Green Youth labs: Training program for innovation and a socially equitable energy transition (GreenYOU)

State of implementation/results

• Project completed.
• In 09/2022 the Youth Innovation Challenge was launched for the first cohort of 155 young participants. A jury comprised of energy experts, youth networks, and media personnel diligently evaluated the projects and selected 10 outstanding ideas for implementation between 2022 and 2023 among over 50 initiatives.
• The 2022 Youth Innovation Challenge awardees represent diverse initiatives from 7 provinces and cities across Vietnam. Ranging from technical and research endeavours to awareness-raising campaigns, each of the 10 pilot models produced noticeable results, from a captivating poetry contest and e-book to workshops that engaged youth and communities and the installation of solar panels and solar light.
• The second cohort of the 2023 basic training on energy transition successfully educated 150 young participants, with 87.9% reporting increased knowledge about energy transition and solutions in Vietnam, and 33 individuals sharing positive sentiments on social media. The diversity of participants improved, with 27.3% originating from Central Vietnam, a notable increase from the previous year's representation of just 10%.
• The second cohort of the 2023 basic training on energy transition also showcased improved inclusivity, featuring representatives from various underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, LGBTQ communities, and individuals with disabilities, among others.
• Following the basic training, the Youth Innovation Challenge 2023 received a total of 91 initiatives from across the country, marking a substantial increase compared to the 50 ideas received in the previous year.
• In recognition of their excellence, the Youth Innovation Challenge 2023 awarded and provided mentoring to 10 youth groups, encompassing a diverse range of fields, including 2 groups focused on Research and Development (R&D) on energy-related topics, 3 educational campaigns, 4 creative communications campaigns, and one community project.
• The Green Youth Labs has been invited to share insights on energy transition in Vietnam and the youth's contributions during the upcoming visit of Minister President Stephan Weil on 10/2023 in Hanoi, presenting a great opportunity to showcase youth initiatives and advocate for bilateral dialogue to promote just transition.
• A communication strategy has been developed to reach as many potential participants as possible, especially those in underserved communities. A Facebook page for Green Youth Labs has been launched in December 2021 as the main communication channel of the project alongside with a project website hosted under FES Vietnam’s Homepage. A logo contest, numerous mini games, discussions in a closed Facebook group, as well as news posts about energy issues belong to the communication activities, which aim not only to attract attention but to maintain close communication with the participants, help them stay focused and motivated throughout the project.
• Recruitment of the first cohort for basic training on energy transition has attracted the interest of youth nationwide: 155 participants from 23 provinces were selected from 240 applications. 70% participants were female; 60% come from the North, 10% from the Centre, 30% from the South of the country.
• The basic trainings were organized in May and June 2022 in a hybrid format. Over the course of ten webinars participants were equipped with basic knowledge about climate change, energy and the energy transition. Also included were three in-person field trips with the contribution from 11 guest speakers from academia, media, NGOs, and think tanks.
• About 86 % of the participants found the training helpful in increasing their knowledge about energy transition and possible approaches in Vietnam. 39 participants promoted the training in social media. Three universities posted the introduction about the training programme on their websites.

Latest Update:
03/2025