Annual Report - CSRD 2019

Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD) is a Hue based, local non-government organization (NGO) working to seek justice for vulnerable communities threatened by external change. We help to create community resilience to threats resulting from climate change, hydropower construction, agri-business and industry expansion.

We do this through four key activities: 1.

We research the real issues at the grassroots level and maintain grassroots buy-in at all stages of project implementation.

2.

We act as change agents and raise awareness by training and advocacy.

3.

We empower disadvantaged people, particularly women, helping them to realize their rights and to make their voices heard.

4.

We lead pilot projects such as mangrove planting, composting and childhood education to develop options for change.

CSRD works in partnership with local communities in Thua Thien Hue and other provinces in the central regions, across Vietnam and across borders. We provide support to disadvantaged and vulnerable people with information, empowerment, advocacy services and practical assistance.

All projects are managed in close cooperation with the affected people and are research-based. We have skilled and experienced staff and we work to ensure positive change for the future of everyone in Vietnam.

Dear Friends and Colleagues!

On behalf of the Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD), I would like to express my sincere thanks to all sponsors, partners, friends, colleagues and communities who are always by our side and support us during the development process of CSRD. Among the achievements that CSRD has today, which cannot be lack of your contribution. We are always aware and respectful of that. 2019 ended with many challenges and successes but above all, we could see that our activities and projects bring benefits to the community and society.

In 2019, we focus more on the water resources field, waste and supporting livelihood models with activities in Dak Lak, Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue provinces. In Dak Lak, we are continuing to promote the role and responsibility of the community with activities related to the management of water and fisheries resources in the Serepok River basin aiming to

guide livelihood development and sustainable water resource exploitation. Four livelihood models have been established and developed with the goal of livelihood development combined with sustainable exploitation of water resources.

In our project sites, we continue to implement advanced activities to assess the impact of water and gender on women and enhance women's position in livelihood development. The goal is that affected communities and vulnerable groups will be cared for and supported to be able to master their lives.

The year of 2020 is coming and there will also be many challenges and opportunities await us. We will make more efforts to bring more benefits to society and community. We hope you will continue to accompany with us in the road ahead.

Once again, thank you very much!

MUNICIPAL WASTE RECYCLING PROGRAM TO REDUCE PLASTICS POLLUTION OF OCEANS Plastic pollution in our oceans is a major global problem which needs support and action from international, national and local communities.

Hue City contributes to this global problem. It produces nearly 20 tons of plastic waste every day and some of this makes its way into the

its solid waste management, but it will require coordinated and committed action across the whole community to achieve its vision. This project will contribute to that vision by promoting the 3Rs (reduce, re-use, recycle), by introducing waste separation at selected local schools, through public involvement in the 5%

Huong (Perfume) River and on into the sea.

Thien Thua Hue Province has prepared a Master Plan with a vision for 2050 to manage

reduction target, and through media publicity.

The aim of the project: We will achieve this aim through three linked projects which will have impacts on solid waste in the City, on the river, and at the coast (at the source, in transit and at destination).

The project aligns particularly well with MWRP objectives funded by USAID. Project objectives and associated activities are described below:  To raise students’ and community awareness of the negative impacts of plastic waste on the environment;  To raise awareness and change practice through different and innovative measures to reduce plastic pollution;  To reduce plastics pollution in local schools, on the Huong River, and on the coast;  To change people’s behaviour and actions to protect the environment.

Activities and campaigns call for the participation of many different individuals and organizations.

The competitions and waste classification implemented at the schools.

The project focuses on implementing and implementing in 4 Secondary schools is Tran Cao Van, Phan Sao Nam, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Hoang Kim Hoan, 02 High schools is Quoc Hoc and Bui Thi Xuan. Waste collection and segregation activities will take place throughout the 2018-2019 school year and subsequent years. In addition, the school

Thai Duong Primary School (Hai Duong Commune). After the project ended, 09 schools all committed to maintain and carry out activities of waste classification, propaganda and raising awareness for students about environmental protection.

will participate and organize a lot of extracurricular activities focusing on the main topic of the project such as Riddles for learning, Ringing the bell, creating items from recycling, fashion protection environmental, study tours on environmental topics, ...

litter traps in Huong river basin, beach cleaning campaign in Thai Bac Ha Duong village (Hai Duong commune, Huong Tra town, Thua Thien Hue province). The campaign to clean the beach with the participation of nearly 300 people from schools and related departments, the campaign collected 27kg of recyclable waste (plastic bottles, cans, iron hammock frames, ...) and 172 Mixed garbage bags.

