Project Launch: “Advancing Budget Credibility, Accountability and Participation in the Education Sector in Viet Nam” Copy

On 10 January 2026, the Center for Development and Integration (CDI), in collaboration with the Asia–Pacific Economic Center (VAPEC) and the Vietnam Association for Education for All (VAEFA), organized the launch event of the project “Advancing Budget Credibility, Accountability and Participation in the Education Sector in Viet Nam” funded by the European Union (EU).

The event introduced the project’s overall objectives, key components and approaches, while providing a platform for stakeholders to exchange and discuss gaps between policy and practice in the management, allocation and use of education budgets. Participants also shared practical experiences, identified emerging needs, and put forward recommendations for the next phase of implementation.

The event brought together representatives from central and local education authorities, educational institutions, social organizations, experts and research institutes

The event brought together representatives from central and local education authorities, educational institutions, social organizations, experts and research institutes. It also served as an opportunity to strengthen connections, promote coordination, and lay the groundwork for active engagement and collaboration among stakeholders throughout the project’s implementation.

On the same afternoon, a thematic discussion titled “Budget for Inclusive Education: Policies and Practices” was held, underscoring the principle: “Nothing about us without us”. The session featured active contributions from participants with disabilities and representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities, including a Disability Inclusion Officer from UNDP, the Steering Committee for the establishment of the Vietnam Association of the Deaf, representatives from inclusive education institutions in Hanoi, as well as sign language interpreters, helping to ensure inclusiveness and accessibility throughout the event.

The discussion focused on: (i) the policy framework on inclusive education for persons with disabilities in Viet Nam; (ii) experiences in implementing policies to support inclusive education at the local level, with sharing from representatives of the Dien Bien Department of Education and Training, the Dien Bien Inclusive Education Support Center, and the People’s Committee of Cua Viet Commune, Quang Tri Province; and (iii) discussions on solutions to enhance the effectiveness of budgeting for inclusive education, including good practices such as participatory budget monitoring and citizen budget reports.

The discussion provided an open and constructive space for exchange, better reflecting the needs and lived experiences of persons with disabilities, while contributing practical recommendations to enhance the effectiveness, equity and sustainability of budgeting for inclusive education in the time ahead.