Youth Union with the "Three Links" model: Part 2: Motivation for entrepreneurship and innovation

Son La Provincial Youth Union organizes Livestream program to promote and consume
OCOP products of Son La. Photo: Ngoc Khiem (Contributor)

Youth at the forefront of digital transformation

In the past 5 years, the new point in implementing the "Three Links" model is to promote digital transformation in all aspects of the Youth Union's work. The whole province has established over 250 volunteer youth teams for "Community Digital Transformation", more than 100 teams for "Digital Education for the People", organized hundreds of activities to guide people in performing online public services, applying digital technology in promoting and consuming agricultural products, OCOP products... contributing to improving people's digital capacity, helping young people access new technology trends, expanding job opportunities, and starting a business.

Mr. Lo Manh Cuong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, said: Creating conditions for young people to start a business, establish a career and have stable jobs is an important task and an urgent requirement for the Youth Union. Implementing the "3 linkages" policy of the Resolution of the 12th National Youth Union Congress, the Provincial Youth Union Standing Committee has promoted linkages with businesses, expanding economic development opportunities for young people, especially in remote areas. Son La Provincial Youth Union has organized dozens of job fairs and mobile job fairs in districts, cities and towns, creating opportunities for young people to meet directly with employers and access suitable job positions. These activities attracted more than 5,000 young people to participate, of which over 1,200 young people received career counseling and job referrals.

Not only stopping at introducing job opportunities, the Youth Union at all levels actively organizes training courses, vocational skills training, soft skills, working skills in a professional environment for young people, helping young people improve their competitiveness, meeting the increasing demands of the labor market; coordinates with large enterprises such as Moc Chau Dairy Cow Breeding Joint Stock Company, Co Do Tea Joint Stock Company, agricultural cooperatives to organize for young people to learn about practical production models associated with the transfer of science and technology.

Currently, many young people in the province have boldly started businesses with models of growing medicinal plants, growing organic vegetables, producing clean agricultural products, community tourism, etc., receiving direct support from businesses in terms of seeds, capital, techniques and product output. The Provincial Youth Union has established and maintained effective operations of economic development youth clubs, cooperative groups and youth cooperatives. Some typical models include: Moc Chau Youth Agricultural Cooperative with safe vegetable products, Phieng Khoai Youth Cooperative, Yen Chau district specializing in producing turmeric starch and herbs, or community tourism models of young people in Bac Yen and Muong La districts, etc., which have created stable jobs for hundreds of union members and local youth.

Not only applying digital transformation to serve startups, production, and business, the Youth Union is gradually applying it to the management, supervision, and implementation of volunteer and social security projects. Typically, the Pa Kach bridge project, Pa Khom village, Muong Lan commune, Sop Cop district is jointly sponsored by units such as the Central Party Office, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Vietnam Television, and the organization Raising Children Ecosystem.

Launching the model of "Digital Education for All" in Chieng Sinh ward, Son La city.

From fundraising to construction supervision, everything is done publicly and transparently through digital platforms developed by volunteer groups. This helps sponsors closely monitor the implementation process, while creating trust and spreading a sense of responsibility in the community. Mr. Hoang Hoa Trung, Head of the Raising Children Ecosystem, said: We use digital transformation tools to make finances and project progress transparent, helping to effectively connect volunteer organizations, the Provincial Youth Union and local people. The application of digitalization also helps save time, increase efficiency and inspire trust.

Startup Support

Over the years, hundreds of young people have been supported to set up e-commerce sites, use social networks, digital platforms such as TikTok, Zalo OA, Facebook, Shopee, Postmart... to promote and introduce tourism and sell OCOP products and local products.

In recent years, Yen Chau district has gradually become a "fertile land" for creative start-up models of local youth. Notably, the story of 5 young men in Yen Chau district joining together to establish the 26/3 Youth Cooperative, developing business ideas from typical local agricultural products. Taking advantage of the available local garlic resources, applying modern fermentation and drying processes, creating a variety of product lines, such as: Vacuum-packed whole black garlic; Freeze-dried black garlic tablets; Black garlic powder used as spices and functional foods; Black garlic soaked in honey - an OCOP product highly appreciated for its health benefits.

The Provincial Youth Union awarded 500 "Free AI Study" scholarships to Youth Union cadres in the province.

Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, a member of the 26/3 Youth Cooperative, said: With the support of the Son La Provincial Youth Union in training, we know how to use digital platforms such as Shopee, Postmart, Facebook, TikTok to promote and sell black garlic products. Previously, we only sold in the area, but now the product has reached customers in many provinces and cities. In addition, through videos and articles on social networks, we also introduce the beautiful scenery, culture, and products of Yen Chau, contributing to promoting local tourism.

On the basis of business linkages, many young people are trained in branding skills, financial management, and access to start-up capital from policy banks and start-up support funds. The Provincial Youth Union also coordinates to organize creative start-up idea competitions and forums to connect young startups, promoting the spirit of innovation and creativity among young people.

Construction of a community bridge started in Cho Cong village, Chieng Noi commune, Mai Son district.

Mr. Lo Manh Cuong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, added: In 2024, from the Central Youth Union's job creation fund, 9 youth projects were supported, with a total budget of nearly 900 million VND. Successfully organized the "Saving money - joining hands for the poor" Festival with a budget of 12 billion VND, disbursed to 19 startup projects that received loans. In addition, mobilized social resources to support 171 ideas and startup projects of youth, with a budget of 500 million VND.

The “Three Links” model in Son La province is a vivid demonstration of the spirit of innovation, creativity and dedication of young people in the period of digital transformation and international integration. From projects bearing a strong community mark, to start-up initiatives, connecting businesses, applying modern technology into practice, creating sustainable values ​​for the locality, arousing the sense of responsibility, the desire to contribute and affirming the role of young people in the cause of developing the homeland and the country. This is a solid foundation for the Youth Union to continue to step firmly on the journey of innovation, becoming a reliable support, accompanying young people on the path of establishing a career and contributing to the community.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/phong-su/doan-thanh-nien-voi-mo-hinh-ba-lien-ket-ky-2-dong-luc-khoi-nghiep-sang-tao-wQjztLJHR.html