C. ANNEX III: REVIEW OF SOME NGOs

A study on some NGOs in Vietnam was carried out by a local team through IUCN, Vietnam. Emphasise was on contacting organisations working in line with the objectives of RETA 5771 with the aim of forming an understanding of their capacity and interest to cooperate with the project.

The total number of environmental and development NGOs contacted for the review was 29 of which 12 were local organisations and 19 were international NGOs. All organisations received a letter of introduction, project description and a questionnaire form to be filled in. Information was received from 13 organisations, of which 9 were Vietnamese organisations and 4 international. A summary of the information received is included hereunder.

1. Organisations answering the questionnaire:

1. The Center for Reproductive and Family Health
2. Institute for Southeast Asian Studies
3. OXFAM Great Britain
4. Centre for Gender, Environment and Sustainable Development Studies (GENDCEN
5. Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (CRES)
6. Cooperation Internationale pour le Developpement et Solidarite/International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity (CIDSE)
7. The National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam (NCFAW).
8. Research Center for Gender, Family and Environment in Development (CGFED)
9. Oxfam Hong Kong
10. Environmental Development Action in the Third World (ENDA)
11. Vietnam Gardening Association -VACVINA
12. Women Studies Department
13. Rural Development Services Centre

I. SUMMARY

These following statistic is summarised from the Result of the questionnaires: respondents only.

1. Objectives of NGOs

2. Type and number of NGOs for each decade

3. Number of NGO’s staff in respondent organizations:

4. Willing to work with RETA

5. Form of Cooperation

6. Expectation in working with RETA

7. Budget range of organisations responding per year

8. NGOs budget

II QUESTIONNAIRE

1. The Center for Reproductive and Family Health

Established year: 1993

Registered with: Ha Noi Science Technology and Environment Department.

1. Philosophy: Improving the quality of health care services for community people.

2. Main areas of specialisation: Reproductive health care for community people (especially women and children).

3. The capacity of the organization: Being one of the leading Vietnamese NGOs in the field of reproductive health, RaFH is very good on:

• Implementing project on reproductive health and family planning, maternal and child health.
• Conducting survey, research.
• Publication.

3.1 Personnel:

3.2 Has your staff received training in special skills by participating in e.g. training course, seminars, study tours, etc. Give detail and length of training.

• Training on Project Design and Management - organized every year by the Asia Center for population and community Development (BKK - Thailand)
• Training for Program Manager on the Quality of Reproductive Health Care - by UNFPA
• Training on infertility - organized by RaFH, Funded by The Embassy of Canada
• Training on focus group discussion - (ECIUNFPA project)
• Training on developing curriculum for manager - organized by RDSC & FIP

3.3 Estimate annual budget 1998 is: 120,000 USD

Estimate annual budget 1999 is: 120,000 USD

Funding sources:

4. Please list co-operation with other organizations:

4.1 Local NGOs:

• The Center of non-Formal Education of Vietnam
• SUCECON
• The Center for Gender, Family and Enviroment in Development

4.2 Various national authorities such as:

• The National Committee on Population and Family Planning (NCPFP)
• Ministry of Health (MOH)
• Institute of Protection of Mother and New-born
• Provincial and District Women Union of Ninh Binh District
• Department of Education and Training of Ha Noi (Both at provincial and district level)
• Maternal - Child health and family planning centers at provincial level.
• Commune People Committee (in project area)

4.3 International NGOs, and other International organizations:

• Care International
• UNFPA
• World Population Foundation
• The Royal Netherlands Embassy
• The Embassy of Canada
• NOVIB, MEMISA

5. In which provinces is your organization working and in which areas of specialisation?

6. Describe the manner in which your organization is working with villages - based development and capacity building

• To make collaboration relation with local authorities
• To set up family planning volunteer network at project communes.
• To train community leaders facilitators to be able to make plan for themselves.
• To organise refreshment training courses for health workers in communities level to update their knowledge on reproductive health and family planning, STD, HIV/AIDS prevention
• To provide medical equipment and drugs for communes health centers.
• To support district mobile team to provide gynaecological examination and treatment.

7. Would you like to co-operate with RETA project? YES

8. What type of input you can provide?

Training, Conducting survey, research... and implementing project.

9. Your expectations with regards to the above-mentioned involvement:

• Gaining more experiences.
• Expanding collaboration with other organizations

10. Are there any special restrictions/ official concerns relating to your involvement in the RETA project?—NO

11. Please give your contact information:

The form has been filled by Ms Truong Hien Anh (signed) - Administration Officer on 25 March 1999

2. Institute for Southeast Asian Studies

Established year: 1973

Registered with:

1. Philosophy: Anthropology

2. Main areas of specialisation: Socio-economic, Development and culture history

3. The capacity of the organization:

3.1. Has your staff received training in special skills by participating in e.g. training course, seminars, study tours, etc. give detail and length of training.

• Training on area studies for 3 months in Ha Noi by Japanese specialist
• Training on Asian studies for 1 month in Singapore
  Training on co-management on the basic of the community for 4 months by Canadian specialist.

