(Da Nang, Vietnam) This September, the Training of Trainers (TOT) course— a key activity under the project “Enabling women in Central of Viet Nam to improve their lives and protect the environment, and natural resources by applying green and circular economy“— successfully equipped a core group of local female leaders with the essential knowledge and practical skills to become pioneers of the Green and Circular Economy (GCE) in their own communities. Notably, gender mainstreaming was integrated throughout all training topics. The training team comprised international experts from Europe, a local GCE specialist, and a gender expert.
Building a Core Force of Community Trainers
The TOT programme was designed to build the capacity of 31 core members of the Women’s Unions from Song Vang Commune, Hai Van Ward, and Son Tra Ward. The clear goal was to transform these women into effective community trainers capable of cascading GCE knowledge to 300 other women across the project sites.
The training was structured into two dynamic, three-day phases:
Phase 1: Concepts & Field Immersion (Sep 4-6, Hoi An & Cham Islands): This phase focused on GCE fundamentals. Participants visited successful green or circular economic models (such as Chic Chillax restaurant, Kim Bong Eco-agricultural Cooperative, etc.), providing tangible, real-world examples applicable to their regions.
Phase 2: Training & Facilitation Skills (Sep 24-26, Hai Van Ward): The second phase concentrated on equipping participants with the practical skills needed to design and deliver effective training sessions.
Skill Transformation: From Shyness to Confident Leadership
The project’s baseline study by ICED Institute revealed that the formal GCE concept was “almost non-existent” in the community. However, the TOT program delivered powerful transformation.
New understanding fuelled genuine excitement, particularly among those who previously faced linguistic barriers. Ms. Tran Thi An, a Co Tu ethnic woman from Ga Doong village, shared her breakthrough during the second TOT phase:
Only now do I truly understand what Circular Economy and Green Economy are. Before, I only vaguely understood it as environmental protection. Due to the language barrier, our group often accepted that it would be hard for us to ‘learn’ this… But now that I understand, I am truly happy.
The capacity shift was the biggest success: Following the two TOT courses, over 70% of the women were assessed as competent enough to lead training sessions and raise community awareness about the green and circular economy. This is a monumental leap, considering that previously they could not confidently articulate these concepts.
This success has already spurred action: The women have collaboratively built lesson plans, divided organisational roles, and scheduled 10 GCE community training courses for 300 local women in the area.
The Path to Sustainable Local Growth
The training concluded with core members proudly identifying and sharing their existing successful family practices—such as using composted food waste in their gardens or utilising agricultural byproducts for coconut beetle farming—realising they were already practising a form of the circular economy. This recognition provides a powerful foundation for strategic application.
Having built a strong foundation of knowledge, confidence, and strategic vision, these 31 core women are now equipped and motivated to lead the change. They represent the central force ready to inspire actions and mobilise over 300 local women to participate in building a sustainable green economy in Central Vietnam.
This project is jointly implemented by GreenViet Biodiversity Conservation Centre (GreenViet, Vietnam), Visible Impact (Germany), and Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD, Vietnam). The project is funded by the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam.