Coca-Cola’s EKOCENTER: The fruits of the “golden triangle” model benefit local communities

Guided by the “Golden triangle” model of business, government, and civil society working together, EKOCENTER is a model example of how this initiative can benefit communities to create a better standard of living. Within its first two years in operation, Coca-Cola’s EKOCENTER has received the advocacy of local government as well as co-operation from prestigious partners like Sacombank, S3pos, the Women’s Union, the Red Cross, Microsoft, Dell, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD), and the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM).

This success strongly demonstrates the growth and development of this programme, as well as the effectiveness of the trilateral relationship model in Vietnam. Coca-Cola has been working closely with local governments and civil society to bring EKOCENTERs to communities across the country. Vamsi Mohan, CEO of Coca-Cola Vietnam, said that “EKOCENTER has become a notable success story for the ‘Golden Triangle’ model of businesses, government, and civil society working in unison. Through the belief and great support from government and social partners, we will continue to contribute towards this success. We are working with total dedication to bring EKOCENTER closer to communities across the nation.”

As a flagship community programme from Coca-Cola, EKOCENTER showcases the company’s sustainability priorities: water, women, and well-being. Free purified water systems providing 6,000 litres per day help address the demand for safe drinking water in the localities that need it most. Also, utility services such as free wifi, sports areas, community buildings equipped with computers, a library, workshops, soft skill training courses, free health check-ups and medical support improve the quality of life and promote healthy lifestyles among local residents in disadvantaged areas. More importantly, at EKOCENTER, women also have a chance to raise their social status and economic stability through operating their own businesses out of kiosks in the area.

Undoubtedly, close co-operation via the “golden triangle” relationship and sustainable development provides the values necessary to creating a better life in communities. EKOCENTER adopts a humanity-based outlook whereby each partner is an indispensable piece of the success puzzle. Here, nothing is impossible, affecting positive change is the ultimate goal, and all parties agree that in order to go far we must go together.