New thinking and approaches in foreign non-governmental aid mobilization

Looking back at 75 years of people-to-people diplomacy, we realize more deeply that: non-governmental aid is not only a flow of material goods, but also a flow of trust and humanity.

Source of trust and friendship

For decades, when Vietnam was still facing many difficulties, international organizations and friends shared, accompanied, and contributed to help our people overcome the consequences of war, eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, provide health care, develop education , protect the environment, support the disadvantaged, etc. They came not only with material things, but also with their hearts and faith in Vietnam's development path.

According to statistics from the People's Aid Coordination Committee (PACCOM), the value of aid from foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to Vietnam in 2024 reached more than 233 million USD, with a disbursement rate of approximately 80%. In the period 2020-2024, the total value of aid through the NGO channel reached nearly 1.14 billion USD. In the context of the volatile world in recent times, this figure shows that Vietnam is still a reliable destination for NGOs and international donors.

However, as Vietnam is transforming strongly towards the goal of achieving upper-middle income status by 2030 and becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045, aid mobilization work needs to aim towards a “companionship” relationship - cooperating together, developing together, and creating sustainable values ​​together.

Information sharing conference with foreign NGOs organized by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Committee for Foreign NGO Affairs on July 17 in Hanoi . (Photo: Dinh Hoa).

New thinking of cooperation and companionship

The world today is changing rapidly: digital economy, climate change, non-traditional security, greening trends… All of these require Vietnam to renew itself in both its thinking and approach to foreign non-governmental aid sources.

First of all, we need to shift from the mindset of “receiving aid” to “cooperating for development”. Aid is not just a flow of capital, but an opportunity to exchange knowledge, technology, governance models, and community development methods. Today’s NGOs want not only to “give” but also to “work together”, “learn together”, and “spread together”. Vietnam can absolutely become a bright spot for new-style cooperation, where aid is linked to innovation initiatives, green transformation, capacity building, and social knowledge.

Second, it is necessary to move from individual advocacy to network coordination. NGOs are now working more and more professionally, in an alliance-oriented, multi-sectoral, multi-partner direction. Management agencies, Vietnamese organizations, local authorities, businesses and communities all need to participate. When a “common voice” is formed, the effectiveness of advocacy and aid use will increase many times over.

Third, is the shift from short-term support to long-term strategic cooperation. Whereas previously aid focused mainly on individual projects, now we should aim at strategic programs: high-quality human resource development, clean energy, public health, innovation and sustainable social development.

Finally, it is necessary to shift from administrative management to smart, transparent coordination. In the digital age, open data platforms, digital aid maps, online reporting, etc. need to be promoted. Information transparency not only creates trust with international partners but also helps management agencies and localities use each dollar of aid more effectively.

Vice President of the Dong Nai Province Union of Friendship Organizations, Ms. Vy Vu Hong Thao, received the symbolic sponsorship plaque from the WWO/USA organization. (Photo: dufo.dongnai.gov.vn)

New Approach: Flexible and Humane

Based on the new thinking, aid mobilization work needs to be shaped in three main directions:

First, put the beneficiaries at the center. Every aid project is only truly successful when it brings opportunities and capacity to people, especially vulnerable groups, women, children, people with disabilities, and people in remote areas.

Second, consider aid as a lever for green transformation and digital transformation. Models of green community development, energy saving, smart rural startups, circular economy, etc. need to be replicated. This is also the direction that many leading NGOs such as WWF, WVI, AAI, Oxfam, Plan International, ChildFund, etc. are promoting in Vietnam.

Third, promote people-to-people diplomacy in depth. Each aid project is also a touching story of humanity, of understanding and sharing that overcomes differences in culture, language, and nationality. That is Vietnam's soft power in international relations.

Challenges to overcome

Despite many positive improvements, the work of PCPNN currently still faces many difficulties: the legal framework is still overlapping, project approval procedures are still lengthy, communication work on aid results is not commensurate, and advocacy capacity in some localities is still limited.

However, these difficulties do not reduce the trust of international friends in Vietnam. On the contrary, it encourages us to be more professional, more modern, and more proactive in our work. Vietnam has the advantage of a stable political and social environment and an increasingly high international reputation.

Reaching out in the new era

Looking back at 75 years of people-to-people diplomacy, we are more aware that: non-governmental aid is not only a flow of material, but also a flow of trust and humanity. In the era of globalization and digital transformation, when the world is rediscovering humanistic values, Vietnam's non-governmental aid work needs to promote its own identity: humane, tolerant, proactive, creative and always people-oriented.

To do that, we need a team of PCPNN workers who are brave, professional, and dedicated; flexible mechanisms to unlock resources; and most of all, a new mindset, a mindset of companionship, creativity, and trust.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/tu-duy-cach-tiep-can-moi-trong-cong-tac-van-dong-vien-tro-phi-chinh-phu-nuoc-ngoai-217528.html