Cowater International Inc.

Published purpose

This project seeks to enhance the socioeconomic wellbeing of ethnic minority women-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through clean growth in the agriculture sector of Yen Bai province of Vietnam. Project activities include: (1) providing technical assistance and training in inclusive business and financial management to ethnic minority women-focused micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives and producer groups; (2) piloting of renewable energy and energy efficiency technology solutions; and (3) raising awareness campaigns and training to improve the ability of ethnic minority women to be active participants and leaders in clean economic growth in agriculture and to reduce barriers to their economic participation and leadership. This project aims to benefit 20,000 ethnic minority women directly, target approximately 75 MSMEs in Yen Bai province and indirectly benefit 843,000 people. Rural areas, like Yen Bai, are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, given low-lying roads and a high dependence on rain-fed agriculture.