HANOI, Viet Nam — Following the successful implementation of the Small Grants Programme by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity II (SGP II) in Viet Nam, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) hosted the SGP II Partners’ and Sustainability Forum to celebrate milestones and explore strategies for sustaining the programme’s achievements on biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
The forum convened more than 60 representatives from the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (NBCA-MAE), the KfW Development Bank (KfW), SGP II Service Providers, partner communities, as well as members of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network and officials from other ASEAN Member States. The event served as a platform for knowledge exchange and facilitating discussions to sustain the programme results.
From 2017 to 2025, SGP II invested EUR 7.71 million in 52 community-led projects across four ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) in Viet Nam—Ba Be, Chu Mom Ray, Hoang Lien, and Kon Ka Kinh National Parks. These initiatives contributed to the improved capacities of park managements, ethnic groups, women, and youths in monitoring wildlife, providing ecotourism services, and developing biodiversity-based livelihood products.
Among the significant programme outputs are the documentation of more than 10,000 flora and 90 fauna species, the planting of 84,000 seedlings of endangered tree species, and new income streams for more than 170 households who participated in various livelihood activities espoused by the programme.
“The SGP II brought significant wins for biodiversity and livelihoods in Viet Nam. Through this forum, we would like to inspire collaborations with local, national, and regional conservation actors and see how these gains could continue beyond the project timeline,” Dr. Nguyen Xuan Dung, Official, NBCA-MAE.
The forum featured a series of presentations from SGP II stakeholders who shared their learning experiences and innovations in implementing the projects. The presentations provided insights to participants on effective approaches for sustaining project results and fostering stronger collaboration among partners. Invited speakers from other AHPs and conservation organisations likewise shared various sustainability mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships and biodiversity finance plans.
One of the highlights of the forum was the launching of various knowledge products and the premiere of a 15-minute video documentary produced by the ACB. Beyond the reported results, the documentary offered a glimpse of the inspiring stories of SGP II partner communities and organisations, highlighting how local actions have generated meaningful impacts for people and nature.
“The success of SGP II reflects the power of community-driven action and partnerships in addressing biodiversity challenges. As we celebrate the milestones of the programme, we also recognise that sustaining these gains requires continued collaboration, innovation, and commitment from all stakeholders,” said Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor, Executive Director of the ACB.
The forum concluded with a collective reaffirmation of support for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development through the Commitment Board, where participants expressed their promised actions towards advancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in their respective communities.
Throughout the forum, an exhibit booth showcased programme infographics and products from partner communities of SGP I and II, including the biodiversity-inspired textiles from the women’s group Thu cong Hoang Lien and the honey products from Sa Thay Commune Beekeeping Cooperative in CMRNP.
The SGP II Partners’ and Sustainability Forum marks not only a celebration of accomplishments, but also the beginning of a renewed commitment from programme and external stakeholders alike to ensure that the successful outcomes gained over the past years will continue to benefit communities and biodiversity across ASEAN for years to come.
The SGP II is an initiative supported by the Federal Republic of Germany through the KfW, to sustain biodiversity and support the livelihoods of local communities within and around selected AHPs in Viet Nam.
