The Sida Environment Fund

In response to this demand, the Sida Environment Fund (SEF) was initiated by the Swedish Embassy in Hanoi and started its operation since July 1997. SEF primarily aims at promoting local initiatives in environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources. Over eight years of implementation, SEF has supported 188 projects throughout Vietnam, covering its influence across the nation. Beyond its achievements in helping protect Vietnam’s environment and natural resources, SEF has undoubly reached a more significant goal: creating a network of local initiatives which help gather local practitioners to solve environmental problems.

To cope up with social change process in Vietnam, SEF recognizes the need to renovate its approach in supporting environmental protection and natural resource conservation. In the period of 2006 and 2007, SEF puts more focus on supporting capacity building and institutional development of civil society organizations. This approach reflects well the current trend of decentralization and more active participation of different players of the society in environmental protection and natural resource management in Vietnam

The Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation

The Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Sida, is a government agency under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Sida`s goal is to contribute to making it possible for poor people to improve their living conditions.

As other Swedish government agencies, Sida works independently within the framework laid down by the Swedish Parliament and Government. They specify the budgets, the countries with which Sweden – and thereby Sida – is to work with, and the focus of Swedish international development cooperation.

Sida is a global organisation. Its head office is in Sweden and it has field offices in some 50 countries.