Vietnam Rivers Network (hereafter referred to as VRN) was established in November 2005. It is currently coordinated by the Center for Water Resources Conservation and Development (WARECOD). VRN is an open forum whose membership comprises a broad set of actors concerned with river protection and sustainable development in Vietnam, including NGOs’ representatives, researchers, academics, government officials, local communities, individuals.
Key themes:
- Social and environmental impacts of hydropower development
- River pollution
- Mining activities
- Impacts of climate change on water resources and riverine communities.
- Watershed forest protection
- Rivers biodiversity protection
Priority activities:
- Acting as a multilateral forum to exchange information, knowledge and experiences related to water resources and rivers.
- Increasing awareness and building the capacity for VRN members and communities.
- Networking and intensifying exchange and cooperation with relevant stakeholders.
- Carrying out independent monitoring, evaluation, and advocacy of domestic water policies.
Some key projects
- Running Vietnam River Network, funded by the McKnight Foundation. Main project activities are information sharing, small studies on dam and pollution issues and workshops.
- Capacity strengthening of the Vietnam Rivers Network: Advocacy and Research on rivers and sustainable energy in Vietnam, funded by ICCO.
- Building up monitoring and advocacy skills for VRN members to engage with Multilateral Development Banks in Vietnam co-funded by GGF, KEPA, BIC and IR.
- Monitoring the implementation of World Bank safeguard policies in the Trung Son hydropower project. Care Vietnam, KEPA and Oxfam Hong Kong provided funding for this activity.
- Conducting training workshop on river protection for VRN members in general and at a pilot site for local people in Me Linh district, Vinh Phuc province, and creating communication materials to disseminate widely at central and local levels, funded by SSNC.
Achievements:
- The membership of the network has increased from 30 people to more than 150 people and 20 organizations.
- 24 bi-monthly newsletters were published and have been distributed to the network members and to other interested people. The newsletters include a whole range of information relating to water and rivers conservation and to alternative energy, both internationally and domestically. Almost 300 copies are distributed each issue.
- Findings of 22 small studies were presented to the authorities at all level and relevant agencies.
VRN has recently actively participated in criticizing and giving valuable recommendations on disclosed social and environmental impacts assessment reports of the Trung Son hydropower project - a World Bank loan project.