VIETNAM – LOCAL CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Vietnam’s policy to improve social and economic development is managed at the provincial and lower levels of government. For local governments to successfully address social, economic and environmental issues, the national government needs to support various stakeholders at all levels of government. 

The Local Capacity Development (LCD) program in Vietnam aims to engage local governments, the private sector and organizations to enhance linkages with the national government on local priority issues. By doing so, it seeks to promote transparent and effective policymaking and implementation, as well as better delivery of services to citizens, particularly marginalized or underrepresented groups. 

The five-year technical assistance program is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Creative Associates International. Interventions will focus on four provinces and cities in Vietnam — Vinh Phuc, Thua Thien–Hue, Can Tho and Dong Thap. Based on the results of the Stakeholder Strategic Review during the program’s second year, USAID may add a fifth province.  

The program aims to improve the skills of personnel at 17 subnational/national governments, 48 local organizations and 32 private sector entities. It also seeks to improve stakeholder engagement, system analysis, continuous learning and adaptation on local issues among the 48 organizations and 32 private sector entities. 

Building on evidence-based approaches, the program aims to meaningfully engage stakeholders in provincial governance using innovative, problem-driven, and collective impact solutions.