Ha Noi, 25 June 2025 – The Final Pitching and Award Ceremony of the Plastics Innovation Programme (PIP) took place today in Ha Noi, celebrating ten outstanding initiatives offering innovative, scalable solutions to combat plastic pollution throughout Viet Nam.

Launched in February 2025, the programme attracted 116 proposals nationwide. Following a rigorous selection process, 25 shortlisted teams received targeted incubation support to refine their solutions. After the Final Pitching, the top ten winners will continue their acceleration phase to pilot, implement and scale up their initiatives within 9 months before showcasing solutions in 2026. Today, six winners were awarded grants of up to USD 30,000 each, while four runners-up received up to USD 10,000.

Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Sub-Fund and the Coca-Cola Foundation, the programme reflects a shared commitment to end plastic pollution and prevent plastic waste from entering rivers and oceans.

“This is not just a competition,” said Vice Minister Lê Công Thành. “It is a launchpad for innovation, a catalyst for green business models, and a practical step toward realizing Viet Nam’s policies on circular economy and marine plastic reduction.”

The awarded innovations span six priority areas: alternative materials, product design, business models, technology, governance systems, and financing instruments. The programme placed strong emphasis on inclusion, with over 90% of selected teams involving women, more than 40% led by youth, and nearly half from SMEs, research institutions, NGOs, and community-based organizations.

Six teams secured top honours, each receiving up to USD 30,000 in funding: Viet Nam Food JSC, Nopa Design, VNU University of Science Ha Noi, Aquila Technology Viet Nam LLC, Building up Sustainability, and the Centre for Environmental Safety Response. Four additional teams — CeL, Phu Quoc Sạch & Xanh, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, and Viet Nam Material Architectural and Building JSC — were awarded USD 10,000 each as runners-up.

“These are not just statistics — they reflect the strength of Viet Nam’s innovation ecosystem. A dynamic community is rising to confront one of the most urgent challenges of our time: plastic pollution. Today’s finalists are not just pitching projects. They are offering solutions and hope for a more resilient, more sustainable Viet Nam”, said UNDP Resident Representative Ramla Khalidi to praise the spirit and diversity of the programme.

She also highlighted UNDP’s long-term commitment to inclusive innovation: “We must lift up youth, women, and local innovators. UNDP is committed to supporting inclusive innovation with targeted mentoring, funding, and capacity-building to unleash grassroots leadership.”

The Plastics Innovation Programme is designed and implemented building on the successes of the Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge (2021) and the ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge (2024). Streamlined through the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) platform, the Programme directly supports Viet Nam’s national strategies, including Decree 57 on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, and reinforces the nation’s drive toward a circular economy.

By promoting innovative business models, improved waste sorting, collection and recycling, exploring smarter financing tools and governance mechanism, the programme seeks to reduce plastic leakage, protect marine ecosystems, and advance sustainable development across Viet Nam.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
UNDP Viet Nam
Phan Huong Giang, Media and Communication Analyst, Climate change, Energy and Environment
Email: phan.huong.giang@undp.org