Canada is deepening its support for climate resilience and biodiversity conservation in Vietnam with the launch of a new development initiative that places ethnic minority women at the centre of ecosystem restoration and sustainable livelihoods. The Biodiversity and Livelihood Opportunities for Ethnic Minority Women (BLOOM) project, officially launched on July 15, aims to protect ecologically significant landscapes while improving economic opportunities for vulnerable rural communities.
The project is funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada and will be implemented by Canadian development organizations Socodevi and Développement international Desjardins (DID). Running from June 2026 through April 2030, the initiative has secured more than VND 21.1 billion (approximately CAD 1.1 million) in non-refundable Official Development Assistance (ODA), with funding managed directly by the Canadian donor.
The programme will be implemented in Dak Lak and Tuyen Quang provinces, with activities in Dak Lak centred on Chu Yang Sin National Park and the surrounding buffer-zone communes of Yang Mao, Cu Pui and Hoa Son. The project combines biodiversity conservation with community development by restoring high-value ecosystems while promoting nature-based livelihood models that can help local communities better adapt to climate change.
Around 1,500 people are expected to benefit directly from the initiative, while an estimated 6,000 people will gain indirect benefits through improved environmental management, stronger local institutions and expanded livelihood opportunities.
The BLOOM project will deliver training programmes, technical support and field demonstration models designed to strengthen community capacity for sustainable natural resource management. Alongside ecosystem restoration, the initiative seeks to create new income opportunities linked to forest protection, biodiversity conservation and climate-smart rural development.
A defining feature of the programme is its emphasis on gender-inclusive conservation. The project aims to increase the participation of ethnic minority women in forest management, biodiversity protection and community decision-making, while strengthening their role in developing sustainable livelihood models. By integrating gender equality into environmental governance, the initiative seeks to ensure that women play a greater role in shaping the future of natural resource management in their communities.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Nguyen Thien Van, Vice Chairman of the Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee, described the project as an important contribution to the province's broader strategy of combining biodiversity conservation with green economic growth and improved living standards for ethnic minority communities.
He called on provincial departments, local authorities and project partners to work closely with the Canadian donor throughout implementation to ensure the programme delivers measurable environmental and socio-economic outcomes. He also stressed the importance of increasing public awareness of nature-based solutions, encouraging greater community participation in forest protection and further strengthening women's leadership in biodiversity conservation.
The initiative reflects Canada's growing engagement in supporting climate adaptation and sustainable development across Southeast Asia while reinforcing Vietnam's efforts to conserve biodiversity, protect forest ecosystems and promote inclusive rural development. As governments increasingly recognise the links between environmental conservation, climate resilience and social equity, projects such as BLOOM are expected to play an increasingly important role in delivering long-term ecological and economic benefits for local communities.
