Sowing the Seeds of Change

The Ausaid- funded programme "Community-based Climate Change Action Grants" was launched in Hanoi today. The event was hosted by the Australian Embassy, the Ausaid and attended by Ministry of Agriculture and Development, International NGOs, local organisations and the media. 

"Community-based Climate Change Action Grants" is a US$15.8-million programme that aims to help Vietnamese communities to deal with the impacts of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions over two and a half years, according to the Australian Embassy.  This is a new partnership between Australia and six international organisations, including the Australian Red Cross Society, CARE Australia, the Environmental Defense Fund, Oxfam Australia, Save the Children Australia and SNV Netherlands Development Organisation.

Hugh Borrowman, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam said: "Australia and our partners will reduce the risks from climate change-related natural disasters and threats to food and water security, helping some 500,000 vulnerable people."

The programme will enhance the capacity of officials and rice farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve rice production in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta and Central Region of Vietnam which is one of the most vulnerable countries susceptible to climate change.

As part of this programme, the project "Community Based Climate Change Mitigation Through Sustainable Rice Production"  is implemented by SNV and its partner Centre for Agrarian Systems Research and Development (CASRAD). The project aims to increase the resilience of small holder rice farmers through improved rice production techniques, market linkages and rice residue management that will result in increased income for farmers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from rice production systems. This project will support and build the capacity of small holder rice producers and provincial agencies to reduce Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve small holder benefits from rice production in central Vietnam by introducing low emission production practices, utilizing renewable energy generated from rice residues and promoting the value chain of “green rice”. It's being implemented in two coastal provinces, namely Quang Binh and Binh Dinh.

For more information about the project, please contact

Dr Suzanne Robertson, Programme Leader of SNV Climate Change in Agriculture Programme, at srobertson@snvworld.org

or review the project brochure here.