Stepping up training to develop collective economy

In addition to providing knowledge of the Law on Cooperatives, relevant policies, and management skills, the training and outreach programs organized by the city's Cooperative Alliance also offer officials, members, cooperative groups, and cooperatives opportunities to discuss practical challenges and develop solutions.

Vice Chairwoman of the city's Cooperative Alliance Vy Vu Hong Thao (left) talks with farmers in Bau Ham Commune.

Through these efforts, outreach activities are gradually becoming a bridge that brings policies closer to grassroots communities while opening up practical avenues of support to help collective economic models improve their operational efficiency.

Focusing on updating knowledge

In 2018, Tran Van Khoa, representing the Sachi Plant Cooperative Group in Bau Ham Commune, began researching and experimenting with sacha inchi cultivation on a 5-hectare area. Recognizing that the crop adapted well to local conditions, Khoa and 10 farming households established a cooperative group and gradually expanded cultivation and production linkages.

According to Khoa, participating in outreach and training courses is highly beneficial for each member of the cooperative group throughout its operations. In addition to learning how to organize, manage, and operate collective economic models, members have opportunities to discuss issues arising in practice directly with specialized officials. Regulations they previously did not fully understand can be explained in greater detail, while difficulties encountered during operations can also be discussed to identify appropriate solutions.

Outreach and training activities are not limited to agriculture. The city's Cooperative Alliance has also coordinated programs for other groups, including women involved in managing cooperative groups and cooperatives.

Under the plan, during the second half of 2026, the city's Cooperative Alliance will continue working with Farmers' Unions at all levels to organize around 20 training sessions for Farmers' Union members, five sessions in coordination with the city's Women's Union for women, and about 10 sessions for members of cooperative groups and cooperatives on various aspects of the collective economy.

At a training conference on implementing the Project on Supporting Cooperatives Managed by Women and Creating Jobs for Female Workers until 2030, organized by the city's Cooperative Alliance in coordination with the city's Women's Union in Nhon Trach Ward on July 28, Nguyen Thi Hong Tham of Nhon Trach Ward and many other members were introduced to a range of practical topics.

According to Tham, during the training session, she and the other participants were provided with knowledge on strengthening management capacity for women involved in running businesses, cooperative groups, and cooperatives; applying science and technology to production and business; and building brands, promoting products, and expanding markets. Discussions on innovation and digital transformation were also aimed at helping collective economic models involving women in management better adapt to new requirements.

At another training session on the Law on Cooperatives organized by the city's Cooperative Alliance in Tan Tien Commune on August 13, Tran Ba Hai, Vice Chairman of the Tan Tien Commune Farmers' Union, said the outreach and training programs were highly practical for union officials and farmer members, cooperative groups, and cooperatives. Through direct discussions, residents not only gained a better understanding of new regulations but also learned more about cooperative groups and cooperatives, as well as the benefits of joining such organizations. According to Hai, the continued support of the city's Cooperative Alliance through stronger training and grassroots connections will provide farmers, cooperative groups, and cooperatives with more information, knowledge, and opportunities to access support resources suited to their actual needs.

Outreach goes hand in hand with connections and support

According to Vy Vu Hong Thao, Vice Chairwoman of the city's Cooperative Alliance, the alliance has recently stepped up outreach and training activities in communes, including Bau Ham, Tan Tien, and Phu Hoa, targeting various groups such as farmers' union members, women, members of cooperative groups and cooperatives, union officials, and socio-political organizations.

Outreach content has been tailored more closely to practical needs, ranging from provisions of the Law on Cooperatives and conditions for establishing, organizing, and operating cooperative groups and cooperatives to support policies on credit, human resource training, and digital transformation. Notably, training content is gradually being designed to better suit specific target groups. As a result, outreach goes beyond simply disseminating policies and increasingly focuses on equipping production and business households, as well as members of collective economic organizations, with skills they can apply in practice.

According to Thao, one of the key benefits of these outreach activities is that officials from the city's Cooperative Alliance can meet residents directly. This enables them to answer questions and help address difficulties faced by local people. "Outreach is not merely about helping producers and businesses understand regulations. More importantly, it helps them understand the benefits of participating in the collective economy, from linking production, strengthening competitiveness, and expanding markets to sharing resources and jointly creating value," Thao emphasized.

Thao said that in the second half of 2026, the city's Cooperative Alliance will continue to strengthen its grassroots engagement, identifying closer connections with localities as a key priority. Outreach activities will be integrated with consultation and support. Meanwhile, content and implementation methods will be adjusted to suit each locality and target group so that discussions are more in-depth, needs-based, and effective.

In particular, the alliance will strengthen coordination with departments, sectors, local authorities, and relevant organizations to establish a more practical support network for members of the collective economy. Looking toward 2027, outreach efforts will continue to be renewed under the approach of "outreach combined with connections, and support linked to benefits." Priorities will include encouraging residents to participate in the collective economy, establishing cooperative groups and cooperatives linked to value chains, providing consultation, and protecting members' legitimate rights and interests. Greater efforts will also be made to connect resources to help cooperatives strengthen management capacity, apply science and technology, and expand their markets.

By To Tam – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho