MISSION ALLIANCE IN VIETNAM
Mission Alliance, an international organisation founded in Norway in 1901, is committed to supporting vulnerable and marginalised communities. We work to promote dignity, inclusion, and opportunities for people to improve their lives, while addressing inequality and social injustice. Mission Alliance collaborates closely with local communities, partners, and civil society organisations, recognising their vital roles in creating sustainable and positive changes.
Mission Alliance began its work in Vietnam in 1972 and resumed operations in 1996 with the implementation of a health and leprosy project. Since then, our engagement has evolved in response to the country’s current needs and development priorities.
Today, our work focuses on adaptation of climate change, economic empowerment, and inclusion of people with disabilities. Across all programmes, we prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups, those often excluded from social services, and economic opportunities.
Mission Alliance operates from our office in Ho Chi Minh City and implements programmes across three provinces in the Mekong Delta: Dong Thap, Can Tho, and Vinh Long.
OUR VISION
Mission Alliance envisions a just and sustainable world where everyone, regardless of background or circumstances, has equal value and opportunities. This vision calls us to action, inspiring us to be agents of positive change and to create a world that reflects the ideals of Heaven.
OUR MISSION
Empowering people to shape their own future
Every human being deserves the opportunity and freedom to realize their full potential. Our mission is to enhance individuals’ abilities to make empowered life choices. In order to reach our mission – we fight poverty and promote justice.
We fight poverty
Poverty is marked by the lack of fundamental human needs, including income, resources, and access to public and private services. Our work focuses on helping individuals and communities build better lives, enhance resilience, and protect lives and livelihoods.
We promote justice
We advocate for the rights of the marginalised and amplify the voices of those affected by poverty and injustice. Committed to lasting solutions, we combat the inequalities that trap people in poverty and injustice, striving for systemic change.
OUR VALUES
Present
We are close to those we serve with empathy, compassion, and a genuine desire to make a difference
Competent
For us, competence means being skilled, knowledgeable, and effective in all that we do, ensuring we deliver quality and reliable outcomes.
Brave
To us, bravery means boldly confronting injustice, advocating for the marginalised, and challenging the status quo. We will be courageous and innovative, seeking robust solutions to the challenges we see.
OUR FOCUS
To achieve our mission, our program efforts will focus on three key thematic areas. These focal points will guide our investments, priorities, and skills development.
Economic Inclusion
We aim to empower individuals and businesses to cultivate sustainable livelihoods and dignified work.
Strong Civil Society
We aim for a safe and effective civic space for individual and collective initiative for development.
Protection
We aim to see individuals and communities free from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Cross-cutting issues
Gender equality/ Disability Inclusion/ Climate and Environment.
OUR WAYS OF WORKING
Promoting strong local ownership
We believe local communities are essential for driving sustainable change. Local partners and actors are deeply rooted in their communities, possessing invaluable knowledge, legitimacy, access, and roles. We will foster resilience and agency at the grassroots level by empowering individuals and communities to act toward a positive future.
Building alliances
Recognising the power of partnerships in driving change, we forge alliances with a diverse range of stakeholders, encompassing local partners, churches, like-minded NGOs, the private sector, government bodies, and our supporters in Norway. We will persist in building alliances that amplify impact, foster collaboration internally and externally, and bring supporters closer to our work.
Future-oriented and innovative
We maintain a future-oriented perspective in our approach, embracing digital transformation. We are committed to adapting to changing contexts, seizing new opportunities, and innovating for greater impact.
OUR AMBITIONS
Boosted capacity
Our overall goal is to achieve growth through diversified funding, expanded partnerships, co-creation of programming, and increased flexibility.
Higher quality
Our overarching goal is advancing effective solutions for greater impact and sustainable change.
Better together
Under the banner of “Better Together,” our goal is to foster a unified global organisation.
WHAT WE DO IN VIETNAM
Climate Change
Mission Alliance aims to strengthen community resilience through effective community-based risk management by raising awareness and promoting practices related to climate change and disaster risk reduction (CC-DRR) at the commune level. This includes enhancing practical skills in community vulnerability assessments, supporting CC-DRR planning, improving rescue capacities, and encouraging collective actions for climate adaptation and mitigation. We also promote collective actions for natural and environmental protection, waste management and water reserve by increasing awareness and good practices within women’s networks and strengthening the leadership capacity of women. In addition, we support more inclusive, green and safer schools by raising awareness and encouraging actions on CC-DRR, gender equality, and inclusion among students and teachers, while improving school accessibility and facilities.
Economic Empowerment
Mission Alliance aims to diversify and strengthen sustainable income opportunities for local communities through integrated livelihood interventions. These include promoting climate-smart agriculture and husbandry, supporting women’s entrepreneurship with business skills and market access, and improving access to revolving loans and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA). Collective economic initiatives such as production groups, value chain development, and community-based ecotourism are also encouraged to enhance local economic resilience. At the same time, we promote the gender, economic, and environmental empowerment of women and girls by positioning them as key actors in these interventions.
Inclusion of people with disabilities
Mission Alliance strengthens support for children and adolescents with disabilities through an integrated approach promoting early intervention, inclusive education, and life skills development. Children aged 0–6 receive early intervention services through resource centres and preschools, while parents, caregivers, teachers, and education managers are trained to support their development and facilitate smooth transitions to mainstream education. Teachers are equipped with inclusive teaching approaches, schools are made more accessible, and learning spaces are created to support children’s academic and social development. In addition, children and adolescents with disabilities receive life skills training to build confidence and resilience, while schools and communities promote disability rights and protection to foster safer and more inclusive environments.
Read more about our work with:
Climate Change
Inclusion of people with disabilities
Microfinance and job creation