Generating Resilient Environments and Promoting Socio-Economic Development of the East Tonle Sap Lake (GREEN)

The Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and one of the most productive inland fisheries in the world. The lake has an impressive ecosystem with over 200 fish species living in the lake. However, the effects of climate change accompanied by overfishing, deforestation, building of dams, and the depositing of untreated industrial and domestic sewage, are all threatening the natural balance of the region.¹ 

Change in water levels is having a major effect on surrounding wetlands, causing a decline species living in and around the lake. About 70% of households in Tonle Sap Lake are engaged in the fishing industry. The severe decline in fish means that livelihoods are under increasingly under threat.²

GREEN aims to improve the vulnerable East Tonle Sap Lake (ETSL) fishing communities’ socio-economic status and resilience to climate change, through increased access to water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), waste management services and products, green economies, and education. 

How GREEN helped the most vulnerable

Project activities were categorised into three areas: water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), green economy and education. VSO in partnership with National University of Battambang (NUBB), worked collaboratively on the green economy component – aiming to improve environmental awareness and adopt green economy initiatives.

The project achieved this by targeting the following groups in three regions (Kampong Thom province in Kampong Svay district, Pursat province in Krakor district and Kampong Chhnang province in Boribour district).

• Fishing households living inland and in floating communities  
• Vulnerable youth 
• Households on Cambodia’s national poverty identification system, IDPoor 
• People with disabilities and from ethnic minority backgrounds 
• Community and producer groups 
• Private businesses; Micro and Small-Enterprises (MSME) 
• Local authorities 

Green economy

A green economy is defined as low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. In a green economy, growth in employment and income are driven by investment into infrastructure that promotes reduced carbon emissions and pollution, enhances energy efficiency, and prevents of the loss of biodiversity and ecosystems.

For communities of ETSL this meant strengthening agricultural, non-agricultural and green value chains for fishing communities, raising awareness on the importance of green economy in protecting the biodiversity of the lake, enable environments for the development of community-based eco-tourism businesses and establish green economy incubators to support vulnerable youth and local businesses.

Learn more about the project achievements

What we did

Strengthening green value chains

Conduct gendered value chains assessment and labour market assessment, strengthen agricultural and non-agricultural green value chains and strengthen existing and new community producer groups. 

Environmental awareness and behaviour change

We protect the biodiversity and environment of the lake through spreading social and behavioural change communication messages and mentor community volunteers to conduct their own awareness campaigns through platforms like community theatre, video, social media and community outreach. 

• 3150 households reporting at least 2 environmentally friendly behaviours. 
• Eco-tourism: Development of community-based eco-tourism businesses. 
• 4 feasibility studies reports 
• 3 eco-tourism plans developed by communities and linked with communal investment plans. 

Green business incubator

Establishment of a green business incubator programme to support vulnerable youth and local businesses, the provision of grants to successful grantees and the delivery of technical assistance and training for MSME green economy incubators.

Other areas being worked on

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) - iDE

By working with local communities and stakeholders, GREEN is establishing and strengthen local market systems for WASH and solid waste management solutions. With the collaboration of communities, the project is designing and implementing local activities to promote positive WASH practices. This includes directly working with teachers and education staff, families, caregivers, community leaders and governments to promote safe WASH.  

The project also works to strengthen the capacity of WASH suppliers and solid waste management entrepreneurs in local areas. This includes working with local youths, SME’s and MSME’s to ensure there is adequate infrastructure in place for technical and management capacities across WASH, waste management, green economy, education, evidence generation and social behaviour change.

Education – Save the Children

Education is a key tool in ensuring that livelihoods are sustainable for future generations. This is done by building the capacity of teachers and school management and offices, training caregivers on positive parenting (including family saving plan for children’s education) and by providing learning support to children.