Kick off Meeting of the Project “Youth in Cooperatives as Key Drivers of Digital Transformation in Local Communities – YOUCOOL”
18 September 2024, Hanoi city, Vietnam – A project “Youth in Cooperatives as Key Drivers of Digital Transformation in Local Communities – YOUCOOL”, was launched by the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA), and Haliéus (structure for international development cooperation of the Italian cooperative association Legacoop) as the co-implementing organization and cofunded by the the European Union.
With a total funding of EUR 624,933.50 from the European Union and a duration of three years, the project aims to enhance the role of social organizations in fostering digital skills and raising awareness among youth to accelerate comprehensive digital transformation. The initiative is further supported by Legacoop, the International Cooperative Alliance for Asia (ICA-AP), the ILO office in Vietnam, DRGV – Germany, Agriterra – Vietnam, 06 colleges under VCA and 63 Provincial Cooperative Alliances along with targeted cooperatives in Vietnam.
The activities of the project will take an integrated approach to address challenges related to youth participation in cooperative governance and development, digital education and the digitization process of cooperatives. There will be a particular focus on the coffee supply chain to share successful models with the youth cooperative network in Italy and globally.
The launch event was held in hybrid , featuring participants from the EU delegation, ICA-AP, Legacoop, the Ministry of Information and Communications, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Central Foreign Affairs Committee, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, international partners as well as representatives from 25 beneficiary provinces of Ninh Binh, Binh Dinh, Quang Ngai, Lam Dong, Dak Nong, Bac Lieu, Tra Vinh, Kon Tum, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Can Tho, Dak Lak, Ha Giang, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Long An, Nam Dinh, Quang Nam, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Ha Noi and 6 colleges under VCA.
“The results of the project will create greater opportunities for innovation and digitization, benefiting 9.4 million cooperative members specifically who will gain from digitalization opportunities for their sustainable d. It will also enable youth to better access to information to become new members or employees in cooperatives” said Ms. Tran Thu Hang, Acting Director of International
Cooperation Dept – VCA.
“The EU is pleased to support this initiative to promote the digital transformation for youth in cooperatives within the communities in Vietnam. This initiative will facilitate the sustainable development and capacity building for the cooperative sector. We are delighted to join Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, Halieus and project partners today to launch this new EU funded Project” said H.E. Julien Guerrier, EU Ambassador Vietnam.
