GREAT, a 10-year flagship initiative of Australian Government, managed by Cowater International since 2016, focuses on women’s economic empowerment in Vietnam’s ethnically diverse north-west region. Utilising a market systems development approach, it primarily benefits women in Son La and Lao Cai provinces, particularly targeting ethnic minority communities, which are home to twelve and twenty-six ethnic groups respectively.

The objectives of the GREAT Program are:

• Objective 1: Women, particularly ethnic minority women living in Son La and Lao Cai provinces have improved economic benefits.
• Objective 2: Women, particularly ethnic minority women living in Son La and Lao Cai provinces, have increased confidence and social status, including more balanced workloads and greater decision making within the home, workplace, and community.
• Objective 3: Women, particularly ethnic minority women and household members living in Son La and Lao Cai provinces benefit from more gender responsive, inclusive, and effective provincial and national policies, plans, strategies, and programs.

The GREAT program – in the form of 25 Partnership Agreements (projects) – has partnered with 23 partners including lead partners and technical assistance partners from private sector, governmental agencies, research agencies, training institutions, local and international NGOs and multilateral organizations to deliver results.