LocationsAccelerating the Emergence of an Impact Innovation Ecosystem to Tackle Plastic in Viet Nam
January 13, 2025
“Recycled Air Conditioners from Plastic Bottles” project in the final round of EPPIC at Tay Bac University, June 2024
“Through the activities of EPPIC, we received technical support to develop projects for the community, especially in ethnic minority areas. The knowledge of innovative tools and methods has further helped our students present their ideas more fluently and with stronger foundations on the circular economy,” shared a lecturer from the Faculty of Agriculture & Forestry at Tay Bac University.
22 initiatives from 10 intermediaries and 4 universities’ innovation hubs/clubs were attending the Final Showcase Event In Ho Chi Minh City - July 2024
The Final Showcase of the Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge (EPPIC) and the Better Impact TOT (BIT) initiatives, sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam, and organized by the Fulbright Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) took place in July 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City. This event marked a significant milestone in the five-month journey of students, university teachers, professors, and entrepreneurs, highlighting their joint and unwavering efforts to build a social impact ecosystem and contribute to reducing plastic pollution through the scale-up of grassroots innovations.
University students, staff and lecturers participated in the offline training on plastic pollution-related innovations in Da Nang, Son La, Quy Nhon and Nha Trang cities
EPPIC supported researchers, lecturers, and students from innovation clubs and centres, involving 120 people, from the University of Da Nang, Nha Trang University, Quy Nhon University and Tay Bac University. The program aimed to enhance the technical capacity of innovation hubs/clubs of provincial universities in designing and implementing plastic pollution-related innovation programmes. As such, capacity-building activities were designed with a multi-dimensional approach, mainstreaming actionable tools in problem-solving, focusing on three main themes, all applied to addressing local plastic pollution challenges: Circular economy with a focus on plastics and waste management; Social innovation processes and tools; Designing and implementing innovation challenges.
The winner, Green Show’s team, introducing their project which uses natural materials to create plant pots, baskets, and other items for cafes and offices (Quy Nhon University)
The project cultivated an innovation mindset for critical stakeholders at each university through hands-on training courses delivered by the Fulbright Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. This practical training resulted in commendable impacts, with 84-86% of participants reporting having gained new knowledge about innovation and plastic circularity. Between March and July 2024, over 100 initiatives from 400 students were sourced, of which 28 projects were mentored and incubated, with 8 of them carefully selected to make their entrance into the Final Showcase.
The projects presented demonstrated students' understanding of plastic reduction solutions and a growing appetite for developing innovative practices.
The project of BIOPLAS team, which focuses on researching and developing ballpen barrels made from coconut fiber, won the Second Prize (University of Da Nang).
By participating in the tailored training offered by EPPIC, university innovation hubs and clubs enhanced their capacity, built their expertise, and expanded their networks for partnership opportunities in innovation support and acceleration to tackle the plastic crisis in local areas. For instance, the teams were invited to attend the launch of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), newly established in Quy Nhon City, which motivated local students to participate in local circular economy projects.
“I gained new knowledge about innovation and plastic circularity. The most impressive learning for me throughout the training was that innovation could start from the smallest things, not necessarily on a big scale,” shared a student from the Faculty of Natural Science at Quy Nhon University (Quy Nhon City).
The final round of EPPIC at Quy Nhon University – 5 July 2024
While the EPPIC project, funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) and implemented in Viet Nam and ASEAN since 2019, addresses plastic pollution through the promotion of innovative solutions, it doesn't stop there; indeed, this programme its also helps bridge the capacity gap of local communities and shed light on entrepreneurship opportunities for students. Looking ahead, UNDP will continue to create pathways for addressing plastic pollution in local communities through innovation, encompassing educational programs and competitions, to drive the transition towards a circular economy for plastic in Viet Nam.
Watch the video recap of the Final Showcase: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICEsODsEG78
Watch the journey of the young innovators here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtbadNkzYjk
About The Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge (EPPIC)
The EPPIC, funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), is an ASEAN-wide competition calling for all innovators to share their bright ideas for tackling plastic pollution with the world. EPPIC is a competition that sourced innovative ideas for tackling local plastic challenges to contribute make circularity for plastics a reality across the entire region. The project brings together citizens, local governments, and the private sector to identify pressing issues and collaborate in implementing practical solutions, in six countries - including Viet Nam, Thailand, Indonesia, The Philippines, Lao PDR and Cambodia.
More information about EPPIC: http://plasticchallenge.undp.org.vn/
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