A project to improve capacity to cope with climate change in the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve, in the northern provinces of Nam Dinh, Thai Binh and Ninh Binh, was launched in Giao Thuy district in Nam Dinh province on August 5.

Supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the project will be carried out by Stockholm University , the Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) and Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve Management Committee, from now until September 30, 2013.

The project will focus on improving knowledge on dealing with climate change, managing resources in coastal areas, developing environmentally friendly means of subsistence, building networks, media campaigns and policies on resource management and climate change.

Especially, the project will also pay attention to coordinating with Swedish experts to build an eco-system risk evaluation framework, host training courses on evaluating risks, implement six campaigns to improve awareness for 3,000 – 4,000 people in the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve, offer technical consultancy and host seminars on resource management linked with climate change.

Stockholm University will also assist Vietnam to conduct intensive post-graduate research in the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve and host three courses for Vietnamese postgraduates to study in Sweden .

Nguyen Thu Hue, Director of MCD Vietnam said that, once finished, the project will bring benefits to 400 women of poor households, 2,500 locals living on maritime ecosystems in Giao Xuan district, 175 members of community groups, authority officials, policy planning agencies, social organisations and research institutes working in the field of managing maritime resources and coping with climate change./.