Connection & Community

Why does community matter for green SMEs?

SMEs are often isolated on their transformation journey: limited resources, information that is hard to verify, and few opportunities to learn hands-on from peers of a similar size. A strong community helps SMEs shorten the learning curve, share costs, and develop a collective voice when engaging with regulators and international markets.

According to research from the ILO and VCCI, businesses that join an industry network have a 34% higher survival rate after five years than those operating alone. As the green transition demands a great deal of new knowledge capital, connection is not an option — it is essential infrastructure.

GROW's three formats for connection

Regular Forums: Quarterly forums in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, with content built around timely themes — ESG, green credit, exports, the circular economy — featuring both domestic and international experts.

Sector Circles: Eight in-depth industry groups (textiles, food, mechanical engineering, logistics, trade, tourism, agriculture and technology) meet monthly to share best practices and solve common challenges.

1:1 Business Matching: The GROW team proactively connects SMEs with the right partners — green suppliers, international buyers, subject-matter advisors and investors. Every member business receives a minimum of six matching sessions per year.

The results our community has delivered

By the end of 2025, GROW's connection activities had generated more than 1,200 new partnerships, 140 commercial contracts, and nearly VND 2.4 trillion in capital disbursed through cross-referrals. Notably, 38 member businesses secured their first export customer through the community network.