THE SASAKAWA PEACE FOUNDATION

Exchange Program between Vietnam and Japan at the Local Level

26,000,000 yen [Self-operated Project/Commissioned/Grant Project]
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan Center for Area Development Research (Japan), the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation (VPDF/Vietnam)

As the relations between Japan and Southeast Asian countries strengthen, the tie with Vietnam where economy is growing briskly is adding to its importance. Japan-Vietnam interactions hitherto have been centered on major cities, with little attention paid to ties between local cities. Targeting at reinforced relations between two nations, this project attempts to expand the conventional scope of exchanges led by the central governments to include local non-profit sectors and municipalities with a view to contributing to creating a new bilateral relationship. More specifically, two grant projects, namely “Promoting Exchanges between Non-Governmental Organizations at Local Level of Japan and Vietnam” and “Exchange and Experience Sharing between Local Government Officials of Japan and Vietnam” will be implemented, whereby providing a platform for exchanges to local citizens’ organizations and administrators under such subjects as local autonomy and regional development. Through discussions on the platform, mutual understanding and networking on the local level will be encouraged.

<Self-operated Project>

Cooperation and Advice vis-á-vis “Exchange Program between Vietnam and Japan at the Local Level” Project
In anticipation for greater synergies between the two projects (“Promoting Exchanges between Non-Governmental Organizations at Local Level of Japan and Vietnam” and “Exchange and Experience Sharing between Local Government Officials of Japan and Vietnam”) and in order to ensure the full benefit of the program to be reaped, a part of the project execution will be commissioned to a project advisor.
Coordination of Two Projects
Aiming to execute two grant projects appropriately, the SPF handles necessary information gathering and liaison amongst parties concerned.

Promoting Exchanges between Non-Governmental Organizations at Local Level of Japan and Vietnam (Grant recipient: the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation/Vietnam)
Exchange and Experience Sharing between Local Government Officials of Japan and Vietnam (Grant recipient: Japan Center for Area Development Research/Japan)

(Second year of a 3-year project)