She Grows the Future aims at promoting inclusive climate adaptation policies and practices led by women.

Lai Chau, a rural province in northwest Vietnam, faces significant socioeconomic challenges, with poverty rates of 28.5%, far exceeding the national average of 4.4%. Home to over 20 ethnic minority (EM) groups, these communities represent 55% of the province’s poor. Agriculture, their primary livelihood, is under pressure due to limited arable land, scarce economic opportunities, and rising climate risks.

The region experiences increased temperatures, irregular rainfall, and frequent natural disasters, such as landslides and floods, which undermine agricultural productivity and strain local resources. Women, particularly those from EM groups, face compounded vulnerabilities. They constitute 85.9% of the agricultural workforce but encounter significant barriers to accessing credit, land, resources, and decision-making power, with only 23% leading agricultural cooperatives. These challenges hinder their resilience and increase their burden in managing the impacts of climate change.

To address these challenges, the program will combine gender-transformative and sustainable approaches, such as nature-based solutions, to improve climate adaptation competency for local project participants.

Objective of She Grows the Future

• Supporting the scaling-up of ecosystem adaptation solutions by rural women.

• Fostering a community of committed stakeholders who promote gender-transformative policies and practices in climate adaptation and conservation.

How does She Grows the Future work?

• Support the development of community climate adaptation plans.
• Implement Farmer Field Schools to promote climate-resilient agricultural practices.
• Support women-led climate adaptation initiatives.
• Raise awareness of gender equality, engage men, and strengthen stakeholder networks.

Participants of She Grows the Future

Location

Tan Uyen and Pac Ta communes, Lai Chau province

Timeframe

2024 – 2027

Donor