Established at the end of 2009 under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, Center for Environmental and Community Studies ( CECR in abbreviated name ) brings together scientists and staff with enthusiasm to practice implementing community-based environmental protection activities to support environmental quality improvement and socio-economic development for Vietnam.

At CECR, they believe that the solutions to current environmental problems mainly need to be done locally. These solutions must be built by enthusiastic people and participated in solving. That will lead to a change in the attitudes and behavior of communities and individuals in protecting the environment in  a positive way.

CECR's vision:  Vietnam's surface water sources (rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, canals, ditches, wetlands, coastal waters) are not polluted.

CECR's mission : Promote the participation of organizations, businesses, communities and people in the protection and sustainable management of surface water through (1) Capacity Building (2) Research and Advocacy Policy (3) Information provision and knowledge transfer on controlling water pollution sources (4) Building a model of community participation in protecting surface water sources in localities.