On July 26, 2024, Fulbright campus was full of excitement from The Final Showcase of the Better Impact TOT (BIT) and the Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge (EPPIC) – initiatives sponsored by two projects the Leveraging Vietnam’s Social Impact Business Ecosystem in response to COVID-19 (ISEE-COVID Project) and the Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge (EPPIC Project) under the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Vietnam, designed and implemented by Fulbright Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI). This marks a significant milestone in the journey of over 5 months of unwavering efforts to build a social impact ecosystem and reduce plastic pollution through innovation.
Let’s get back to the past 5 months to witness this meaningful journey of creating impactful initiatives!
Better Impact ToT (BIT): Optimizing the business model of intermediaries
BIT envisions strengthening the support network for Social Impact Businesses (SIBs). Targeting intermediaries, BIT helps them design and experiment their support for SIBs in the areas of climate change, plastic pollution, advance women empowerment, and supporting ethnic minorities. Not only does BIT’s support to intermediaires focus on developing SIB support products, services, it also includes the development of intermediaries’ business model to ensure their sustainable development.
In March and April 2024, 10 intermediaries participated in a total of 9 online training sessions organized by CEI at Fulbright University Vietnam and the UNDP in Vietnam program. The sessions covered realistic topics including (1) Impact definition and assessment, (2) Understanding customers, (3) Understanding the ecosystem, (4) Solution framework – Value, (5) Business model, (6) Experiment design.
Beyond these training sessions, CEI put high priority on individualized support through coaching and mentoring sessions with local and international experts as well as industry practitioners. Each and every inquiry and gap was quickly identified and resolved.
10 intermediaries participating in BIT
Online training sessions implemented by Fulbright Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI)
Over three months from March to June 2024, BIT successfully organized 60 coaching sessions, 60 mentoring sessions, and 6 group check-ins. CEI and UNDP are more than proud to support intermediaries to tackle challenges in identifying effective business models while fostering opportunities for networking, information exchange, and collaboration.
EPPIC: What way to go for plastic pollution?
The ENDING PLASTIC POLLUTION INNOVATION CHALLENGE (EPPIC), funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), aims to tackle plastic pollution by sourcing and incubating innovative solutions. EPPIC focuses on enhancing the professional capabilities of innovation centers in designing and implementing innovative programs on this issue.
Within 5 months from March to July 2024, EPPIC supported 4 universities including (1) Tay Bac University, (2) Da Nang University, (3) Nha Trang University, and (4) Quy Nhon University.
4 universities participating in the EPPIC
The activities were designed to focus on a multi-dimensional approach and specialized tools in problem-solving with four main themes: Circular economy and Plastic Circularity, Social innovation process, Social innovation tool, Design and implement the challenge, applied in addressing plastic pollution issues.
In four direct training sessions for over 30 staff, employees, and students at each university, engaging activities ranging from fieldwork, groupwork to presentations provided a hands-on experience helping members navigate the innovation process most intuitively.
UNDP and Fulbright University Vietnam continued to accompany the four universities after the training sessions with bi-weekly coaching and monthly group check-ins. During this process, the universities applied the trained knowledge into the Design and Implementation of innovation challenges at local areas. These challenges aimed to seek and support innovative solutions to tackle plastic pollution issues.
Offline trainings at universities
Throughout the program, over 100 initiatives from 400 students were raised. 60 projects were mentored and incubated over a month before the finale. The best 8 projects were carefully selected to make their entrance into the Final Showcase. The 5-month process of EPPIC has created a remarkable impact with 84-86% of participants gaining new knowledge about innovation and plastic circularity.
Final Showcase: Where innovative ideas amalgamate
22 fantastic initiatives from 10 participating intermediaries and innovation hubs/clubs at 4 universities have been revealed for the first time. Alongside this were distinguished guests and a series of engaging networking activities and insightful panel discussions.
Ms. Nguyen Hoai Chau, Senior Development Officer, Embassy of Canada to Viet Nam delivering opening remark
Ms. Phan Hoang Lan, Head of Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Fulbright University Vietnam, presenting the results of BIT and EPPIC
Visiting booths showcasing results of intermediaries and universities participating in BIT and EPPIC
Panel Discussion: Transitioning from a traditional ecosystem to one that promotes social impact and circular economy businesses
Awarding Certificate of Completion for participants of BIT and EPPIC Program
The vibrant atmosphere at the Final Showcase showed no signs of diminishing halfway through. Interactive activities focusing on innovation unfolded one by one. Representatives from BIT&EPPIC and attending guests applied innovation in solving real-life social issues. They also had the opportunity for networking freely with each other and discussing more about this topic. All created a diverse and memorable experience of connecting and learning.
Series of engaging networking and learning activities
About the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI)
The CEI, Fulbright University Vietnam’s first center, aims to instill the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation at the heart of the Fulbright culture and training program. CEI offers various entrepreneurship and innovation training events to Vietnam and the region for Fulbright students and other communities, including students, experts, entrepreneurs, and enterprises. CEI plans to expand its collaboration with Fulbright University Vietnam, nurturing and supporting business development to quickly discover solutions for major challenges facing Vietnam and the region.
