Phnom Penh: 29 November 2024 A joint training session, “Communication4Change,” was successfully held on November 28–29, 2024, at the General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA) in Phnom Penh. The session was part of two agricultural projects, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Environment, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The training was designed to strengthen participants’ communication skills and strategies for effectively implementing the communication-based activities of Promoting Climate Resilient Livelihoods for Rice-Based Communities in the Tonle Sap Region (PCRL) and Climate Adaptation and Resilience in Cambodia’s Coastal Fishery Dependent Communities (CamAdapt) projects. The training covered key aspects such as communication strategies, visibility, and branding, alongside practical techniques for smartphone-based photography and videography. Participants learned to capture high-quality visuals, create compelling human-interest stories, and engage stakeholders in collaborative efforts to support the projects’ promotion and implementation. The program included sessions led by media and social media professionals, panel discussions, and hands-on practical exercises.
The training welcomed 35 officers and focal points from sub-national levels, focusing on practical skills to enhance storytelling, visual communication, and stakeholder collaboration. This initiative aligns with the government’s broader efforts to develop climate-resilient agricultural and fishery systems.
The Royal Government of Cambodia remains steadfast in its commitment to reducing poverty by strengthening agriculture and fisheries—key pillars of the national economy and rural livelihoods. Under its new mandate, the government has prioritized supporting small rice farmers and fishery-dependent communities to enhance food security, increase economic stability, and address the challenges posed by climate change.
To this end, two policy programs have been launched to improve agricultural production, expand market access, and stabilize prices. Additionally, agricultural technical officers will be deployed nationwide to support farming communities, while coastal fishery-dependent communities will receive targeted assistance to adapt to climate variability, including strengthened ecosystems and climate-resilient livelihoods.
Communication4Change training represents a significant step in equipping key stakeholders with the tools needed to share impactful stories, promote project goals, and enhance collaboration. These efforts ultimately contribute to Cambodia’s vision of sustainable development and climate resilience.
About PCRL Project
The Royal Government of Cambodia is implementing a project called “Promoting Climate-Resilient Livelihoods in Rice-Based Communities in the Tonle Sap Region (PCRL)” with grant financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) administered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The project aims to help rice-based communities in the Tonle Sap region reduce their climate vulnerability and increase their resilience to climate change through an ecosystem-based, market-driven approach. The project, which covers five provinces around the Tonle Sap region, is primarily rainfed and has limited access to irrigation. The project is being implemented by the General Directorate of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the General Directorate of Local Community of the Ministry of Environment. For more information about the PCRL Project: www.pcrl.org
About CamAdapt Project: This FAO GEF – Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF) funded project, “Climate Adaptation and Resilience in Cambodia’s Coastal Fishery Dependent Communities (CamAdapt),” is implemented by the Ministry of Environment (General Directorate of Natural Protected Areas) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Fisheries Administration). The CamAdapt project aims to support “coastal fishery-dependent communities in adapting to climate change by strengthening coastal ecosystems and adapting their livelihoods.” It strives to assist Cambodia’s coastal communities in becoming more resilient to climate variability and change. Cambodia’s coastal fishing communities are among the most vulnerable due to their high dependency on natural resources, direct exposure to climate vectors (such as storms, rising sea levels, and changing weather patterns), poverty, remoteness, and marginalization. Women face even fewer adaptive options, as traditionally, they have less influence over decision-making processes, including those related to climate adaptation. The project will build on the baseline of existing policies, legal frameworks, technical measures, and investments. Additionally, it will provide extra financing to generate effective adaptation models and establish support frameworks that empower vulnerable communities, as the anticipated challenges and costs associated with climate change will increase.
About GEF: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral family of funds dedicated to confronting biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, and supporting land and ocean health. Its financing enables developing countries to address complex challenges and work towards international environmental goals. The partnership includes 186 member governments as well as civil society, Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth, with a focus on integration and inclusivity. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $25 billion in financing and mobilized $145 billion for country-driven priority projects. For more information about GEF: www.thegef.org
About FAO: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members – 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. For more information about FAO: www.fao.org
