The central role of coordinating and implementing the components of the GREAT 2 Project

The GREAT 2 Son La project, funded by the Australian Government, will be implemented from July 2022, with the goal of enhancing the economic empowerment of ethnic minority women, promoting gender equality and sustainable development. The Provincial People's Committee, in coordination with the Australian Embassy, signed an agreement, consolidated and established the GREAT Son La Project Management Board. Over the years, the Board has promoted its role as a coordinating center, proactively and synchronously implementing components; approved the handbook and investment process, creating a foundation for effective implementation.

Staff of the sub-project "Developing bamboo shoot industry in Son La province" instructs people on bamboo shoot propagation techniques for Tan Ban village, Bac Yen commune.

Ms. Mai Thi Hanh, Deputy Director of the GREAT Son La Project Management Board, said: The Board has coordinated with the project management consultant to agree on a plan to handle the sponsor's requests. At the same time, urge partners to complete the report on the MIS system; conduct field surveys, design activities and build a framework for appraisal results as a basis for implementation.

The GREAT 2 project focuses on the following components: Developing market systems in agriculture and tourism; financial support strategies, digital transformation, capacity building for women's businesses, behavioral change communication and policy improvement. To date, the Provincial People's Committee has approved 8/13 sub-projects, mainly on developing the bamboo shoot industry, improving the investment environment, promoting digital transformation, financial support and tourism vocational training associated with job creation.

Notable among them is the sub-project “Developing the bamboo shoot industry in Son La province” implemented by CRED TAC Company. The Project Management Board regularly monitors and coordinates to remove difficulties and ensure progress. To date, the sub-project has completed 16/39 activities, newly planted 924 hectares of bamboo shoots, reaching 86.5% of the annual plan and 26.4% of the final target. In addition to supporting seedlings, the project also built a preliminary processing workshop, distributed 9 boiling pots to the Bac Yen Bamboo Shoot Production and Processing Cooperative, Bac Yen commune and organized propaganda and technical training.

Mr. Dinh Van Phan, Cao Da 1 village, Bac Yen commune, said: His family planted more than 800 bamboo shoot holes, in the early autumn crop, over 1 ton of bamboo shoots, which were purchased by Bac Yen Bamboo Shoot Production and Processing Cooperative for 5,000 VND/kg. In 2025, the family will receive technical support from the project for caring for, propagating and processing dried bamboo shoots, and the products will be guaranteed, so they are very secure.

Along with that, the Sub-project “Improving financial access and financial education for ethnic minority women” was closely monitored by the Management Board from design to implementation, with 36 activities, of which 21 activities have been completed. In July, the Coordinating Board organized a workshop on “Value chain lending” with the participation of more than 60 cooperatives and enterprises, introducing the chain credit model. At the same time, the financial education materials and criteria for selecting source lecturers are being finalized, preparing for large-scale training.

Mr. Dinh Van Phan, Cao Da 1 village, Bac Yen commune, harvests bamboo shoots.

The sub-project “Developing vocational skills training services and creating jobs in the tourism industry” implemented by REACH Institute is considered a breakthrough component. The Project Management Board plays a key role in connecting businesses, supporting students in internships and finding jobs. In July, the Board organized a course on “Non-alcoholic beverage preparation” in Ta Khoa commune, and cooperated with Vigolando Resort and Thao Nguyen Hotel & Resort to receive interns. The highlight of the course is integrating the preservation of indigenous culture, guiding students in exploiting cuisine and customs in tourism services.

Mr. Stanley Jones, Director of Subproject Strategy Monitoring, said: Thanks to the close coordination of the Board, the activities ensure the progress and quality of training. The subproject aims to build 20 tourism service facilities, train 450 trainees and improve the capacity of 100 existing facilities, with priority given to ethnic minority women.

However, the project implementation process still faces difficulties, such as slow tax refunds; partners adjusting progress; ethnic minority women having language and travel limitations.

Promoting the role of coordination, conducting periodic assessments, monitoring sub-projects and adjusting documents when necessary, the GREAT Son La Project Management Board continues to coordinate with relevant units to organize independent monitoring and coordinated monitoring of sub-projects approved by the Provincial People's Committee. At the same time, continue to consult, survey, design, develop, and complete proposals for sub-projects to be implemented according to the components and ensure the project's objectives; survey, design new sub-projects, urge partners to complete documents to submit to donors and the Provincial People's Committee for approval, enhance the position of ethnic minority women and promote sustainable development.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/kinh-te/vai-tro-trung-tam-dieu-phoi-trien-khai-cac-hop-phan-du-an-great-2-PZ9HWRuHR.html