Mekong Institute at Can Tho University is calling for applications for the “2026 Green Skills Accelerator (GSA): Fast-tracking Young People into Climate Entrepreneurship” under the framework of "Climate Skills – Seeds for Transition" programme (referred to as Climate Skills). This program is conducted in collaboration with the British Council in Viet Nam and is partnered with University of Southampton and RMIT University Viet Nam. We seek applicants with expertise and interest in the challenges posed by climate change, sustainable development, green entrepreneurship, and circular economy in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta region.

Introduction to Mekong Institute

Mekong Institute, Can Tho University, Viet Nam, was established on July 14, 2025, pursuant to Resolution 57 of the Can Tho University Council. The Institute serves as an interdisciplinary research and engagement hub that promotes sustainable development and resilience across deltaic and river basin regions.

Guided by the vision of LEAD (Learning, Engagement, Advancement, Development), the Mekong Institute delivers its mission through the RISE approach (Research, Integrate, Support, Engage) and fulfils its mandate via the REACH framework (Refine, Educate, Advance, Connect, Harness).

The Mekong Institute aspires to become a leading regional and international centre for interdisciplinary research, knowledge exchange, and practical engagement, contributing to long-term sustainability and resilience in the Mekong Delta and beyond. To achieve this, the Institute focuses on:

  • Serving as a focal point for interdisciplinary research and engagement on sustainable development and resilience in delta and river basin regions. 
  • Advancing collaborative initiatives that integrate research, innovation, and capacity-building across sectors and stakeholders.
  • Supporting communities, practitioners, and decision-makers through strategic knowledge, training, and applied solutions.
  • Promoting partnerships and exchanges among scientists, youth, local communities, government agencies, and international organizations to strengthen regional resilience and sustainable futures.

Introduction to Climate Skills programme

Viet Nam is a highly vulnerable country to the impacts of global environmental challenges such as air pollution, rising sea levels, plastic waste, and others. At the same time, significant efforts are currently being made to address and mitigate these issues in pursuit of a greener economy. In the British Council’s recent Next Generation research report, young people in Viet Nam aged 16–30 identified clean water and sanitation, clean energy, environmental action planning, and adequate living conditions as their top priorities.

The Climate Skills – Seeds for Transition programme provides a platform that equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and capacities needed to understand, mitigate, and adapt to climate change, empowering them to contribute to a greener and more inclusive transition. Developed through the long-standing collaboration between the British Council and HSBC, the programme supports youth skills development with a strong focus on education and sustainability. Implemented across six countries – the United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Viet Nam – the programme aims to empower young people, including those experiencing marginalisation, to take an active role in climate action and the transition towards sustainable energy systems. Its overarching goal is to establish a Green Talent Network, connecting youth equipped with globally relevant green skills.

In Viet Nam, the programme focuses on young people aged 18–35 from vulnerable or low-income communities in the Mekong Delta, providing training, resources, and opportunities for climate entrepreneurship, advocacy, and cross-sectoral collaboration. Through a combination of capacity-building, youth-led initiatives, and long-term partnerships, Climate Skills fosters youth employability, strengthens community resilience, and advances sustainable development at local, regional, and global levels.

Climate Skills programme objectives 

The general objective of the project is to build a network of youth equipped with the knowledge, skills, and ambition to address climate change issues in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) region and the broader area in general. Specific purposes include:

  • To empower the youth network to strengthen its leadership and capacity to influence climate change adaptation efforts and community resilience in the VMD.
  • To develop spaces for knowledge-sharing, community-based engagement, and meaningful “competence exchange” among youth networks and practitioners across the region.
  • To amplify the voice of young people and expand capacity-building opportunities, including the engagement of institutional lecturers and local stakeholders in policy advocacy for climate change adaptation, with a strong emphasis on gender equality and social inclusion.
  • To provide vulnerable youth with practical green skills and entrepreneurship pathways, enabling them to participate effectively in the transition towards sustainable and circular economies.
  • To support youth-led climate initiatives through training, mentorship, and collaborative innovation, fostering long-term partnerships between communities, academia, employers, and development actors.
  • To strengthen regional and global connections among young leaders, education institutions, grassroots organisations, and policymakers in order to promote inclusive climate action and sustainable development in the Mekong Delta.

Scope and Programme Activities for Selected Candidates

The Mekong Institute is pleased to work with female young people, particularly youth leaders, practitioners, and early-career researchers who have strong expertise and interest in addressing climate challenges in the Mekong Delta region. The Institute looks forward to collaborating with motivated applicants who are committed to contributing to youth development and climate resilience in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta.