3.2. Estimate annual budget 1998 and 1999-04-12: VND 1.5 billion
Funding sources: By Vietnamese Government.

4. Please list co-operation with other organizations:

4.1. Local NGOs:

4.2 Various national authorities such as:

• Central Government agencies: Department on border line of government
• Provincial authorities: Nghe An, Lai Chau, Ha Tinh, Kon Tum, Ha Tien provinces
• District authorities: The districts of these above provices
• Communes: The communes of these districts.

4.3 International NGOs, and other International organizations: Ford Foundation, Japan Foundation

5. In which provinces is your organization working and in which areas of specialisation?

6. Describe the manner in which your organization is working with villages - based development and capacity building

7. Would you like to co-operate with RETA project? YES

8. What type of input you can provide?
Consultancy, Training.

9. Your expectations with regards to the above-mentioned involvement:

10. Are there any special restrictions/ official concerns relating to your involvement in the RETA project?—NO

11. Please give your contact information:

The form has been filled by Mr. Nguyen Huy Than, Head Department of Administration (signed) Date: 25 March 1999

3. OXFAM Great Britain

Established year: 1989 in Vietnam, 1942 in the world during World War II

Registered with: PACCOM in Vietnam.

1. Philosophy: Oxfam’s purpose in Vietnam is to assist communities in the poorest districts of three provinces: Lao Cai, Ha Tinh, Tra Vinh to improve their well-being in sustainable way through the coherent set of sectorial activities. Complementing this work is the commitment to presenting informed arguments for the needs of the poor and marginalised at the community, district, provincial, national and international levels.

2. Areas of specialisation: Sustainable livelihoods, education (primary), disaster + emergency, capacity building, advocacy

3. The capacity of the organization:

3.1 Personnel:

3.2 Training

3.3 Estimate annual budget 1998 /1999: GBP 700,000

Funding sources: DFID (British ODA), NOVIB, and Oxfam Headquater in Oxford.

4. Please list co-operation with other organizations:

4.1 Local NGOs: RDSC, GENCEN

4.2 Various national authorities such as:

• Central Government agencies: MARD, MoET, MoFA, MOLISA, MPI
• Provincial authorities: Ha Tinh, Lao Cai, Tra Vinh
• District Authorities: Ky Anh, Sa Pa, Muong Khuong, Duyen Hai
• Communes: Many

4.3 International NGOs, and other International organizations:

5. Province of work: Lao Cai, Ha Tinh, Tra Vinh

Area of work: Education, sustainable livelihoods, disaster, advocacy
We have participated in the following project:

6. Describe the manner in which your organization is working with villages - based development and capacity building:

We normally improve local capacity (empowerment) so that they can do themselves. Forming local institutions (such as extension clubs, interest groups, water users organizations) and improving their capacity are key of success. In every development activities, Oxfam functions as catalyst of change or change agent where participation, gender issues are our concerns.

7. Would you like to co-operate with RETA project? YES

8. What type of input you can provide? Consultancy

9. Your expectations with regards to the above-mentioned involvement:

• Sharing experience
• Coordination efforts
• Financial support

10. Are there any special restrictions/ official concerns relating to your involvement in the RETA project? Timing, that we are so busy, but we can try to arrange if advance notice.

11. Please give your contact information:

The form has been filled by: Mr. Do Thanh Lam - Program Coordinator Designated (signed), Date: 13 April, 1999

4. Centre for Gender, Environment and Sustainable Development Studies (GENDCEN)

Established in year: May 1998

Registered with: Ministry of Science, technology and Environment

1. The philosophy of the organisation

The goal of GENDCEN is Improving knowledge, situation of gender equality, economic environment and socio-economic Development and contributing into sustainable development in Vietnam.

2. The main areas of specialisation

• Gender
• Environment
• Socio-economic sustainable development

3. The capacity of the organisation

3.1 Personnel

3.2 Has your staff received training in special skill by participating in e.g. training courses, seminars, study tours, etc. Give details and length of training

3.3 Estimate annual Budget 1998 & 1999: Funding sources

4. List cooperation with other organizations

4.1 Various national authorities

4.2 International non-government organisations and other international organisations: Bread for the World Oxfam England

5. In which provinces is your organisation working and in which area of specialisation? if you have participated in special projects please give the name of the projects and which the implementing agency was

6. Please describe the manner in which your organisation is working with village-based. development and capacity building

• Organizing and running training courses on gender concepts, gender equality, economic environment, economic issues and socio-economic sustainable development.
• Providing assistance in organization, management, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Providing Document on gender, environment and socio-economic sustainable development issues

7. Would you like to co-operate with RETA project? —YES.

8. What type of input could you provide: We could provide

• Conducting survey and research on Vietnamese development issues.
• Providing consulting services in the fields of gender, environment and socio-economic development.
• Organizing and running training courses on gender concepts, gender equality, economic environment, economic issues and socio-economic sustainable development
• Organizing exchange knowledge, seminar workshop on gender, environment and socio-economic sustainable development.
• Providing assistance in organization, management, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Documenting on gender, environment and socio-economic sustainable, development. issues