The result of waste separation at 6 schools after 9 months is 1,480kg: Plastic & Metal, 1098,2kg: Paper , total is 6.386.920VND. The entire amount of selling recycle waste will be supplemented to the activity fund of school or awarded for the environmental volunteers. In the school year 2019-2020, CSRD will expand its operations in 03 schools, Pham Van Dong Secondary School, Vinh Duong and

The project built and carried out many research activities such as research related to

In addition, within the framework CSRD always works closely with schools, Hue Urban Environment and Public Works State Co.Ltd (HEPCO), Hue Urban Administration Department and other agencies.

Publications of project: – Collection of Drawings Essays from the students of the 6 participating schools – Handbook: Reducing – Classifying – Recycling plastic waste Detail: csrd.vn

WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION IN DAK LAK PROVINCE The Natural Environment of Dak Lak Province Dak Lak has a rich system of rivers and streams, hundreds of reservoirs and large and small natural lakes, with a total area of over 42,000 ha. The Serepok tributaries flowing through Dak Lak are considered to have the most abundant aquatic resources in the Central Highlands.

However, rapid socio-economic development has now created great pressures on water resources. In particular, the demand for water for daily life and production is increasing and surface water is being exploited; aquatic resources are ruined by destructive fishing methods and unseasonal exploitation; hydropower projects are blocking the breeding grounds of fish and aquatic life, and the productivity has been seriously reduced. In addition, Dak Lak is facing a number of water related issues such as drought, floods and other natural disasters because of climate change.

Efficiencies from Awareness Raising on Water Resources Management Since 2016, the Center for Social Research and Development (CSRD) has established four community livelihood models in Dak Lak Province within the framework of the project "Water Resources Management". The models

Cleaning the ponds after harvesting fish - Ea Tung group.

are located in three Ea Tung villages (Krong Ana district), Tan Phu and Na Wer hamlets (Buon Don district) and Yang Tao commune (Lak district). By empowering the villagers with funding of 25-50,000,000 VND per group, scientific and technical guidance, and careful supervision, households have changed their financial management of water resources, they invest in livestock production in accordance with soil conditions, they improve their incomes, and gradually improve their lives.

Community Livelihood Models Community-Centered Criteria.

with

During the project, CSRD conducted training courses to equip households with practical knowledge and skills. They helped set up and organize farmer groups, prepare production and business plans which link together household groups, acquire agricultural science technology for production and economic development, thereby helping to raise incomes.

The models have brought economic benefits to the participating households, with very stable prices and outputs. In addition to these economic values, the main goal of the group was to ensure the development of livelihood activities, the sustainable development of fisheries, and more efficient management of

Restocking fish to Serepok river..

water resources in the Serepok River area. The groups are now planning to expand the scale of cage aquaculture; to establish and connect cooperatives for fisheries; and to build a model of community-based tourism based on cage aquaculture, pepper gardens, and citrus gardens with organic farming methods.

Regenerating aquatic resources To regenerate and supplement aquatic resources, the project has collaborated with local authorities and agencies to introduce a range of innovative measures. These include new methods for stocking fish, and combining fishing production with sustainable livelihood initiatives and conservation of the ecosystems of natural lakes and wetlands for fisheries

associations in Na Wer, Buon Don district; Ho Lak and Lien Son, Lak district. Today, Fisheries Associations can visit working models of water resource management across the region. They can share their experiences of operating techniques and the management regulations of the Fisheries Association, and they can help to protect and regenerate aquatic resources, thus helping to implement policies for conservation of aquatic resources in the natural environment.

