A group of NGOs is now working together as “Consortium for Sustainable Alternatives and Voice for Alternatives and Voice for Equitable Development” or ‘CO-SAVED’ with the ambition of promoting socio-economic development in the coastal fishing communities in four provinces of Cambodia.
With an $8 million grant from the European Union, CO-SAVED projects will be carried out in the coastal fishing communities of Kep, Kampot, Koh Kong, and Preah Sihanouk provinces.
The NGOs are spearheaded by US-based Heifer International whose worldwide mission is to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way and French-founded Aide et Action, which has its vision primarily focused on ensuring access to quality education for the most vulnerable and marginalised populations, especially children, so they can take charge of their own development.
Heifer Cambodia director Nhem Sareth said yesterday residents of coastal fishing communities were adversely affected during the Covid-19 crisis.
“We are out to make CO-SAVED communities more resilient through local economic development with emphasis on environmental protection and improving service delivery, which will contribute to reducing poverty and inequality and give the people sustainable livelihoods.
“We will hold training courses on capacity development so that the people can better their livelihoods. We will teach them the skills required for agricultural businesses, including poultry and vegetable farming,” he said yesterday.