Ethnic minority youth in Phong Tho district, Lai Chau, participate in a beekeeping model. (Source source: Plan International)

Lai Chau – A project on economic empowerment for young ethnic minority people in the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau has had many activities to create livelihoods, promote gender equality, and facilitate youth development after two years of implementation.

The information was revealed at a conference on April 26 to launch the third implementation year of the project, sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Plan International Japan.

The project is located in Phong Tho district, with investments of 3.1 billion VND (132,000 USD) for the first year (March 2021-February 2022), and 4.9 billion VND for the second (March 2022-February 2023).

Meanwhile, an additional 3.5 billion VND will be used for the third year from March 2023 to February 2024, with a focus on building a facility and supporting equipment for a community learning centre in Dao San commune; and organising training on cultivation, animal husbandry, business administration in food processing for youth union members.

Otsuka Mitsuru, First Secretary at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasised that the project started in 2021 with the goal of building a favorable environment for young ethnic minorities in Lai Chau to increase their incomes from livelihood activities, without being constrained by traditional local customs, knowledge, and techniques.