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How can communities improve their livelihoods while also protecting the ecosystems they depend on?

As climate risks continue to intensify, early action is key to protecting community health. Community-based approaches are opening up more sustainable solutions – especially for children and vulnerable groups. 

Behind every coffee bean is a journey that connects land, livelihoods, businesses, and communities. Yet within that journey, there are also questions that go beyond quality standards or market requirements: How can children in coffee-growing areas be better protected? How can sustainability become more than compliance, and create real change for families and communities?

In the below story, Nathan Y, who works on sustainability initiatives within a coffee company in Dak Lak, shares how his understanding of a sustainable value chain has shifted - from meeting standards to placing children’s safety, wellbeing, and development at the center of long-term change.

On 23–24 April 2026, Save the Children Vietnam participated in the Climate Change Education Forum of Shanghai Climate Week 2026, with the support of Save the Children China. 

On 24 April 2026, the Award Ceremony of the “Students with Cyber Security 2026” competition was held, marking the conclusion of a meaningful journey to strengthen students’ awareness and skills in staying safe online.

More than 60 young people from Vietnam and the Republic of Korea came together to connect, exchange ideas, and share climate initiatives at the event “Vietnam–Korea Youth Acting Green for a Shared Future.”

Climate change is increasingly impacting children’s lives and learning. In this context, climate change education should go beyond simply delivering knowledge; it needs to help children understand, experience, and gradually take action within their own environments.

A safe digital environment is not only built by technology, but by how we, as adults, show up and stay connected with children every day.

In late March 2026, Save the Children, together with partners, convened the Year 1 Review and Year 2 Planning Meeting for the “Innovative Finance for Ecosystem-Based Enterprise Development in Vietnam” project in Da Nang and Ca Mau.

In Vietnam, where 99.5% of children are exposed to multiple climate and environmental shocks (UNICEF, 2023), climate change is already threatening children’s learning, health and safety. Yet climate change education remains unevenly implemented and often theoretical.

Save the Children in Vietnam is advancing a child-centered, system-integrated approach that enable children to adopt green behaviors and climate resilient practices daily through the development and digitization of contextualized learning materials, teacher capacity building, and structured student participation mechanisms. The approach also strengthens experiential learning through a Climate Change Education Center and connects classrooms with ecosystem restoration and community resilience efforts.

In 2025, 13,660 children engaged in climate education initiatives, with 258 youth leading climate campaigns. Evidence shows measurable gains in knowledge and sustained climate-friendly practices, underscoring Save the Children’s role in shaping scalable, policy-aligned climate education that empowers children to contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable future.

On 03 Apr 2026, Save the Children, in partnership with Thanh Hoa Medical College organized the competition “Students Adapting to Careers in the Green and Equal Era”.

Once hesitant to speak up for fear of saying something wrong, Vân - an 8th-grade student in Ho Chi Minh City - now confidently represents her peers sharing their views at the 2026 Children’s Voices Forum. 

“Before, I often stayed silent. Now I believe my voice can contribute to positive change.” 

Vân’s journey began at the Pink Club — where she not only learned how to protect herself online, but also to believe in herself and share her voice. 

In Dien Bien, Vietnam, the “Vui Đọc Cùng Em” (Happy Read) app - supported by structured teacher training and practical handbooks - is being effectively integrated into classrooms to enhance Vietnamese literacy and modernize teaching in line with the national curriculum.

A training course on Entrepreneurship and Innovation was organized for 120 students from Viet Nam – Korea Vocational College of Ca Mau on 05-06 March 2026.

Livelihoods connected to nature can only be truly sustainable when people have access to the right resources for long-term development.

On 26 February 2026, Save the Children, in partnership with SunRice Group and the Dak Lak Union of Friendship Organizations, organized a rice distribution programme to support people and children affected by disasters across the province.

The youth group Green Chenh Venh represented Viet Nam at the Generation Hope Goals Final Event during the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) in Bangkok.

“I hope this season goes well, with healthy and fast-growing shrimps… Thanks to the support of shrimp and crab seedlings, my family has a better chance to make a living,” shared a resident of Tam Giang Commune, Cà Mau, with a bright smile.

Summary of Save the Children in Vietnam’s activities and achievements.

On February 5th 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights, in collaboration with Save the Children in Vietnam and relevant municipal departments, organized the Ho Chi Minh City Children’s Forum 2026 under the theme “For a Safe and Friendly Online Environment for Children.”

From 27–30 January 2026, Save the Children organized the Outcome Harvesting Learning Event under the “Girls Unstoppable” project in Hanoi.

When we returned to Chieng hamlet, Yen The commune, Bac Ninh province on a quiet January afternoon in 2026, Ms. Luyen was still pedaling her old bicycle along the village road, collecting scrap metal, just as she had done for years. Her body remained fragile, her steps uneven. But this time, her smile felt lighter.

The nationwide “Not Alone – Together for Online Safety” campaign concluded in January 2026, marking a year-long effort to promote a safer digital environment for children and adolescents in Vietnam. As a campaign partner, Save the Children contributed to raising awareness, strengthening digital skills, and empowering children to protect themselves online, while continuing to work with partners to build a safe, inclusive, and trustworthy digital space for all children.

“Even when my shop was still very small, I wanted it to mean more than just a place to sell candles. Peace isn’t something to keep for yourself, it grows when it is shared”...

On January 13th 2026, the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, in collaboration with Save the Children, the Gia Lai Red Cross, and local authorities, launched a cash assistance programme to support families with children affected by Storm No. 13 and recent floods.

In December 2025, Save the Children organized a series of interactive climate and disaster risk communication activities for children in Tam Giang, Ca Mau as part of the “My Forest Child” project, contributing to nurturing a generation that is more resilient and proactive in the face of climate change.

In late 2025, more than 5,000 students from 150 classes in Lao Cai expressed their inner worlds through vibrant posters in the “Nurturing Positive Emotions” competition, initiated by the core student groups supported by Save the Children. 

Floods in Thailand and Vietnam have damaged more than 900 schools across both countries, leaving children out of classes

Save the Children press release on floods in Vietnam that have killed at least 27 children

As children in Vietnam prepare to head back to school, many face safety risks due to damaged infrastructure after floods. Save the Children.

A new ‘Girls Unstoppable’ programme has its sights on freeing up girls from chores and care work and getting them into girls clubs.