The role of local-led innovations in WASH sector adaptation to climate

"My idea came to me out of my concern for the devastating consequences of climate change in my hometown," says Ms Do Thi Dep.

Ms Dep is President of the Women's Union of Ba Tri town, Ba Tri district in Ben Tre province, Vietnam. Ben Tre is situated in the Mekong Delta, which is among the regions in the world most seriously impacted by climate change. Dubbed as Vietnam’s rice bowl, is slowly sinking into the sea. Erratic weather patterns, such as drought, coastal flooding and saltwater intrusion, gravely threaten the livelihood of 18 million people who call the Delta home, including Ms Dep.

Having access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is essential to the wellbeing of people and communities and a foundation for SDG6 and all the Sustainable Development Goals; yet in many corners of Vietnam, there are still some communities who, as a result of being marginalised, cannot afford basic levels of service. Where they live also matters as their situation can be further exacerbated by environmental stresses, such as climate change. This makes inclusive, accessible and climate-resilient WASH an urgent priority in these communities.

In Vietnam, Australia supports Thrive Networks/East meets West (Thrive) and their partners, through their Water for Women project, Women-led Output Based Aid, which has gender equality and social inclusion at its core. Changing mindsets in a changing climate - WASH delivery offers an important entry point to facilitate positive changes in social norms, attitudes and gender relations.

Thrive has enjoyed a long history of strategic partnership with the Vietnam Women’s Union (WU), recognising the value of women as change agents in their communities. This includes the organic development of innovative approaches that are sensitive to the needs and affordability of vulnerable local people, which can be overlooked by policy makers and implementers who are unfamiliar with local or regional socio-economic context.

Recognising and valuing the critical contributions of women as decision makers, stakeholders, educators, carers and experts across sectors and at all levels is key to a sustainable, climate-resilient future. Without their voices at the table, this won’t happen.

It is with this understanding that Thrive, in collaboration with WU launched a 150 million VND Innovation Fund in 2020, open to organisations or female individuals living in the Mekong Delta, who are passionate about expanding or creating science-based solutions to better response to climate change and ensure inclusive WASH service delivery.

Ms Dep ‘s idea to “produce organic vegetables combined with drip irrigation technology and agricultural mulch to promote sustainable livelihoods and climate change adaptation” won the first prize worth a 60 million VND grant to make her innovative idea a reality.

Ms Dep aims for the diffusion and uptake of stable and effective organic agricultural practices in her farming community to enhance productivity whilst improving the community's health through meeting people's demands for safe and clean food.

We look forward to seeing how this innovative project progresses, congratulations to Ms Dep!

Photos: Thrive Networks East Meets West, Nguyen Van Ngoc Tien, Program Officer in Ben Tre province