Improving access to financial services for women, vulnerable groups and rural and mountainous areas

The project “Promoting financial inclusion and cooperative economic development in the digital economy in Vietnam” was built with the main purpose of helping cooperatives, women, and low-income people to have easier access to financial services, focusing on digital financial products.

In the context of a rapidly growing digital economy , promoting financial inclusion and supporting the development of cooperative economies is an urgent requirement to improve access to financial services for people, especially vulnerable groups and rural and mountainous areas.

The project "Promoting financial inclusion and cooperative economic development in the digital economy in Vietnam" chaired by the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance , in coordination with The Asia Foundation (TAF), VICEM Training School and implementing partners, was built with the main purpose of helping people, especially cooperative members, low-income people, the poor and women, to have easier access to financial services, focusing on digital financial products.

Focus on training, coaching, and communication about digital transformation

The project "Promoting financial inclusion and cooperative economic development in the digital economy in Vietnam" will be implemented until the end of March 2027, deployed in the following provinces and cities: Hanoi , Ninh Binh, Quang Ninh, Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, Gia Lai, An Giang and Can Tho.

Women from small and micro enterprises, cooperatives, cooperative members, production and business households in rural, remote, isolated or disadvantaged areas of Vietnam are the priority subjects of the Project. Illustrative photo

The project aims to reach at least 150,000 participants in the training, coaching and communication program on safety and security in cyberspace, targeting customers, associations, unions and staff of the Social Policy Bank. Priority will be given to women (60%) from small and micro enterprises, cooperatives, cooperative members, and production and business households in rural, remote, isolated or disadvantaged areas of Vietnam.

Through the Project, cooperatives will be supported with technology and training, helping them improve their competitiveness, promote digital transformation and sustainable development. This will not only help the collective economic sector become stronger, but also contribute to the overall development of Vietnam's digital economy; at the same time, practically respond to the movements "The whole country competes in innovation and digital transformation" and the movement "Digital education for all".

Creating sustainable livelihoods for millions of households through a comprehensive financial "boost" in the digital age

Appreciating the significance of the Project, Ms. Cao Xuan Thu Van, President of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, affirmed that in the era of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution, supporting cooperatives and members, especially low-income people, women and vulnerable groups, to quickly and effectively access digital financial services is not only a choice, but has become an urgent aspiration. The President of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance also believes that the project will create a strong push, helping cooperatives and vulnerable people overcome challenges and seize opportunities to break through.

Delegates attending the signing ceremony of the minutes of assignment of tasks to implement the project "Promoting financial inclusion and cooperative economic development in the digital economy in Vietnam".

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai Linh, Vice President of Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, Head of the Project Steering Committee, said that Vietnam Cooperative Alliance will be responsible for connecting, updating needs, implementing training, consulting on the establishment and operation of cooperatives applying digital platforms, and creating internal communication networks within cooperatives.

The project is expected to help cooperatives grasp technology, become financially strong, improve labor productivity and expand the value chain of local products, creating sustainable livelihoods for millions of households.

To successfully implement the project, Mr. Filip Graovac, Chief Representative of the Asia Foundation in Vietnam, pledged that the Foundation will provide technical support, share lessons learned and successful models in the world to help the project achieve its goals, contributing to the inclusive and sustainable development of the Vietnamese economy. Mr. Hoang Minh Te, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP), also affirmed that the VBSP will allocate optimal resources and design favorable processes so that policy capital can reach people, cooperatives and members quickly and effectively, directly supporting production, business and technology application activities.

The project "Promoting financial inclusion and cooperative economic development in the digital economy in Vietnam" clearly defines the responsibility of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance to play a leading role in connecting and implementing capacity building activities for cooperatives. The Vietnam Bank for Social Policies commits to developing and providing training content and financial products suitable to the characteristics of customers. The role of the Asia Foundation in Vietnam is to sponsor, advise, provide technical support and share international experience on financial inclusion and digital transformation.

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Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/nang-cao-nang-luc-tiep-can-dich-vu-tai-chinh-cho-phu-nu-cac-nhom-yeu-the-va-khu-vuc-nong-thon-mien-nui-20250706175929592.htm