PRO Vietnam and IUCN Conclude Strategic Partnership Program with Promising Outcomes in Hoi An

On December 16, 2024, in Hoi An City (Quang Nam), PRO Vietnam and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) jointly organized a workshop to review the outcomes of their Strategic Partnership Program after more than three years of implementation.

The workshop was attended by key stakeholders who have supported the project since its inception, including the Center for Building and Promoting Sustainable Development (BUS), ENDA Vietnam, the Natural Resources and Environment Newspaper, Hoi An People’s Committee, and the Women’s Union of Hoi An City, among others.

Achievements After Over Three Years of Collaboration

From 2020 to 2024, the Strategic Partnership Program between IUCN and PRO Vietnam yielded significant results, enhancing the effectiveness of solid waste management and reducing plastic pollution in Vietnam, with a specific focus on Hoi An. The program successfully implemented four pilot projects in the city:

1. Solid Waste Segregation at Source
2. Volume-Based Waste Fee (VBWF)
3. Business Taking Action to Reduce Plastic Waste in Hoi An
4. Establishment of Material Recycling Facilities (MRFs) to support organic waste segregation.

Among these initiatives, the funded pilot VBWF program, trialed in Cam Nam Ward (Hoi An) with technical assistance from the BUS Center, demonstrated remarkable success. The Hoi An People’s Committee has approved scaling this program citywide, recognizing its effectiveness in the initial phase.

Recognition and Contributions to Policy Development

In December 2024, the program proudly secured second prize in the contest “Green Solutions for Circular Economy and Sustainable Development” organized by Communications Center on Natural Resources and Environment, MONRE in Da Nang.

The project has made significant contributions to the development of Extended Producer Responsibility (ERP) articles in the 2020 Environmental Protection Law and its rollout, in close collaboration with Legal Department of MONRE.

Practical Contributions to the Local Community

As part of the program, Hoi An City and its Women’s Union received:

• 100 three-compartment trash bins crafted from 2,500 kg of low-value plastic waste.
• 54 Green Houses made from recycled materials.

Additionally, a series of communication campaigns were conducted to raise public awareness about waste segregation at source and to encourage active community participation in waste management.

Strengthening Partnerships for a Sustainable Future

During the workshop, Ms. Chu Thi Kim Thanh, Chief Operating Officer of PRO Vietnam, emphasized that the program’s achievements are a testament to the strong partnership between PRO Vietnam and IUCN, built on mutual trust and respect. She described the two organizations not only as collaborators but also as companions sharing a common vision.

PRO Vietnam representatives expressed their confidence in the enduring partnership with IUCN, anticipating even greater success in the future. Together, they aim to achieve sustainable development goals and contribute to a greener, cleaner, and more beautiful future for generations to come.

This event marked a meaningful milestone in the journey toward sustainable waste management and environmental protection in Vietnam.