Building community-based livelihood models for the conservation and sustainable development of fisheries and water resources is the right and the essential direction for Dak Lak province and the whole country.

The project has supported 04 livelihood models in 04 communities in the Serepok river basin.

THE VALUE CHAIN OF RECYCLABLE IN HUE CITY Continuing the results of the project "Municipal waste recycling program to reduce waste plastic pollution in the city, on the rivers and coastal areas of Thua Thien Hue province", CSRD collaborated with RMIT University - Australia implement project "The Value chain of recyclable in Hue City�. The overall purpose of this research project is to

a vital role in removing valuable material from the waste stream, where low-value plastics are utilised for economic gain. The informal waste management sector is comprised of vulnerable communities, predominantly women of lower socioeconomic status, who work to support their families financially. These populations depend primarily on the revenue generated

select and analyse the sub sector value chains within Hue City’s recyclable waste management sector. By doing so, the sub sector value chains should provide an understanding into potential revenue generation and loss throughout both formal

from independent operations, and the system thrives through capitalising off a free-market system. Through promoting the role of the informal sector, an increase in material value is achieved. This has the potential to minimize the volume of waste that ends up as

and informal waste management systems.

contamination in the environment.

The economic potential of recyclable materials is embedded in the service chain and material recovery processes. The informal sector plays

The informal sector plays a vital role in the value chain.

INTEGRATING GENDER IN LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Vietnam is facing many bad environmental and social consequences for sustainable development in the region. Vu Gia - Thu Bon river in Quang Nam province has 34 small and medium sized hydropower projects, 10 constructions have been built and used. Women are vulnerable subjects because of environmental and social impacts, but there are a little women's participations in this process.

Gender issues and social issues have not been resolved after constructing dam because of the lack of relevant handling mechanisms. Dam construction projects have many negative impacts on the role and position of women in families and communities, but there is no Gender Impact Assessment before dam construction.

Over the years, the Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD), funded by Oxfam, has implemented the project "Gender mainstreaming in large-scale hydropower projects - Hydroelectric cases in Central,

Central Highlands - Vietnam ”with the overall goal of promoting hydropower companies and related state agencies, policymakers will consider gender roles and impacts in the process. develop hydroelectricity in areas along the 3S river in the Central and the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

The project focuses on communities: Alua Kala, Dang commune, Tay Giang district; and Pachepalanh and Cutchurun, MaCooih commune, Dong Giang district in the resettlement areas of A Vuong hydropower plant. In addition, the community of Dai Hong commune, Dai Loc district of the Vu Gia- Thu Bon river downstream is also in the project area. The project activity mainly carries out researches applying the 6 tools proposed by Oxfam in “Balancing the scales: Using gender impact assessment in hydropower development’ (Proportional balance: Using gender impact assessment in hydropower development).

Women are vulnerable subjects because of environmental and social impacts.

The project activity also provides recommendations for stakeholders to pay attention, to develop gender equality programs according to the national strategy, paying attention to ethnic minorities, especially women in regions affected by development projects, including hydropower development.

Hydropower companies need to continue building models of sustainable development, building mechanisms for dialogue, support and new approaches such as social impact assessment and gender impact assessment.

Through the project, CSRD has also supported 03 livelihood models based on the strengths of the community, as rice cultivation, chicken and indigenous pigs raising. Activities of livelihood models have initially created a stable economy for households in the group; economic

Resettlement area of A Vuong hydropower in Dang commune.

development of women-led households, contributed to the promotion of gender equality in the community; increased the participation of women through group activities. At the same time project introduced local products, conserved local crop and livestock varieties.

People harvest rice sticky rice in the first time.

Community involvement in research activities.

All members alway participated activities in the group .

WOMAN AND CLIMATE CHANGE Vietnam is a country especially vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change.

Communities are vulnerable to climate change as well and the negative impacts on them are exacerbated due to the combination of hydropower development and climate change.

Many Vietnamese people, including men, women, and children, are vulnerable and affected by extreme climatic phenomena such as storms, floods, and its consequences such as riverbank erosion and mudslides.

in Quang Nam Province - Vietnam", funded

by APWLD. This study used FPAR's approach. FPAR is a research approach focused on justice for women undertaken by feminist. FPAR methodology involves the researcher and the community women participating directly in the research process.