In partnership with the British Council in Viet Nam, the University of Southampton, RMIT University Viet Nam and with support from a team of academic and professional experts, Mekong Institute will coordinate a series of activities to establish and strengthen a youth network connecting two regions: the Vietnamese Mekong Delta and Southampton, United Kingdom, during the period from March to October 2026. Key activities include:

  • Participating in three online training phases, including an initial Community of Practice (CoP) session, a module on Circular Economy and Green Sustainability Entrepreneurship, and a two-day capacity-building training focused on stakeholder engagement, green career readiness, leadership, action planning, and sustained collaboration.
  • Up to twelve selected applicants will take part in two intensive on-site training programmes: a carbon literacy and community engagement training course in Southampton, United Kingdom (May 2026), followed by a Vietnam-based training in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta (June - July 2026), where participants will translate the insights gained in Southampton into practical, locally grounded solutions for green entrepreneurship and sustainable development. Details on funding coverage and support resources are provided in the section on benefits for selected participants.
  • Participation in one follow-up networking dialogue session, where participants will present key lessons learned and outcomes from the programme activities, as well as discuss next-step plans to ensure the long-term sustainability and continued impact of the programme.

Further details on the programme activities are available at the following link: Click here for provisional agenda

Benefits for Selected Candidates

Selected applicants participating in the programme will be entitled to the following benefits:

  • Full funding support: Fully-funded grants will be provided to cover participation in all programme activities. Any additional personal expenses incurred will not be covered under any circumstances.
  • Certificate of participation: Participants who complete all phases of the programme will receive an official certificate issued by the organising institution.
  • Mentorship and expert support: Opportunities to be accompanied and supported by a network of experts, researchers, and youth leaders with outstanding climate initiatives in both Viet Nam and the United Kingdom.
  • Cultural exchange experience in Southampton, UK: Participants will have the chance to learn, connect, and engage in cultural exchange with young people in Southampton and partners of the Mekong Institute, Can Tho University.
  • Access to UK-trained expertise: Participants will benefit from specialised knowledge shared by UK-trained professionals in key fields such as water resource management, agriculture, energy, carbon literacy, and gender equality.
  • Future engagement opportunities: Participants may also be invited to join and collaborate in other relevant programmes, initiatives, and projects implemented by the Mekong Institute.

Requirements for Candidates

Number of Selected Applicants: A maximum of twelve (12) applicants will be selected.

Eligibility Criteria

The programme invites applications from candidates who meet the following requirements:

  • Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
  • Applicants are female researchers, postgraduate students, business, government and policy workers from the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, in disciplines related to climate change, natural resource and environmental management, green entrepreneurship, circular economy, social sciences or related fields. Applicants with overseas education experience will be considered an advantage.
  • Applicants must demonstrate strong English proficiency (Advanced level or above) and hold an English language certificate equivalent to IELTS 5.5 or higher.
  • Applicants should demonstrate strong motivation, relevant expertise, and at least 1.5 years of working experience (equivalent to approximately 2,100 hours), which may include part-time work, volunteering, internships, field placements, or full-time employment related to climate change and sustainable development.
  • Applicants should have experience in implementing projects or delivering training programmes for young people.
  • Applicants must be able to commit fully to the programme timeline and participate in all required activities as directed by the Programme Lead and Coordinator.
  • Applicants must be willing to comply with the Child Protection Policy and the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Policy of the Climate Skills programme (training will be provided upon selection).

Application Documents:

Interested candidates are kindly invited to submit their application via the official Google Form:
https://forms.gle/wbpeyrsXn716JeBS7

Applicants are required to prepare and upload the following supporting documents:

  • A Curriculum Vitae (CV) of no more than two (2) A4 pages.
  • A Motivation Letter (maximum two (2) A4 pages) outlining the applicant’s interest, motivation, and proposed engagement plan.
  • A Letter of Recommendation (optional but encouraged)
  • Relevant diplomas, certificates, and academic transcripts.

Application deadline: Applications must be submitted by 25 February 2026.

The evaluation results will be communicated via email within seven (07) working days after the application period closes.

* Contact Information:

For further information or additional enquiries, applicants are kindly invited to contact the programme team:

* Applicants who meet the interview requirements will be contacted directly to arrange an online short interview with the Organizing team.