national government representatives, businesses, research institutions, and local organizations for dialogue and information exchanges under the umbrella of the Vietnam Water Conservation Network (VIWACON). Established by the project in 2020, VIWACON also manages a fund that provides small grants and assistance to local entities to implement innovative, scalable water resource management and conservation projects in Hanoi and Danang.
PROMPTING CITIZEN SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT
The project supports VIWACON to develop citizen-generated data sets on water quality and health to support decision making, as well as monitor and report on water pollution and associated health issues. The project also supports innovative public information campaigns and education programs through VIWACON to increase awareness and understanding of water issues and promote action for water conservation.
IMPACT
This project is expected to support VIWACON to grow to include at least 20 core members and become financially sustainable through private sector engagement. The project will implement at least 25 collective action initiatives on water conservation and conduct public awareness campaigns that increase the understanding of over 23,000 citizens on water pollution and its impact on health. Additionally, the project will support the development and implementation of at least three government action plans for water conservation at both the provincial and district levels.
TARGETED LOCALITIES
The project works at the national level providing policy development support for water resource management. At the subnational level, the project works in Danang and its districts.
