Launching Species Conservation Fund in Viet Nam

Posted on 5 June 2022

The USAID Biodiversity Conservation Activity has launched a $1.4 million Species Conservation Fund (SCF) in Viet Nam, to support locally led conservation efforts initiated by Vietnamese NGOs and other independent organisations.

Ha Noi, Sunday, June 05, 2022.

Today’s launch coincides with World Environment Day and its theme: “Only One Earth” which highlights the importance of conserving biodiversity, including species, across the world. It is especially relevant to the SCF which aims to support conservation of myriad species of wildlife that are only found in Viet Nam.

SCF is a part of the $38 million USAID Biodiversity Conservation Activity and aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation in Viet Nam especially through local organisations. Specifically, the SCF will support local NGOs and research organisations to conduct activities that contribute to conserving priority species of wildlife in the field. The SCF will provide awards from $20,000 to $50,000 for projects up to 1.5 years in duration.

“Environmental sustainability is key to sustainable economic growth, and Viet Nam is an important partner of the U.S. Government on global biodiversity conservation. The SCF is a wonderful initiative that will support action at the grassroots level to conserve wildlife, forests, and biodiversity for the future” said Ms. Ann Marie Yastishock, USAID Viet Nam Mission Director.

Viet Nam is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries but decades of illegal logging, hunting, wildlife trade, and conversion of forests to agricultural lands and infrastructure development, has led to staggering losses of natural forest and wildlife, with many species on the edge of extinction. Many of these species are endemic and some are iconic such as Saola, Annamites striped rabbit, and several species of turtle. The SCF will place a particular focus on supporting conservation and research efforts to ensure endemic and endangered species of wildlife are protected.

USAID Biodiversity Conservation Activity is among the largest joint efforts between the U.S. and Viet Nam Governments on biodiversity conservation. The project is implemented by WWF in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2021 to 2026. The project aims to maintain and increase forest quality and protect and stabilize wildlife populations, and support local livelihoods in high conservation value provinces.

“USAID Biodiversity Conservation project sites include 21 special use and protection forests. We expect that the proposals for SCF will be connected with project activities to increase effectiveness, and will strengthen participation of local organisations in conservation”, said Mr. Vu Van Hung, Deputy Director of the Management Board of Forest Projects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

SCF will start accepting applications from June 2022. It is expected that SCF will strengthen the engagement and coordination among local organisations in species conservation efforts, which is vital to mobilize indigenous knowledge and information on conservation for better evaluation and conservation of wildlife species, as well as strengthening the capacity of local conservation organisations in Viet Nam.

To prepare and submit applications please visit: Link
For more information on USAID Biodiversity Conservation, please visit: Link
For further information, please contact:

SCF Team, USAID Biodiversity Conservation Activity Project
WWF-Viet Nam, Ha Noi Office
No 6 Lane 18, Nguyen Co Thach, Nam Tu Liem, Ha Noi
Email SCF focal point: toai.nguyenvan@wwf.org.vn
Tel: +84 24 37193049; Fax: +84 243 7193048

A Red-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus) family