Twenty-two Vietnamese young social entrepreneurs attended a three-day virtual workshop under framework of YSE Regional | Hanoi. — Photo SIF

 HÀ NỘI — The Singapore International Foundation’s (SIF) signature Young Social Entrepreneurs (YSE) Regional programme made its debut in Việt Nam with a three-day virtual workshop from 26 to 28 November.

YSE Regional | Hanoi was organised in partnership with the Vietnam National University – International School (VNU-IS).

As the first collaboration between the SIF and VNU-IS, the workshop was attended by 22 Vietnamese young social entrepreneurs, representing 10 social enterprises from six cities nationwide. The workshop facilitated cross-cultural exchanges and allowed attendees to gain insights into the social enterprise landscape in Viet Nam and neighbouring regions.

The workshop was designed to empower youths in Viet Nam who aspire to take their social enterprises to the next level. With the theme “Unlock your Digital Solutions for Social Good”, it focused on innovative ideas that bridge the digital divide and leverage technology to solve social problems and uplift lives.

Participants took part in webinars, peer learning and sharing sessions, business clinics, and a panel discussion. They gained insights and advice from the mentors and speakers, who were business consultants and entrepreneurs from more than 12 organisations in Việt Nam and Singapore, including PricewaterhouseCoopers Singapore, Singapore Business Association Vietnam, and Keppel Land Vietnam

“YSE Regional has been an amazing learning experience. We appreciate the opportunity to have met like-minded friends and other social entrepreneurs. The sharing sessions by the trainers, mentors, and social entrepreneurs will help me make better decisions for my projects,” said Phạm Khánh Linh, Founder of Safe Life.

“This year, the SIF celebrates 30 years of bringing world communities together to uplift lives and effect positive change. We are proud to bring our signature YSE programme to Việt Nam and connect youths to share their passion to solve social issues through innovative business ideas. We look forward to supporting them on their journeys to build a better world,” said Jaryll Chan, SIF Division Director, Programmes.

“We are delighted to partner with the SIF to empower youths in Viet Nam through the YSE Regional programme. We see the programme as a great platform to widen their networks and gain new perspectives as they develop their social enterprises,” said Vũ Minh Quân, Deputy Secretary of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of VNU-IS.

Participants from YSE Regional | Hanoi will have the opportunity to further their YSE journey by applying for direct admission into the 2022 edition of the main international programme, YSE Global.

The YSE Global and Regional programmes have nurtured more than 1,300 changemakers of 42 nationalities and an international network of 618 social enterprises since 2010. — VNS