Workshop on learning and sharing between INKOTA and Bread for the World (BftW) projects.

On April 11, 2026, a workshop was held in Nghe An to share the results and experiences of two projects: “Allocation of forest land to ethnic minority people in Tuong Duong district, Nghe An” (including the former three communes of Huu Khuong, Yen Na, and Yen Thang, now the three new communes: Huu Khuong, Yen Na, and Yen Hoa); and the project: “Strengthening the disaster response capacity of communities in the upstream area of ​​Thuong Xuan district, Thanh Hoa” (including the former three communes of Xuan Loc, Xuan Thang, and Luan Thanh, now the new communes: Thang Loc and Luan Thanh communes).

The workshop was attended by representatives from the Thanh Hoa Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations, relevant departments, and the CORENACCA Project team.

The workshop presented and exchanged the results and lessons learned from two projects in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces. The process and results of forest land allocation with the participation of ethnic minorities: Over 1,000 hectares of forest land have been allocated to 159 households and 3 village communities. Livelihood models have been implemented, and capacity building training has been provided to officials and people on community-based forest management and protection, as well as techniques for raising free-range chickens, beekeeping for honey, raising goats, and cultivating medicinal plants under the forest canopy. To date, 465 out of 500 households (as per the project design) have benefited from the project. Throughout the project implementation, the people have enthusiastically participated in all stages of land allocation, community meetings, and boundary demarcation, thus avoiding conflicts in the  future,

The upstream forest project in Thanh Hoa has been implemented as follows: Training and communication on disaster prevention and mitigation have been organized, and disaster prevention equipment has been provided to 13 project villages. 122.2 hectares out of the initial 80 hectares planned have been planted, achieving 152% of the plan, with 353 participating households (the initial plan was for 80 households). Local people have voluntarily contributed labor to planting forests, saving the project budget and increasing the number of seedlings for many beneficiary households. The project supports models of beekeeping, free-range chicken farming, and planting wild banana trees, which both benefit upstream water resources and provide feed for livestock and poultry. To overcome drought in rice fields during the dry season, the project has provided upstream water pipeline systems to 41 out of the 40 hectares planned. Local people enthusiastically participated in installing the water supply systems, successfully providing timely water to prevent drought and ensure fertile rice fields.

Delegates from agencies such as TUSTA, the Forestry Planning Team, and delegates from the Project area contributed many ideas and shared valuable lessons learned for projects in Nghe An and Thanh Hoa provinces.

Nguyen Viet Nghi