🌿 The Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s key agricultural economic region, well known as the country’s rice bowl, a major aquaculture hub, and a vital supplier of food for both domestic consumption and export. With its extensive river system, favorable natural conditions, and long-standing production foundation, the region holds significant potential for diverse development. Amid climate change and shifting resource dynamics, the Mekong Delta is proactively transforming its production models, fostering innovation, and strengthening regional linkages. These efforts are creating new opportunities for sustainable, adaptive, and higher-value economic growth in the future.
Technology and innovation are opening up practical opportunities to address local challenges. In particular, youth—with their creativity, technological aptitude, and proactive spirit—have the potential to become pioneering forces in developing innovative solutions, contributing to sustainable development in the Mekong Delta.
✨ INSPIRE Mekong – Innovation for Sustainability Program to Ignite Resilience & Empowerment is designed as a dynamic learning and innovation journey. The program empowers Mekong Delta youth with knowledge and skills in AI, STEM, innovation, and sustainable solution development, while connecting young talents with experts, businesses, and the broader innovation ecosystem.
👉 Explore INSPIRE Mekong 2026 and learn how to apply at: https://youthunited.msdvietnam.org/inspiremekong2026
📌 Follow our fanpage for updates on the selection process and upcoming INSPIRE Mekong activities!
#MSDUWV #CCK #MiTek #CTU #INSPIREMekong #SOAR #SocialOpenInnovation
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The INSPIRE Mekong project is implemented by MSD United Way Vietnam and the Mekong Institute, Can Tho University, with funding from the Community Chest of Korea (CCK) and MiTek Vietnam. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of youth in the Mekong Delta—particularly university and college students—in accessing and applying science, technology, and innovation (with a focus on AI and STEM) to identify and propose solutions to local challenges related to sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation. It also contributes to enhancing students’ career readiness and strengthening connections within the innovation ecosystem.
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LIVE UNITED – CREATING TRENDS, LEADING CHANGES
💚 Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD) - United Way Vietnam
🌐 https://msdvietnam.org/
📧 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
📞 (+84) 096 431 2488
💚 Mekong Institute, Can Tho University
🌐 https://mekong.ctu.edu.vn/ | https://www.facebook.com/VienMekongDHCT
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📞 (+84) 292 3730 448
📘 Project fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/InspireMekong
🎯 Who is this program for?
INSPIRE Mekong is looking for 200 students aged 18–25 who are currently studying at universities or colleges in the Mekong Delta and are eager to apply technology to address local sustainable development challenges.
The program especially encourages applications from young people who:
🔹 Come from disadvantaged backgrounds or rural areas
🔹 Are interested in AI, STEM, and issues related to environment, agriculture, and climate
🔹 Are committed to fully participating in all program activities
⭐ Priority will be given to:
- Female students
- Ethnic minority youth
- Youth with disabilities
- First-generation college/university students
- Students majoring in agriculture, technology, engineering, or environmental studies
🧩 What does the INSPIRE Mekong journey offer?
By joining the program, you will embark on an innovation journey through multiple stages:
🚀 Orientation & Training: Gain foundational knowledge in AI, Robotics, sustainable business model development, and the SDGs.
💡 Ideation & Teamwork: Students will form teams and propose technology-driven solutions to address challenges in the Mekong Delta.
🤝 Mentorship: Teams will receive guidance from technology experts, businesses, and university lecturers to refine their ideas and develop prototypes.
⚡ Hackathon & Demo Day: Teams will participate in a 3-day hackathon to finalize their solutions, followed by pitching their products to a panel of experts, investors, and partners.
🌱 Incubation & Career Opportunities: Promising ideas will be supported for piloting and incubation, while students will also be connected with companies and job opportunities in the region.
🌟 INSPIRE Mekong believes that when young people are equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and opportunities, they can become innovators contributing to a sustainable and climate-resilient Mekong Delta.
📢 Join INSPIRE Mekong to turn ideas into solutions—and transform the challenges of the Mekong region into drivers of innovation.
🧩 05 CHALLENGE AREAS OF INSPIRE MEKONG
Participating teams in INSPIRE Mekong will develop ideas and technology-driven solutions to address real-world challenges in agriculture and the environment in the Mekong Delta:
🌱 Reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers: Apply technology to optimize production while minimizing negative environmental impacts.
🌿 Promoting organic and sustainable agriculture: Develop solutions that support the transition to eco-friendly and sustainable farming models.
📊 Crop yield forecasting: Use data and AI to help farmers predict yields and optimize production planning.
🦠 Early detection of crop diseases: Build tools that support early identification and warning of agricultural pests and diseases.
🤖 Smart farming support tools (Farm Assistant): Develop AI-powered solutions/applications to help farmers make more effective production decisions.
💡 From real challenges in the Mekong region, INSPIRE Mekong aims to inspire innovative solutions developed by local youth themselves.