CAN THO – The British Council launched today the Climate Skills – Seeds for Transition Viet Nam project, part of a global programme working with young people to sow the seeds for a fair transition from a high carbon to low carbon economy. Implemented by the British Council in partnership with HSBC, Viet Nam is among five countries launching the programme along with Brazil, Mexico, India and Indonesia.
In Viet Nam, the programme was launched at Can Tho University, Can Tho City which is one of the region’s most heavily affected by negative impacts of climate change such as floods, drought, saltwater intrusion due to rising sea levels, riverbank erosion, and other climate-related risks. Although there are many ways to live adaptively, especially dealing with the impacts of climate change and the environment, people in the delta are still struggling to find the most appropriate way.
'Climate change is a global issue that requires locally led responses, and globally connected initiatives. We are delighted to work alongside Vietnamese experts in youth work and climate action to support young people in the Mekong Delta to develop their skills and build community actions. Together we will advocate for climate education so that those most affected by climate change are not left behind in the transition to greener economies', shared by Ms Isobel Cecil, Senior Programme Manager, Climate Skills, British Council.
'I’m excited to learn from our partners’ leading work here in Viet Nam, and to connect them with our partners in Brazil, Mexico, India, Indonesia and the UK. This is a vital part of British Council’s role in supporting the UK’s contribution to international collaborations tackling climate change.'
Climate Skills – Seeds for Transition is a UK led international collaboration equipping marginalised young people with the skills they need to be part of just green transition. The programme will resource local organisations, build youth-led community action and removing barriers to green jobs, building young people with the skills and knowledge to be part of low carbon economies.
Nowadays, many young people aspire to work in emerging green and digital industries, aiming to be catalysts for sustainable change, however, there is a significant gap in understanding how to access these opportunities. Marginalised communities are disproportionately impacted by climate change, with young people facing systemic constraints to meaningful participation in a greener economy. Climate Skills – Seeds for Transition works to address these aspirations and challenges, providing soft skills development like teamwork and advocacy, along with climate literacy and community action experience, to empower young individuals for a successful future.
Ms Donna McGowan, Director Viet Nam, British Council expressed, 'I am excited for the Climate Skills – Seeds for Transition in Viet Nam. This will further our promotion of international cooperation in tackling climate change impacts in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta via the engagement of the UK and Vietnamese experts in relevant fields. Through the programme, we will draw our expertise in enhancing the role of education in climate change, bringing people together to share their ideas, their personal experiences of climate change, and to learn from one another'.
Associate Professor Van Pham Dang Tri, Director of Research Institute for Climate Change, Can Tho University stressed on the undeniably crucial role of the young generation in the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta. He said, 'the promotion of the young generation in climate action is key to the Mekong Delta's strategic legacy. To achieve this, the long-term and comprehensive delivery of climate capacity is indispensable and we can see the huge potential from the Climate Skills project. I would like to express my deep appreciation to project's sponsors, partners, and participants. Additionally, I call upon all stakeholders, including state departments, academic institutions, NGOs, private sectors and individuals to join hands in tackling the impacts of climate change.'
Climate Skills is a multi-year programme running until February 2026. In Viet Nam, the British Council, in partnership with Research Institute of Climate Change, Can Tho University will implement the project in Can Tho City, Soc Trang and Kien Giang provinces. The programme will support 2,000 marginalised young people from the three localities together with 300 educators, focusing on the role of education and skills systems to inspire green futures.