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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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.