On March 25th, in Da Nang, the GreenViet Biodiversity Conservation Centre (GreenViet, Vietnam), in collaboration with the Gustav-Stresemann Institute (GSI, Germany), organized business and civil society organizations in a variety of biodiversity conservation and environmental protection activities.
The activities form part of the “Establishing a funding foundation for biodiversity protection. There were 86 participants at the event, including representatives of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam, international experts at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg University (Germany), 18 representatives of the business sector, 39 representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), 7 representatives of Danang authority, and 5 representatives of press agencies. The event achieved its goal of connecting businesses with CSOs toward biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental protection.
At the event, experts and guests shared and discussed corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), in the context of biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. The event also offered businesses opportunities to to discuss ideas for implementing CSR practices and the value that these activities bring.
Conservation and environmental sustainability in Danang City, Vietnam” project, which is led by GreenViet and supported by GSI, and co-funded by the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Phuc, Vice President of the Union of Science and Technology Associations of Da Nang city said: “Currently, many businesses are more interested in using their CSR fund to finance CSOs to implement environmental protection projects. However, there are still some difficulties in coordination between the two partners. This networking event helped businesses and CSOs find common values and long-term companionship in the present as well as in the future.”
At the event, delegates from the businesses and CSOs had the opportunity to hear from Mr. Jesús Lavĩna, Deputy Head of Cooperation at EUD on the goals of prioritizing and funding Vietnam’s CSOs (especially those in the Central and Central Highlands) for the period 2021-2027 towards the EU Green Deal. Through the event, the EUD affirmed their desire and orientation in promoting cooperation between businesses and CSOs in Vietnam and facilitated this cooperation. The presence and encouragement of EUD at the event created a positive effect and motivation for the business sector to continue accompanying other CSOs.
The Talk Show, “Joining hands for biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability” took place in a lively atmosphere, with the participation of special speakers such as Mr. Jesús Lavĩna, Deputy Head of Cooperation (EUD); Ms. Luu Thi Thu Hang, Senior Director of Brand and Marketing at Dai-ichi Life Insurance company; Ms. Do Thi Bich Thuy, Director of Quang Binh Women’s Union; and Prof. Dr. Markus Beckmann, FAU University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany).
The discussion shared and clarified the following issues: (1) Strategy and orientation of the enterprise in the cooperation relationship with CSOs. Barriers and ways to remove barriers in this cooperation (2) The cooperation between enterprises and social organizations in practicing CSR towards a sustainable environment is a “Triple Win” strategy – bringing value to both businesses, CSOs and the community (3) Authorities, communities, and donors (such as EUDs) are prioritizing and facilitating to promote and strengthening this partnership, opening a belief that this cooperation will develop in the future.
In order for the Conservation Fund project to be successful, the business sector’s contribution is indispensable. This is also an opportunity for the community to appreciate, recognize and thank businesses for their contributions to social organizations that have implemented projects on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation in Da Nang city and the Central Highlands.
At the event, the signing ceremony formalizing the cooperation between GreenViet and the following businesses took place:
- The Dai-ichi Life Insurance company with GreenViet: In this cooperation agreement, the Dai-ichi Life Vietnam’s Fund for a Beautiful Life sponsored 1.3 billion VND for GreenViet through the Conservation Fund Project with the aim of planting 10,000 trees in three areas of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang
- The Dang Gia Trang Service and Trading Co., Ltd with GreenViet: In this cooperation agreement, the Company is going to sponsor 68 tons of vermicompost equivalent to VND 184,000,000 to plant and take care of trees in Da Nang City and Ho Chi Minh City, which belong to the Conservation Fund Project.
- The Ricoh Imaging Products (Vietnam) Company Limited with GreenViet: In this cooperation agreement, the Company is going to launch and call for company employees to donate and sponsor the Conservation Fund Project through the Million Trees in Cities.
The event was a great success, closing with many emotions of the festival connecting biodiversity conservation and sustainable environment.
In the afternoon of the same day, businesses and CSOs were able to visit Sub-grantees in the city. Da Nang is being funded by the Conservation Fund.
