Bridging the Gap ^Featured

Original project description

The northern mountain region of Sa Pa, one of the poorest regions in Vietnam, is at the same time rich in biodiversity and an acknowledged national centre of expertise in the use of traditional medicinal plants. However, over-exploitation of these medicinal species and the forests they grow in currently endangers both the medicinal species and the integrity of their ecosystems as a whole.
Local, traditional knowledge, combined with scientific testing have been used to identify the bioactive properties of some key plant species and create marketable products based on essential oils.

Bridging the Gap generates income for ethnic minority communities by developing an equitable and participatory business chain to market domestically and internationally the high-value plant-products derived from local, sustainable cultivation of traditional medicinal plants . The partnership’s comprehensive and participatory approach contributes both to biodiversity conservation and to improving the livelihoods of the ethnic minority groups which form a large part of the local population.

Main activities:
• developing high value products from traditional medicinal plant species
• using scientific analyses of bioactive properties to corroborate traditional knowledge;
• protecting the intellectual property rights of the ethnic minority groups
• building local capacity.

Current project updates

Last updated: 2 September 2009

2008 was overall a successful year despite a prolonged two-month cold spell in spring which resulted in an approximately 25% reduction in essential oil production for the year. As a result of finalizing the business plans, Bridging the Gap’s commercial partner, SPE strived to increase the number of outlets with several new locations, including shops, hotels, and spas, which have agreed to stock and sell the products. Participation in charity fairs throughout Vietnam helped to raise the profile of the initiative. SPE was invited by the UNDP Special Unit for South-South Cooperation to participate in the 2008 Global South-South Development Expo in New York. While not a winner, SPE was a finalist and was featured at the expo in December 2008.
Furthermore, recent scientific testing in New Zealand and Australia has shown that Stephania brachyandra has novel anti-cancer properties; this new activity was the subject of a patent granted in 2008. The Australian law firm Allens Arthur Robinson (AAR) and Forest Herbs Research Ltd. of New Zealand, one of the partners in ‘Bridging the Gap,’ continue to provide pro bono support.
For 2009, the initiative looks to secure further working capital and expand its natural product range to soaps and other spa products.

Growth plans description

• Expand the product range and production facility.
• Secure national legal registration and fair-trade certification.
• Increase the number of species and communities involved

Current Needs

• Exploring fair-trade certification to secure market advantages
• Capacity building/training in business management
• Contacting potential commercial partners such as exporters/importers and retailers, particularly as regards investment in an improved production facility
• Identifying national and international market opportunities for current and future products
• Identifying resources for further development of business and financial planning

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