EverGreen – A Green Initiative to Elevate Indigenous Luffa and Inspire New Vitality for the Mekong Delta

Champion of Changemaker Challenge 2026, representing Vietnam at the Food System Innovation 2026 Grand Final in the Netherlands

STARS Water Center – Tra Vinh University is proud to accompany EverGreen, a green initiative developed by students of Tra Vinh University with the goal of enhancing the value of local agricultural products, promoting healthy consumption, and contributing to sustainable development for communities in the Mekong Delta.

With its solution to develop a product ecosystem from indigenous luffa, EverGreen was named the Champion of Changemaker Challenge 2026. This achievement has enabled the team to become Vietnam’s representative at the Food System Innovation 2026 Grand Final, where they will compete with 30 teams from different countries around the world at Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands, in September 2026.

From indigenous luffa to challenges in nutrition, environment, and rural livelihoods

In many rural areas of the Mekong Delta, indigenous luffa is a familiar crop that is easy to grow, low-cost, and well suited to local conditions. However, the value of luffa has not yet been fully utilized; most of it is still used mainly as an ordinary food ingredient, with relatively low economic value and limited development of value-added products.

In addition, current consumption habits show a growing tendency to use dietary supplements, while daily meals may still lack sufficient vitamins, fiber, and micronutrients from natural food sources. From this reality, EverGreen recognizes the potential of indigenous luffa as a green, healthy source material with strong community value.

From a livelihood perspective, many farming households still depend on selling raw agricultural products with unstable incomes. When luffa has not yet been branded or developed into diverse products, growers find it difficult to receive value that matches the true potential of this crop.

EverGreen’s solution: Developing a product ecosystem from indigenous luffa

EverGreen places indigenous luffa at the center of its solution. From luffa, the team develops various product directions, including luffa gummies, luffa syrup, and products made from luffa fiber, with two key highlights being the luffa fiber filter core and the mobile luffa garden.

EverGreen’s approach goes beyond creating new products. It aims to build a green value chain — from cultivation, harvesting, and processing to the utilization of agricultural by-products, community education, and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles.

Luffa fiber filter core – Utilizing natural materials for environmental solutions

One of EverGreen’s key directions is the research and development of a filter core made from luffa fiber. Luffa fiber is a natural material with a porous, lightweight fibrous structure. It is biodegradable and has potential for application in environmentally friendly products.

Instead of viewing luffa fiber as a low-value by-product, EverGreen explores this material as a potential component in filtration solutions. This direction contributes to the utilization of local agricultural resources, reduces agricultural by-product waste, and opens up the possibility of partially replacing non-biodegradable materials in everyday life.

For STARS Water Center, the luffa fiber filter core is particularly meaningful because it is connected to the fields of water, natural filter materials, and environmentally friendly treatment solutions. It is also a demonstration of circular economy thinking: making use of locally available materials to develop green, accessible, and community-oriented solutions.

Mobile luffa garden – A green learning and experiential space

In addition to the luffa fiber filter core, EverGreen also develops the mobile luffa garden model as a solution for education and community communication. This model helps bring green agriculture closer to students and local communities through visual, hands-on experiences.

Through the mobile luffa garden, learners can observe the growth process of luffa plants, explore the plant life cycle, learn how both luffa fruits and luffa fiber can be utilized, and better understand the connections between agriculture, nutrition, the environment, and the circular economy.

For schools, the mobile luffa garden can become a “green classroom”, supporting STEM education, environmental education, and hands-on skill development for students.

Luffa gummies and luffa syrup – Promoting healthy consumption from local agricultural products

In addition to its two key highlights in environment and education, EverGreen also develops products such as luffa gummies and luffa syrup to explore the nutritional value and processing potential of luffa fruit.

These products aim to bring indigenous agricultural products into daily life in a fresh and more accessible way for consumers, especially young people. Instead of using luffa only as a vegetable in meals, EverGreen seeks to develop more appealing product formats, helping encourage the consumption of natural and healthy foods.

The value EverGreen brings to the community

EverGreen’s solution brings practical value across health, livelihood, environmental, and educational dimensions.

In terms of health, the project encourages consumers to pay greater attention to natural, local, and accessible food sources. Instead of relying too heavily on supplements, EverGreen aims to raise awareness of nutrition from everyday foods.

Economically, the project helps create additional livelihood opportunities for farmers by developing luffa-growing areas and increasing the value of post-harvest products. Instead of selling raw agricultural products at low value, local people can participate in a new value chain involving processed products, green products, and experiential products.

Environmentally, the development of luffa fiber filter cores and products made from natural materials helps promote circular economy thinking, utilize agricultural by-products, and reduce dependence on non-biodegradable materials.

In terms of education and community engagement, the mobile luffa garden creates opportunities for students and local people to approach concepts such as sustainable agriculture, bio-based materials, green consumption, and environmental protection through visual, accessible, and hands-on activities.

Innovation from Tra Vinh University students

EverGreen’s success at Changemaker Challenge 2026 demonstrates the capacity of Tra Vinh University students to identify local issues and develop practical, application-oriented solutions. The team’s participation as Vietnam’s representative at the Food System Innovation 2026 Grand Final in the Netherlands is also an opportunity for the story of indigenous agricultural products, bio-based materials, and green solutions from the Mekong Delta to reach the international community.

STARS accompanies young green initiatives

As an accompanying unit, STARS Water Center – Tra Vinh University continues to create opportunities for students to learn through real-world experiences, develop applied research thinking, and shape solutions that bring value to the community.

STARS’ support for EverGreen reflects the Center’s direction in nurturing youth-led initiatives related to water, the environment, agriculture, livelihoods, and climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta. In particular, the development of the luffa fiber filter core and the mobile luffa garden clearly shows the connection between student innovation and the areas of interest of STARS: natural materials, environmental education, circular economy, and green solutions for communities.