Media and CSOs in Viet Nam collaborate to strengthen EUDR readiness

On 14 August 2026, freelance journalists and representatives from Viet Nam’s major national outlets – The Leader, Tia Sang and ERC – got in touch with technical experts who can facilitate fact checking and verification of news and reporting on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

This was a key outcome of a roundtable for media and CSOs on the EUDR organized by RECOFTC under the Forest Governance Media Initiative (FGMI) in Hanoi. Along with the media persons, the event brought together representatives from 13 civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations. Participants included members of research institutions, representatives from multiple United Nations agencies, the Forest Inventory and Planning Institute (FIPI), RECOFTC and the national EUDR focal point from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

As a forum for sharing and deliberation, the event helped participants examine differing interpretations of EUDR requirements, and work through establishing a consistent, evidence-based understanding of it. For any upcoming reporting on sustainable livelihoods, rubber production, land tenure and data systems compliant to the EUDR, the journalists now have links to expert sources who can provide verification.

To support accurate journalism and the prevention of misinformation, the discussions also examined structural challenges within Viet Nam’s timber, coffee and rubber sectors. Key topics included supply-chain traceability, geospatial data, smallholder compliance, land legality and data-sharing mechanisms.

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Nguyen Chien Cuong is community forestry partnership coordinator at RECOFTC Viet Nam. 

The Forest Governance Media Initiative (FGMI) is a RECOFTC–Internews initiative supporting stronger media reporting on forest governance in Indonesia and Viet Nam, funded by UK International Development through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).