Launch of MekongElevate Project “Green and Sustainable Adaptation for Ethnic Minority Communities”

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Implemented from March 2026 to March 2029 in Ea Drong and Tam Giang communes in Dak Lak Province, the project will provide solutions to strengthen climate resilience among upland communities, particularly ethnic minority women, youth, and persons with disabilities, thereby contributing to the overall stability and prosperity of the Mekong subregion.

The MekongElevate project is funded by the Australian Government through the Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP) and implemented by CARE together with local partners.

Delegates launch the project. (Photo: CARE in Vietnam)

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird stated: “Australia is proud to partner with Vietnam to advance a more inclusive and resilient Mekong subregion. The MekongElevate project addresses shared priorities of climate resilience, gender equality, and social inclusion. The project will invest in people, especially women, persons with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups, by equipping them with the skills and opportunities to lead and actively shape the green transition.”

Throughout its implementation, the project will focus on supporting women, youth, and persons with disabilities from ethnic minority communities engaged in the coffee sector. Key activities include promoting the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and other innovative solutions to enhance the effectiveness of livelihood activities.

At the same time, another key objective is to improve access to social protection mechanisms and recovery support. These efforts will help ethnic minority communities stabilize their livelihoods more quickly and overcome unavoidable losses caused by extreme climate events. In particular, the initiative also emphasizes strengthening the leadership roles of women, youth, and persons with disabilities at the local level in decision-making processes related to climate change.

At the event. (Photo: CARE in Vietnam)

Bach Thanh Tuan, Director of CDC, stated: “The coffee sector is an economic pillar, but it is also one of the sectors most heavily affected by climate change. As the local implementing partner, we are committed to delivering technical solutions and support mechanisms directly to local people, helping ethnic minority communities not only sustain their livelihoods but also develop sustainably on their own land.”

Speaking at the event, Le Kim Dung, Country Director of CARE in Vietnam, said: “At CARE, we believe that sustainable solutions to the climate crisis depend on who has the opportunity to participate in implementing them. Women, youth, and persons with disabilities often face barriers that limit their access to economic opportunities and disaster preparedness efforts. Through the MekongElevate project, we work alongside communities to reduce these barriers, strengthen practical skills, and improve access to resources, ensuring that the green transition becomes more inclusive and that no one is left behind.”

Representing the group of women and farmers participating in the project, H Yui Nie shared: “We hope that the solutions introduced by the project will directly support smallholder farmers like us in practicing sustainable agriculture. This will help our products meet the standards of producers and buyers. Sustainable, climate-adaptive production not only brings immediate benefits but also lays the foundation for future generations.”

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