​2021 was a year full of challenges for Dong Nai province in particular and Vietnam in general due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has seriously affected people's lives, business activities, foreign non – governmental organizations (NGOs). However, with the consensus of the people, the joint efforts of organizations, businesses and local authorities, the Covid-19 pandemic has been controlled and repelled and people's lives have gradually stabilized. In the first 6 months of 2022, the economic and social situation in the province has shown positive signs. The economic, cultural and social activities have been implemented in the new normal state, continuing to achieve outstanding results, especially in foreign non - governmental affairs. In the first 6 months of 2022, Dong Nai province cooperated with 8 NGOs to deploy 11 FNG aid amounts with a total commitment of more than 27.70 billion VNĐ. Compared to the same period in 2021, the number of new projects increased by 4 projects, equivalent to 100%, increased 7.6 billion VNĐ, equivalent to 110%.

Foreign NGOs and FDI enterprises receiving the recognition boards for their effective cooperation and positive contributions in Dong Nai province at the Conference on foreign non-governmental aid mobilization and promotion with the theme “Cooperation and Development of Dong Nai province” in 2022

Strengthening the mobilization and attraction of NGO aid

Recognizing the especially important role of foreign non - governmental aid at the present time, pursuant to Decision No. 1225/QĐ-TTg dated September 17, 2019 signed by the Prime Minister on promulgating the national program on strengthening cooperation and foreign non-governmental aid mobilization in the period from 2019 to 2025; Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee issued the Program on strengthening cooperation and FNG aid mobilization in Dong Nai province in the period from 2019 to 2025.

In a proactive spirit, the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations coordinated with departments and sectors to successfully organize the Conference on foreign non-governmental aid mobilization and promotion with the theme “Cooperation and Development of Dong Nai province” in 2022 with the participation of more than 30 NGOs, FDI enterprises and Trade Associations country. This is one of the Conferences of important significance in promoting the attraction of cooperation and funding from foreign diplomatic agencies in Ho Chi Minh City, foreign non - governmental organizations, FDI enterprises for Dong Nai province in the coming time. The conference’s content on cooperation needs was informed and introduced by many agencies, localities, and NGOs, and received a lot of attention and contributions of foreign NGOs and FDI enterprises at the Conference. They have donated the social security projects in Dong Nai with a commitment of nearly 3.5 billion VNĐ.

“Leaders of Dong Nai province highly appreciated and respectfully invite and welcome non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, trade associations, foreign enterprises, and FDI enterprises in the province with hearts of gold to continue cooperation with other NGO projects in Dong Nai province, thereby jointly building and cultivating solidarity and friendship between the peoples of the countries and the people of Dong Nai province.

Leaders of Dong Nai province have always offered all favorable conditions for your humanitarian projects to be successfully implemented. We are committed to provide relevant exact information to foreign NGOs and donors; continue to reform administrative procedures to create favorable conditions for foreign non-governmental organizations to cooperate; well perform the inspection and close supervision so that the funding of international friends for Dong Nai can be implemented for the right purposes and objects, and sustainable effects” – spoken by Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang - Vice Chairperson of the Provincial People's Committee at the Conference on foreign non-governmental aid mobilization and promotion.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang - Vice Chairperson of the Provincial People's Committee meeting the FNGOs and FDI enterprises at the Conference on foreign non-governmental aid mobilization and promotion.

Coordinating with NGOs to survey and implement cooperation projects in Dong Nai province

In the face of the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic situation, in order to resolve difficulties for NGOs, especially those that have plans to implement projects in the province but cannot directly survey and choose suitable locations in order to implement the project, as the focal agency, the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations, proactively contact and work with localities to conduct surveys and provide timely information for foreign NGOs; thereby, connected with NGOs to sign cooperation agreements and implement many projects in the province, including many typical projects, such as: "LS Dream School No. 18 project for the construction of 05 new classrooms at Tap Phuoc Primary School, Hamlet 05, Long Phuoc Commune, Long Thanh District" sponsored by Cooperation and Participation In Overseas NGO (COPION) and LS Group /South Korea with the budget of 1.5 billion VND, the "Educational Support project” for disadvantaged children funded by CNCF worth 1.2 billion VNĐ.

COPION conducting a survey in Dong Nai province

“COPION (Cooperation and Participation In Overseas NGO) is a Korean NGO that has been operating in Vietnam since 2017. Up to now, COPION has implemented many projects in many provinces and cities in areas of the country. We are very impressed with the officials and staff of the Union of Friendship Organizations of Dong Nai province. They always proactively and actively coordinate with COPION to timely provide information, create all favorable conditions for COPION to work as well as do survey. The projects in the province are implemented transparently, openly and introduced to the right subject. That's why COPION and the LS Group / South Korean accompanies the Dong Nai Union of Friendship Organizations to implement the LS Dream School projects.” Mr. Kim Jae Chul, Chief Representative of COPION in Vietnam said on the occasion of his working trip to Dong Nai.

The coordination mechanism in the management of NGOs' activities is one of the important tasks to implement NGO projects effectively.

In the first 6 months of 2022, agencies, departments and localities in the province have a close coordination together. Many measures to improve the effectiveness of FNG aid mobilization have been synchronously implemented by the Union of Friendship Organizations of Dong Nai Province. The coordination mechanism of departments and agencies in managing the activities of NGOs in project implementation has been concerned and effectively implemented in accordance with regulations on the use of foreign non-governmental aid in the areas of Dong Nai province, which ensures security, order and social safety in the province.

Suntory Pepsico Beverage Co., Ltd. handing over the computer room to the students of Nguyen Chi Thanh Primary School, Bien Hoa city.

It can be said that despite the impact of Covid -19 pandemic and the complicated world situation, foreign non – governmental affairs in the province in the first 6 months of 2022 continues to maintain its effective operations. FNG aid sources are consistent with the province's socio-economic development guidelines and planning. The receipt and use of aid must comply with the provisions of law. FNG funding sources has contributed to support the development of infrastructure in terms of health, culture, education and human resource training for the locality; solved a number of social problems that the state budget or other capital sources cannot fully provide, such as disease prevention, child protection and development, support for people with disabilities, poverty reduction, resource and environment protection and sustainable development promotion. In addition, foreign non – governmental affairs has contributed to supporting Dong Nai to implement more effectively the foreign policies of the Party and the State. Through the process of cooperation in implementing non-governmental programs and projects in the province, foreign organizations and the international community have better understanding about the guidelines and policies of our Party and State, thereby supporting the socio-economic development of the province, strengthening friendly and cooperative relations for mutual development.