What problem or need is the project addressing?
Poverty is widespread in North Central Vietnam, a mountainous area populated mainly by different ethnic minority groups. In rural areas especially, people struggle to make a living from rice farming and many families depend on sales of handicrafts as a secondary source of income. Small and medium enterprises in the region play a key role in employment provision and poverty reduction for poor rural artisans.
Many of these small businesses are not economically sustainable, and depend on limited local markets and sales to tourists. They lack key business skills and market understanding, and often make products based on traditional designs which do not appeal to consumer tastes in other countries.
What is the project doing?
Our programme in Vietnam is working to overcome the constraints these businesses face. We are training local business and product development consultants to provide appropriate and affordable assistance to handicraft-producing businesses in the region, helping them to improve their business performance, design new and more innovative products, and access new markets. These consultants will be an important local resource and will be able to help many more businesses in the future.
What impact has the project had?
By the end of the project, 10 local business consultants, 15 local product development consultants, and 30 enterprises providing employment for over 1,000 poor producers will have benefited from the project.
Here are some quotes from one of the training workshops:
"I have a great impression of the instructors. They had good preparation and a very scientific methodology of teaching. They are very active, dynamic, enthusiastic and professional."
“The spirit of enthusiasm and responsibility of the instructors enables me to be attracted into studying even though I was so busy. That’s why I try to control my time to have full attendance in the workshop."
"Studying method is very simple but really effective. I can remember all I learnt without taking so many notes."
Our local partner
Our programme in Vietnam is being implemented in collaboration with the Hue Fine Arts and Handicrafts Association (FAHA), a local organisation in the region with over 70 business members involved in crafts and fine art.
How is this project funded?
This work in Vietnam is funded by the European Commission and grant-making trusts.
