The People’s Committee of Dak Lak Province recently announced the implementation of the “Emission Reduction in the Central Highlands and South-Central Coastal Regions of Viet Nam” project, aimed at supporting the objectives of the National REDD+ Action Program in Dak Lak. The project, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), has a total budget of approximately USD 19.53 million (equivalent to VND 468.73 billion).
The project’s preparation phase will take place from 2024 to 2025, with full implementation expected between 2025 and 2028. The project includes three main components:
Component 1: Viet Nam's REDD+ design pillars will be refined and fully integrated into provincial institutional frameworks and policies, with an enhanced public-private-producer partnership (4P: Product-Price-Placement-Promotion) to realize REDD+ objectives.
This component includes activities that will support local authorities in formulating and institutionalizing policies for planning and implementing emission reduction efforts focused on forest loss, degradation, and restoration. It will create opportunities to improve livelihoods and raise community awareness through partnerships with private sector and local communities near forested areas.
Component 2: Emission reductions in agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) will be achieved through deforestation-free value chains based on the 4P approach and performance-based financing.
This component will include activities to support the development and promotion of deforestation-free product value chains, which will involve identifying and selecting adaptive, innovative practices to support deforestation-free supply chains. This will help to reduce the rates of deforestation and forest degradation. In doing so, it will foster sustainable and effective project activities that ensure income from agricultural production for local residents in the project area, reducing pressure to expand cultivation — the primary cause of deforestation and forest degradation.
Component 3: Project Management: This component will include activities to maintain the operational structure of the project and conduct monitoring to ensure project implementation aligns with schedules, plans, and legal requirements.
The project will be implemented in the following locations: M'Drắk District, including the communes of Krong A, Cu San, and Ea Trang; Ea Kar District, including the communes of Cu Yang, Cu Bong, Cu E'Lang, and Cu Prong; Krong Bong District, including the communes of Yang Mao, Cu Dram, and Cu Pui; and Lak District, including the communes of Bong Krang, Dak Phoi, Dak Nue, Krong No, and Nam Ka.
The goal of the project is to help the localities in Dak Lak Province reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation by addressing factors in agriculture and forestry, promoting strategic and effective investments aimed at restoring and sustainably managing forest areas. The project aims to empower target communities and institutions to improve livelihoods, reduce poverty, and enhance resilience to climate change.