Agroecology and Organic Leadership Course - Vietnam
The Agroecology Promotion Programme (APP) Capacity Building intervention line presents the Agroecology and Organic Leadership Course, a transformative learning journey designed to empower current and future leaders in the field of agroecology. This course, supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), aims to strengthen leadership, policy influence, and market and business development to foster inclusive, sustainable, and resilient food systems.
Through a dynamic and participatory approach, the course will deepen participants' understanding of agroecological principles and practices while enhancing their leadership, communication, and facilitation skills. By engaging with global and local experts and organisations, innovative tools, and local experiences, participants will build and strengthen knowledge and strategies to promote agroecological transitions in their communities, institutions, and policy spaces.
This hybrid programme builds on collaboration, diversity, and systems thinking, equipping participants to become drivers of change within the agroecology, regenerative and organic agriculture movements.
The Agroecology and Organic Leadership Course is a six-month programme that comprises in-person training elements, as well as virtual sessions as follows:
- 6-month hybrid programme
- 2 face-to-face sessions for the course kick-off and conclusion in Hanoi, Vietnam
- 6 live Zoom sessions with experts
- Online platform for interactions, recorded materials and tasks
- Individual development plans coached by experts
The course follows a transformational leadership model, designed to equip participants to become effective change agents in the transition to agroecological food systems. It is a 6-month hybrid programme, combining:
- Two face-to-face sessions (at the beginning and end of the course) in Hanoi
- Six live online sessions with experts
- A digital platform for self-paced learning, assignments, and peer exchange
- Implementation of a personal Development Plan (DP) to apply course content in participants' real-life contexts
- A strong focus on participatory learning, networking, and reflection
Key topics include agroecological transitions, sustainable food systems, territorial markets, communication and facilitation, entrepreneurial leadership, and transformative policy engagement.
The tentative course schedule is as follows:
- April 2026 - Introductory webinar
- May 2025 - First face-to-face session (5 full days) - Agroecological, regenerative, biodynamic, organic transitions and food system transformation in Hanoi
- Webinar 2 - Organic Guarantee Systems
- Webinar 3 - Communication Skills
- Webinar 4 - Business Agroecology Criteria Tool (B-ACT) / Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE)
- Webinar 5 - Advocacy
- Webinar 6 - Development Follow-up
- Second face-to-face session (3 full days: Graduation, DP presentation, Peer-to-peer evaluation) in Hanoi
This training is for changemakers: community leaders, researchers, farmers, advisors, technicians, policy-makers, government officials and any person interested in developing and strengthening new skills and knowledge in agroecology for more inclusive and sustainable food systems.
This course is only open to applicants based in Vietnam. Applicants from outside of the country will not be considered.
Ideal candidates:
- Are engaged in community work, research, advisory, or activism in agroecology
- Demonstrate commitment to participate fully in the course (including both face-to-face sessions and at least 80% of online content)
- Have support from their organisations, communities, or civil society networks
- Are ready to engage critically, reflectively, and collaboratively
- Will develop and implement a concrete Development Plan (DP)
- Show readiness to contribute to wider agroecological networks
The cohort is limited to 25 participants, with attention given to diversity in region, gender, and experience.
Participants are responsible for covering their own travel expenses. Accommodation and meals as well as course materials will be provided. No additional financial support can be granted. Participants must ensure that they have reliable internet access and appropriate technical equipment to fully engage in the online webinar sessions.
This course is only open to applicants based in Vietnam. Applicants from outside of the country will not be considered.
Application
Applications are now open until 20 April 2026. Please submit your completed form by the designated deadline. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged to ensure consideration.
If you have any questions, please send an email to academy@ifoam.bio with the heading “AOLC”.