9. What would be your expectations with regards to the above mentioned involvement

10. Are there any special restrictions/ official concerns relating to your involvement in the RETA project?—NO

11. Please give your contact information:

The form has been filled by Tran Dang Tuan (signed) - on 06 April 1999

5. Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (CRES)

Established year: 1985 (under Ha Noi University) 1995 (under Vietnam National University)

1. Philosophy: To provide sound bases for a sustainable future through social and environment research, education and training

2. Main areas of specialisation: Research and Training

3. The capacity of the organization:

3.1 Personnel: see attached page

3.2 see attached page

3.3 Estimate annual budget 1998 : USD 200,000

Estimate annual budget 1999 : USD 200,000
Funding sources: Ford Foundation, Mc Arthur Foundation, Oxfam American, Japan Foundation, IUCN

4. Please list co-operation with other organizations:

4.1 Local NGOs: None

4.2 Various national authorities such as:

• Central Government agencies
• Provincial authorities
• District authorities
• Communes

5. International NGOs, and other International organizations: Ford Foundation, World Resources Institute (USA), SIDA, East-West Center (USA), OROVERDE (Germany), WWF

6. In which provices is your organization working and in which areas of specialisation?

7 Go to villages to conduct research, work with local people to find out their needs and try to bring in credit projects to help them improve household economy: Organise training courses for capacity building.

8. Would you like to co-operate with RETA project?—YES

9. What type of input you can provide?

Consultancy, Training, conducting research.

10. Your expectations with regards to the above-mentioned involvement:

Staff learn new experience through working in interdisciplinary researchers. Provide work opportunities to staff.

11. Are there many special restrictions/ official concerns relating to your involvement in the RETA project?

Time-constraint. Staff can not work full time for RETA project. CRES expect to get sub-contract from RETA project.

12. Please give your contact information:

Le Trong Cuc
167 Bui thi Xuan
Tel. 04 976 0975
Fax: 04 821 8934

CRES Staff Members

The form has been filled by Tran Dang Tuan (signed) - on 06 April 1999

6. Cooperation Internationale pour le Developpement et Solidarite/International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity (CIDSE)

Established in 1967 in Belgian; 1978 in Vietnam

Registered with Belgian Government; NGO Affairs Committee in Vietnam

1. What is the philosophy of the organisation?

CIDSE is an international working group of 18 Catholic development agencies. The Cambodia Laos Vietnam (CLV) Programme is a consortium made up of eleven CIDSE members from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as Caritas Switzerland and Christian Aid (UK and Ireland). The CIDSE programme commenced in Vietnam in 1978. CIDSE promotes self-reliant, human development which enhances the life of the poorest people in society and seeks to address the root causes of poverty. Development assistance is given regardless of race, gender, religion or political beliefs and is offered as a gesture of solidarity from Christian communities in member countries to people in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

2. Which are the main areas of specialisation?

CIDSE’s mission in Vietnam is to deliver a high quality development programme, in cooperation with partner organisations, to the poor in remote areas or in difficult circumstances, with innovative, appropriate and replicable methodologies. In the north and centre, CIDSE assistance is focused mainly on mountainous areas and, as in the south, reaches out to the poor, especially ethnic minorities and women. CIDSE is active in agriculture and rural development, credit and savings, primary health care and emergency assistance, emphasising training and capacity building of staff and partners. CIDSE seeks to work increasingly at commune and village levels while maintaining close relations with district and provincial authorities.

3. The capacity of the organisation

3.1 Personnel (separate full time and part time)

3.2 Has your staff received training in special skills by participating in e.g. training courses, seminars, study tours, etc. Give details and length of training.

Yes, numerous courses over recent years. Two of the five doctors have studied PHC management at Mahidol University, Thailand. Most staff have participated in project management courses, community development training, English language training. Specialist staff have trained in their area of specialism and are, in general, quite experienced in their particular field.

3.3 Estimated annual budget 1998 and 1999: $1.1 million 1998, $1.4 million 1999

Funding sources: Members of the CIDSE Consortium (including government co-financing); Cofinancing from the Commission of the European Communities.

4. Please list co-operation with other organisations

4.1 Local non-government organisations

Mass organisations: provincial and district level women’s unions (credit and savings projects); provincial and district level gardeners’ associations/farmers’ union (credit and savings in HCMC, VAC economy in Bac Kan, spread of new technologies in Thai Nguyen and Bac Kan; provincial labour union in HCMC (credit and savings)

4.2 Various national authorities, such as central government agencies: MARD, MOH, MOLISA - strategies provincial authorities: Agriculture and Rural Development departments in Bac Kan, Phu Tho and Thai Nguyen (agriculture extension centre, plant protection sub-department); Health Services (Thai Nguyen and Long An) district authorities: Health services (Phu Luong district, Thai Nguyen), Irrigation section (Huong Tra, Thua Thien Hue), range of services under the district people’s committee (Cho Moi, Bac Kan; Dinh Lap, Lang Son; Quy Chau, Nghe An) communes: a variety of relationships depending upon the type of project and the activities implemented.

5. In which provinces is your organisation working and in which area of specialisation?

Current Activities in Viet Nam