Turning agroecology learning networks into actionable knowledge

At the ASSET Project review workshop on the morning of October 22, the Southeast Asian Agroecology Learning Alliance (ALiSEA) and representatives of organizations receiving the ALiSEA Small Grant Facility (SGF) announced their results and future directions following the implementation phase.

According to Nguyen Thi Trang, ALiSEA Viet Nam National Secretary, the network is entering a phase of capacity consolidation and finalizing a new governance model based on being "member-led, co-operated, and co-benefited." More than 200 organizations, research institutes, universities, and cooperatives from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam are currently participating in this network.

"ALiSEA was established to meet the need for knowledge sharing and to create a safe, open learning space for all parties. After nearly a decade, the most important achievement is that the network has helped link local initiatives with the region's sustainable development map," Ms. Trang said.

In the 2025-2028 period, ALiSEA Viet Nam will operate under a new structure comprising a National Members' Council, which serves as the strategic decision-making body, and an Operations Group responsible for coordinating daily activities. The new term's Council includes four representatives from research, agricultural extension, business, and community organizations, reflecting the diversity of the agroecological system.

Since 2024, ALiSEA has produced hundreds of knowledge products, from newsletters, manuals, and videos to learning materials compiled by its own members. Skills training courses on podcast production and mobile-phone storytelling in Son La and Dong Thap have helped farmers and project staff from member organizations confidently share their ecological models through their own stories.

"Knowledge only truly comes alive when it is retold by those who practice it," Ms. Trang shared, emphasizing the goal of making farmers and cooperatives the center of learning activities.

While ALiSEA's communication and capacity-building activities create a foundation for knowledge sharing, the Small Grant Facility (SGF) program, a tool within the ASSET Project funded by the EU and AFD, is the next step in putting that knowledge into practical action.

Dang To Kien, a representative for SGF recipient organizations in Viet Nam, reported that after two years of implementation (2022–2023), the program has proven effective in strengthening capacity and promoting innovation at the local level. The total budget for Viet Nam reached 96,000 euros, equivalent to 15,000-20,000 euros per grant.

The two calls for projects attracted participation from numerous research institutes, NGOs, and training institutions. The selection council included representatives from international organizations such as CIRAD (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development), CARES (Center for Agricultural Ecology, Academy of Agriculture), the Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, and the Center for Agrarian Systems Research and Development.

"We call these 'small seeds' because they help test and demonstrate the value of agroecological practices in each locality," Ms. Kien said.

Among the five funded projects are outstanding models such as the restoration of indigenous knowledge and upland farming ecosystems (Central Highlands), the development of ecological vegetable value chains and inclusive business models (Tuyen Quang), the treatment of coffee by-products and wastewater to reduce emissions in Son La, and trials of climate adaptation practices like tray seedlings, organic mulching, and no-till farming.

These projects have had a tangible impact on 146 hectares of cultivated land and nearly 4,000 beneficiaries, including over 2,200 women. A women-led initiative on biodiversity monitoring and safe chemical use reached more than 3,200 people, helping to build community monitoring capacity.

According to Ms. Kien, the connection between farmers, scientists, and extension workers created the core value: the co-creation of knowledge. "When people are empowered and have the tools to experiment, scientific knowledge will truly take root in daily life," she emphasized.

However, the implementation process also revealed limitations: Many project teams lacked skills in proposal writing, monitoring, and reporting, and some localities faced difficulties due to administrative procedures or natural disasters. Ms. Kien recommended offering training courses in Vietnamese, adding resources for monitoring and evaluation, and allowing for more flexible financial adjustments.

A representative from the ASSET Coordination Board assessed that the Small Grant Facility mechanism has helped form a grassroots innovation network, generating 14 knowledge products, including reports, policy briefs, and best-practice videos. These provide evidence to inform national policymaking on agroecology and food system transformation.