Background

There are more than 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises and about 25,000 household businesses in Nam Dinh Province. Many of the very small ones are operating in rural and remote areas. Women play an essential role. But before 2002, there was no such thing as a women’s business group. There were only the City Private Enterprise Association and similar bodies in rural areas. Some woman entrepreneurs had been active in these business associations, but there was nothing specifically for this growing force in the community.

The first women’s business group in Nam Dinh was established in 2002 as a district ‘club’ in Xuan Truong. Then, with the support of the Dutch Government and the Women’s Union, three more district associations were established. They all then united into a provincial body called the Nam Dinh Women’s Business Club in 2006. It is there for businesswomen of every economic sector in Nam Dinh Province. The Club aims at gathering and attracting women entrepreneurs, creating a forum to exchange, share and learn while protecting the rights and interests of members.

But the Club is still an informal institution and most of their activities are still closely linked with the Women’s Union. Yet with the support of the International Labor Organization-Japan program, the Club has expanded at the grassroots level and has covered a wider geographical scope.

Member services

In addition to offering credit programs, the Nam Dinh Women’s Business Club consults with women entrepreneurs and represents their interests at government agencies on planning issues and policy. They also organize training courses on business administration for women-owned SMEs free-of-charge, and bring members together for sustainable development. This has been a showpiece for the success of the group.

The club also encourages social responsibility with charity programs and development initiatives and in this way increases its influence and reputation with other public and civil society organizations. Members participate in regular meetings to discuss and contribute ideas often holding forums to learn about business administration from other markets as well.

Turning points

Linking for mutual benefit

Though the Club is still relatively new, it has developed a wide network of member clubs in all 10 districts of Nam Dinh Province. It is the only such organization. Most member clubs are run effectively and are closely linked. Member enterprises work in ‘symbiosis’ for greater efficiency and mutual benefit. For instance, a bran mill in the organization sells its byproducts to a poultry farm for food at preferential prices.

The club is also very strong in rural areas where businesswomen face serious difficulties in transportation, market information, market access and business skills. The group has, in fact, reached a point where government and non-government organizations rely on them for implementation in some cases.

In larger affairs, members of the Club have also joined the Asian Regional Program for Expansion of Employment Opportunities for Women-Vietnam Chapter, organized by ILO Japan, and have collaborated with the Swiss Development Corporation (SDC) - Nam Dinh Urban Development project offering trainings in entrepreneurship.

Lessons learned

• The success of the club, as mentioned earlier, is greatly owing to the support of donor projects through various training programs. The local leadership of the club has been able to make good use of this support to establish a solid network of smaller clubs at lower levels.
• The club also benefits from working with the Women’s Union for political support and resources. And in terms of organizational structure, the organization’s smaller ‘modules’ help woman-owned SMEs participate more actively in a less intimidating environment.

• Still, like most other associations, the Club has to answer the question of financial sustainability. Current support from the Women’s Union and donor projects assures operating finds for now, but members also need a new means of generating revenues.