Asia’s First AOLC Graduates in Hanoi: 27 New Leaders for Agroecology and Organic Agriculture in Vietnam
After a six-month learning journey, the first Agroecology and Organic Leadership Course (AOLC) in Asia came to a close in Hanoi on 30 September 2026. The 27 graduates celebrated their achievements and presented their plans for more sustainable, fair and resilient food systems in Vietnam.
The AOLC Vietnam was jointly organized by the Vietnam Organic Agriculture Association (VOAA), Naturland Vietnam and IFOAM – Organics International, as part of the Agroecology Promotion Programme (APP) supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) via sequa GmbH. The course started on 7 May 2026. The 27 participants were selected from almost 70 applications from across the country. They came from businesses, government agencies, farmers’ organisations and nongovernmental organisations, and brought a wide range of experience in production, markets and community development.
Over the course of six months, participants took part in two face-to-face sessions, four webinars and six assignments. At the center of the course was each participant’s Development Plan (DP), with the aim of implementing transformational changes at the level of the food system.
The closing ceremony welcomed Dr. Ha Phuc Mich, President of VOAA; Nguyen Ba Nam, representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment; Patricia Flores, Senior Manager – Global Academy, IFOAM – Organics International; and Le Ngoc Mai Trang, representative of Naturland. Local trainers Tu Thi Tuyet Nhung and Dr. Pham Thanh Hai were also present.
From Vision to Action: The Development Plans
On 28 and 29 September, all 27 participants presented their DPs through poster sessions. Each plan was reviewed by peers and experts based on three core leadership pillars:
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Systems-Level Thinking: Show how the plan connects local actions to the wider food system.
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Transformative Impact: How the plan addresses the root causes of challenges to create long-term change.
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Collaborative Leadership: How the leader builds collective action, shared learning and inclusion in their community.
Trainers, experts and their peers also gave practical feedback to help turn good ideas into plans that work. Key advice included: define the target group clearly, set indicators to measure results, plan resources, link to markets, and prepare a way to continue after initial funding ends.
Outstanding Development Plans
Following the peer and expert review, four plans stood out for their design and potential impact.
An organic forest garden model with on-site processing of traditional Vietnamese pickled apricots. The plan aims to add value to organic produce, restore ecosystems and improve livelihoods for Mường ethnic women, as a model that can be replicated in Vietnam.
A pilot model to strengthen the “trust infrastructure” for organic food in urban areas, by connecting producers and consumers directly through transparency and real experience.
Developing the raw material area and value chain of organic chrysanthemum tea, linked to the livelihoods of ethnic minority communities in the Da Bac reservoir area, Phu Tho province.
Empowering students to take part in improving school meals, nutrition and food waste reduction by applying the principles of Agroecology and Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) as a governance tool.
Voices from the Field
Before the course, I thought change had to start with something big. Now I understand that change can start with small steps in how we think and act every day. I will keep working on my plan and stay connected with my trainers and classmates.
AOLC Vietnam graduate
The course required a lot of focus. Some days I worked on my assignments late into the night. This journey helped me build my ability to lead change and contribute to better food and nutrition in schools.
AOLC Vietnam graduate
I have experienced a real change in the way I think about organic, leadership and my own role in contributing to the organic movement. I have learned to look at organic agriculture from a broader perspective, to think more systematically and approach my work with greater purpose and responsibility. For me, AOLC has been much more than a course. It has been a meaningful journey of personal growth.
AOLC Vietnam graduate
Quotes were translated from English to Vietnamese.
Vietnam’s Place in the Organic Movement
The graduation marks an important step in the long partnership between VOAA, IFOAM – Organics International and the Ministry of Agriculture, which began with a cooperation agreement in 2017. It also comes as VOAA prepares to celebrate its 15th anniversary in October 2026.
A New Chapter for Organic Leadership in Asia
The formal training in Hanoi has ended, but the work of these 27 change agents is only beginning. As the first AOLC cohort in Asia, they now join a growing network of leaders across Africa and Asia committed to agroecology and the Principles of Organic Agriculture. Graduates also expressed a strong wish to keep the group connected as an alumni network, to share experience and support each other’s plans in the years ahead.