The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) plays a significant role in promoting the startup ecosystem in Vietnam, particularly in addressing sustainable development challenges. UNDP runs various projects that support not only startups but also the key stakeholders in the ecosystem, including government agencies, research organizations, and private sector companies.
UNDP’s projects focus on addressing social and environmental issues related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as environmental protection, gender equality, poverty reduction, and improving livelihoods for vulnerable groups.
Some notable UNDP programs in Vietnam include Youth Co:Lab, the Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge (EPPIC), the Circular Economy Network Vietnam (CE Hub), and Social Impact Business (SIB) initiatives. These programs help young businesses grow and also strengthen the ecosystem by enhancing the capacity of stakeholders and supporting community-driven innovation to tackle social and environmental issues.
UNDP’s initiatives not only focus on economic growth but also on ensuring that innovation serves social goals, such as improving livelihoods, creating job opportunities for youth, and fostering gender equality.
