The meeting of the Steering Committee of GREAT 2 Son La project (photo: VOV)

The second phase the “GREAT” project continues to successes the first phase, focusing on agriculture and tourism to raise income and improve the decision-making ability of ethnic minority women, and further enhance their economic empowerment.

In Phase 2 running through 2027, the project will integrate more activities in tourism development in 12 districts and cities in Son La province. The total investment for this period is 9.8 million USD, which include 9.3 million USD of non-refundable ODA capital from the Australian government and the rest is counter capital from Son La province’s budget.

Cherie Anne Russell, Counselor for Development Cooperation of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and also Co-Head of “GREAT 2” Project Steering Committee in Son La province (far right) and other participants (photo: VOV)

Cherie Anne Russell, Counselor for Development Cooperation of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and also Co-Head of “GREAT 2” Project Steering Committee in Son La province, said: “In phase 2 we're more deliberate. We've learned a lot from phase 1. In phase 1 we had COVID which really disrupted the tourism sector here in Son La. We're working particularly with the tourism sector to make them more integrated, to make destination management plan, so that they can work with other suppliers.”

Mrs. Russell added: “It's not just about an individual homestay, it's about how the community plans to respond, how they're competing with each other, how they're marketing, how they're joining together to offer additional services.”

“GREAT” is a technical assistance project with the overall goal of improving the empowerment, socio-economic position, and adaptability of ethnic women in Son La and Lao Cai province.

“GREAT 2” is expected to benefit more than 15,000 women in Son La province, 70% of whom are ethnic minority women, by improving their access to market information, agricultural extension, input materials, finance, and credit.