Cowater International Inc.

Published purpose

This project aims to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of ethnic minority women working in the agriculture sector in Lao Cai province, Vietnam, by strengthening women-focused micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives and producer groups in selected value chains. Ethnic minority communities in Lao Cai often live in remote mountainous areas and continue to experience high levels of poverty and heightened vulnerability to climate change due to their reliance on climate-sensitive agricultural livelihoods. The project addresses key gaps in business skills and knowledge, such as financial management and market linkages, while promoting the adoption of renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions to support environmentally sustainable agricultural development. Project activities include: (1) providing technical assistance and training in inclusive business practices and financial management to ethnic minority women-focused micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives and producer groups; (2) piloting renewable energy and energy-efficiency technology solutions; and (3) delivering awareness-raising campaigns and training to strengthen the capacity of ethnic minority women to participate in and lead clean economic growth initiatives in the agriculture sector, while addressing barriers to their economic participation and leadership. The project aims to directly benefit 20,000 ethnic minority women (EWM), support approximately 75 MSMEs in Lao Cai province, and indirectly benefit 843,000 people.