CSA Vietnam – A journey of inspiration and advocacy

The Action for CSO Development Alliance (CSA Vietnam) is a collection of individuals and CSOs operating in Vietnam who are dedicated and share a common goal of improving advocacy and contributing to policy formulation for a favorable development environment for Vietnam’s CSOs to meet the development needs of CSOs, and at the same time participate in protecting the interests of disadvantaged community groups in society. CSA Vietnam was established in March 2014 with initial support from Advocacy projects conducted by MSD with support from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).

– TARGET:

Common development goal: Building a favorable development environment for the effective and sustainable development of CSOs in Vietnam

Project objective: Empower Vietnamese CSOs to effectively participate in advocacy for a favorable development environment to develop CSOs in Vietnam.

▪︎ Advocate promoting a favorable operating environment for CSOs to help CSOs to participate in the development process actively.

▪︎ Collaborate in strategy development and advocacy to strengthen the role of Vietnamese CSOs in advocacy, criticism, and policy development.

▪︎ Sharing and coordinating capacity building for coalition members on Development Efficiency and Advocacy.

▪︎ Strengthen communication for the campaigning activities for coalition members and the advocacy work of Vietnamese CSOs to policymakers, donors, and the media.

▪︎ Coordinating the implementation of advocacy programs/projects.

– PROJECT RESULTS:

1.  Strengthen capacity development and advocacy for a favorable development environment of CSOs. Capacity building for CSOs and State officials on Association Law and advocacy activities for a favorable development environment for CSOs. With this output, the project also hopes to overcome the gaps in the capacity of the organizations and raise awareness for State officials about CSOs as well as how to support these organizations effectively.
2.  Strengthening the network and alliance of CSOs working for a favorable development environment for CSOs. This result aims to overcome the gaps in connecting and building a learning network, development, and advocacy for a favorable development environment of CSOs in Vietnam in general and in CSA Vietnam in particular.
3. Achieving common advocacy methods and evidence-based advocacy practices for Association Law and a favorable development environment for CSOs. Strengthening the practice of advocacy and advocacy based on the evidence of CSA Vietnam. This activity is to advocate for the Association Law and advocate for a favorable development environment for CSOs in general.

– Activities in the project:

(1) Capacity-building activities

▪︎ Phase 1: 6 training courses providing participants with advanced knowledge and skills in advocacy for a favorable development environment, focusing on (1) Assessment of the context and environment; (2) Analysis of power and relationship between the State and CSOs; (3) Developing a set of standards for a favorable development environment; (4) Strategize for change

▪︎ Phase 2: 3 training courses on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and advocacy on the participation of CSOs in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

221 organizations across the country participated in the training: 97 organizations in the North, 54 organizations in the Central Region, and 70 organizations in the South.

▪︎ Cooperating with the Institute of Leadership and Public Policy (ViLEAP) in capacity-building activities for State officials on the role and contribution of CSOs

(2) Network-building activities

▪︎ Community of Practice of CSOs – Inspiring CSOs

▪︎ Organized 3 regional CSA workshops to develop the strategy and operational roadmap of CSA Vietnam from the first steps of the project

▪︎ Organize a training seminar on November 28-29, 2017 in conjunction with the National Assembly session to develop a strategy for the CSA network and update the regional strategy

▪︎ Organized 5 networking seminars held with the participation of 323 representatives from State Agencies and CSOs

(3) Advocacy Activity

▪︎ Develop evidence-based policy

▪︎ Policy Statement and Dialogue

▪︎ Organized 3 seminars on CSOs and Development Partners