Thai Nguyen University (TNU) has officially launched the project titled “A Digital Knowledge Ecosystem Integrated with E-Commerce to Support the Sustainable Development and Consumption of OCOP Products” in Lao Cai Province, following the approval of non-refundable aid by the Ministry of Education and Training under Decision No. 406/QĐ-BGDĐT dated February 13, 2026.
The project is led by TNU, with direct implementation by the TNU- Lao Cai Campus, and funded under the Women-led Green Partnership (PWG) Initiative Support Project. The PWG Initiative, managed by Oxfam in Vietnam, is one of two components of the broader Women-led Green Partnership Programme funded by the European Union.
Implemented from February to October 2026 in the communes of Sin Cheng, Muong Hum, and Hanh Phuc (Lao Cai Province), the project aims to enhance capacity and promote the economic empowerment of women, particularly ethnic minority women. This will be achieved through the development of an integrated digital ecosystem combining online training, e-commerce, and gender-based violence alert mechanisms.
Based on assessments of existing challenges—such as limited digital skills, restricted access to technology, and constrained market participation among women in mountainous areas—the project focuses on developing a user-friendly digital platform. This platform enables users to both learn and engage in business activities via a dedicated e-commerce marketplace for OCOP products. Additionally, the ecosystem integrates features for community connection, reporting gender-related issues, and supporting the prevention of domestic violence, thereby contributing to comprehensive and inclusive development.
The overarching goal of the project is to promote sustainable livelihoods and strengthen women’s roles in the digital economy through an integrated model of “learning – doing – connecting – marketing.” Expected outcomes include: Enhanced awareness and digital transformation capacity among women; the establishment and effective operation of a scalable digital ecosystem; support for OCOP products led by women to access digital platforms and markets; and strengthened linkages among stakeholders.
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Photo. The project “A Digital Knowledge Ecosystem Integrated with E-Commerce to Support the Sustainable Development and Consumption of OCOP Products” is implemented by Thai Nguyen University in Lao Cai Province.
Participating partners in the project include the Lao Cai New Rural Development Coordination Office, the Center for Family Health and Community Development, and the Women’s Unions of Sin Cheng, Muong Hum, and Hanh Phuc communes.
The implementation of the project demonstrates effective collaboration among higher education institutions, local authorities, and social organizations and enterprises in promoting gender equality, advancing green economic development, and raising community awareness. The project is expected to generate a strong ripple effect, helping to unlock local potential and affirm the central role of ethnic minority women in the digital economic development of Lao Cai Province.
