The GREAT-supported IDAP project has achieved impressive and concrete results after one year of implementation. To mark this milestone, KisStartup—the project implementer—hosted an online event to showcase the project’s progress in promoting inclusive digital transformation across Vietnam’s Northwest region.

Key highlights after one year include:
• Over 200 businesses and organisations in Lao Cai and Son La — including ethnic minority women and people with disabilities — have strengthened their digital capacity and joined a growing, sustainable, and connected digital ecosystem
• New, locally-sourced digital service providers have been established within two provinces
• Thai Nguyen University (Lao Cai) has launched a new Digital Economics program
• Tay Bac University (Son La) has integrated digital transformation into their training and research activities

A highlight of the event was honoring 12 “digital transformation stars” for their inspiring journeys of resilience and growth. Among them, Ms. Ma Thi Luyen, owner of a food processing facility in Lao Cai, stood out for her growth from humble beginnings to becoming a “community leader” championing digital adoption among local ethnic minority women. Before the project, she lacked basic digital skills, and was unable to even use a computer. Through project training, she learned content planning, photography, editing, design, and online sales management. After the project training, she hired some of the new local support service providers, who helped her improve her skills, apply the new technology and confidently engage with customers.

IDAP continues to generate positive impacts in building an inclusive digital transformation ecosystem in Northwest Vietnam. Join us in celebrating its remarkable achievements over the past year!