Expansion of Employment Opportunities for Young Women

Providing greater opportunities for young rural women to earn a good living

This three-year project has been financed by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Australia since February 2007. Its first phase assisted 84 villages in Kandal, Kompong Speu, Preah Vihear and Siem Reap Provinces. To date, 1,485 young women have received vocational skills training, literacy programmes, and access to micro loans and markets.

The second phase, “Young Women Entrepreneurship Development”, also financed by CAF Australia, will run from March 2010 until February 2013. Battambang and Oddar Meanchey Provinces have been added, to the total benefit of 2,096 individuals, all belonging to 134 rural young women business groups.

Kouy Entrepreneur Development (Funded by ILO)

Helping indigenous Kuoy people improve their livelihoods, by providing more choices to gain a decent living

This project addresses the specific needs and concerns of the Kuoy minority in Preah Vihear Province. Financed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) for 12 months, selected young women and men receive vocational skills training and market support. It has been piloted in six villages, to both socially and economically empower 95 rural young women and men. Although it is expected to end by December 2010, it is likely to be repeated on behalf of the same partner in another year.

Farmer Market Development Model

FLD expects that by 15 December 2010 4, 834 individual households will have benefited from this project

The Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) project was introduced in 49 villages in Prey Veng and Svay Rieng Provinces in August 2008. Financed by CARE International, the first phase concluded in June 2009 and showed that it mobilised community savings. It uses a community share market approach that allows every villager or farmer the choice of participating. With FLD staff assistance, 60 VSLA groups with 1,042 participants were formed. They provided convenient access to start up capital for income-generating activity.

A second phase was approved by CARE in October 2009; strengthening support to Self-Help Group capacity building and helping farm produce reach premium markets. The FMDM project increases income security for members of community based organisations in 94 Prey Veng and Svay Rieng villages. It promotes livelihood skills, market opportunities and expands local employment opportunities.

Village Market Network

Working with the Kuoy people to establish ‘wild-life friendly’ farming principles that boost agricultural incomes

Kuoy people from 9 Preah Vihear villages have improved their returns from rice and other farm products through this Village Market Network (VMN) project. Since October 2007, with financial support from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), FLD has established the Village Market Network and provided villagers with capacity building and small business management training.

The project gains higher product prices within the principles of sustainable land-use and conservation agreements. It assists 656 men and 656 women in entire villages and will continue until October 2010.

Civil Society and Pro-Poor Market Support

Ensuring that the farmers’ voice is heard and respected in commune council planning processes

The approach is similar to that adopted by FLD in Preah Vihear. With Catholic Relief Service (CRS) funding, it began in March 2008, to conclude in October 2010. It assists eight communes in Kompong Speu Province to build capacity in 32 community based organisations. The subjects include: institutional development, raising voice, natural resource management, and pro-poor market development. A total of 3,406 (1927 female) are benefiting from the project.

Public dialogue on Farmer Market Development

A first for Cambodia: ‘Farmer Opportunity’ 22 live radio programmes for farmers, officials and business people

Financed by the Asia Foundation this studio discussion and talkback series will benefit a wide audience in Siem Reap, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Preah Vihear, Kandal, and Kompong Speu. FLD works in these provinces and the target audience are those same beneficiaries. However, farmers and many others, including provincial government officials, within the entire, large coverage area will also benefit.