This research method allows women who are the focus of the research to participate actively in the research.

In 2019-2020, CSRD will implement the research "Climate Change: Enhancing Gender Equality and Women Empowerment

This research method allows women who are the focus of the research to participate actively in the research

Provide opinions and discuss issues with together.

Learn, research and record information.

We also want to offer solutions on how to replicate project results, transform experiences from grassroots to policy, propose solutions to improve women's capacities, so that they can become the people who promote the sustainable development in the local. The implementation of the project will enhance the capacity and create conditions for local women to have a sustainable and on-site solution to handle their problems, contributing to building a resilient community; at the same time improve access to public services in terms of access to finance and use of clean water resources through policy dialogue. The process of planning for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation will be difficult to succeed without the participation and contribution of women.

On the one hand, we will be building livelihood development groups based on local strengths for women in resettlement and downstream areas of A Vuong hydropower. This research wants to promote the rights of the people and nature as their own subject. It needs to address strategic environmental issues and sustainable development. In addition, we want to support they are more confident in expressing their opinions at meetings with project officers as well as at workshops with the

Women - confidently express personal opinions.

Sharing results of group discussions and propose new ideas.

participation of many stakeholders.

WEBSITE AND FANPAGE - Website: csrd.vn - Fanpage: Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD) We use our website and fanpage to provide information and to communicate. It allows the user to easily find information, activities and events and is in both Vietnamese and English.

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART CSRD applies a Quality Management System (QMS) to all its operations. It is committed to transparency and accountability in all its work including an annual financial audit and assessment of staff capability.

CSRD sees this as an important issue which we have now followed for several years.

REREARCH AND PUBLICATIONS – Collection of Drawings Essays from the students of the 6 participating schools: Detail – Handbook: Reducing – Classifying – Recycling plastic waste: Detail – Policy brief: Gender Differences in Flood Resilience in Central Viet Nam – 2018: Detail – Policy brief: Ecosystem – Based Adaptation as a Tool to Increase Flood Resilience of the Vulnerable – 2018: Detail Detail at: csrd.vn

OUR DONORS AND PARTNERS We thank all the sponsors and partners who have been with us in 2019. Your help and support has delivered projects which encourage the healthy growth of communities and allow them to adapt to a constantly changing economy and society. We look forward to working with you in 2020 and beyond.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT KNOWLEDGE

PROJECT

ABILITY/KNOWLEDGE

Gender research

Environmental management

Wastemanagement

Climate change resilience

Community advocacy

Negotiation and conflict resolution

Forming and developing partnerships

Community training

Survey development and analysis

Public meetings/event management

Designing/delivering consultant programs

Focus groups/small group discussion

Consultation with ethnic minority communities

Consultation with disadvantaged groups

Project initiation and development

Policy advocacy

Monitoring and evaluation WARNING SYSTEM ON HUONG BASIN

POLLUTION OF THE OCEANS IMPROVING EFFICIENCY OF FLOOD

PROGRAM TO REDUCE PLASTICS

MUNICIPAL WASTE RECYCLING

ENHANCING FLOOD RESILIENCE

PESTICIDES

GENDER IMPACT ASSESSMENT (GIA2)

GENDER IMPACT ASSESSMENT (GIA1)

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

CLIMATE CHANGE AND GENDER

WOMEN AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

AWARENESS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

CONSERVATION OFTHE MEKONG RIVER

CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE

CLIMATE CHANGE – INNOVATIVE STOVES AND COMPOSTING

RUBBER

SUPPORTING DISPLACED COMMUNITIES

VOICES FOR WOMEN/GENDER EQUALITY

VIETNAM RIVERS NETWORK

NEWSKILLS FORRESETTLEMENT COMMUNITIES

IMPACTS OF HYDROPOWER DAMS

PLANTING MANGROVE

CSRD SKILLS MATRIX – PROJECTS FROM 2008 - 2019