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The European Union awarded eleven new grants for a total of over 8.2 million Euros to local and international NGOs. The funds will be used to strengthen civil society organisations and promote human rights (political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights), accountability, good governance, and democratisation. The grants are awarded as part of a competitive process which attracted 77 applicants. "I am delighted that the EU, as one of the key development partners to Cambodia, is able to continue its support to civil society and their effort to promote human rights and democratic reform. We believe that these grants will directly benefit the entire nation by strengthening local governance, accountability and inclusive and sustainable growth," said H.E Mr. George EDGAR, Ambassador of the European Union in Cambodia.

"I am confident that these new grants will serve to further narrow the development gap for the greater benefit of Cambodians," added the EU Ambassador

The 11 NGOs and their partners who received EU funds for 3-year projects are:

• ActionAid, Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, Building Community Voice and Children and Women Development Center in Cambodia receives 1 million Euros to run a project in Kampot and Oddar Meanchey provinces. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations and marginalised communities affected by infrastructure developments, land rights violations and land exploitation to increase their access to and control over land.

• CARE Osterreich, Legal Support for Children and Women, and Cambodian Women for Peace and Development receives 750,000 Euros to run a project in Phnom Penh, which aims to advocate and strengthen the capacity of female construction workers, civil society and government partners on labour rights and to increase the voice and influence of female construction workers in labour discussions. Deutsche Welle, Women's Media Centre of Cambodia, and Banteay Srei receives an award of 392,000 Euros to run a project in Phnom Penh, Battambang, Kampong Thom and Siem Reap provincesto ensure women's active participation in political processes, particularly during the 2017 Commune Council elections and 2018 National Assembly elections, thereby leading to greater political representation and participation by women in Cambodia and a stronger focus on issues relevant to women.

• Fishery Action Coalition Team and Nak Akphiwath Sahakum is granted with 1 million Euros to run a project in Stung Treng, Kampong Cham, Pursat, Battambang and Kampong Chhnang provinces. The project aims to ensure the Coalition of Community-Based Organizations as well as the grassroots Cambodian fishers and communities in Cambodia’s Mekong and Tonle Sap are strengthened and empowered to protect and conserve fishery resources in sustainable manner.

• Gruppo di Volontariato Civile, Women Crisis Centre and Legal Support for Children and Women receives 475,000 Euros to implement a project in Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Kampong Cham, Banteay Mancheay, and Kampong Thom provinces aiming to improve safe channels of migration monitoring and advocate for the implementation of measures to combat human trafficking and irregular migration.

• Handicap International, Cambodian Disabled People Organisation and Representative Self-help Disabilities Organization Batheay District is granted 746,000 Euros to run a project in Kampong Cham and Tbaung Khmum provinces to support civil society effort in its capacity to contribute to inclusive local development and to enable the participation of vulnerable citizens, with emphasis on disabled persons, to improve local governance and the delivery of services.

• NGO Education Partnership and DVV International received over 718,000 Euros to implement a project across Cambodia with the aim improving Civil Society engagement in policy dialogue and monitoring policy implementation, with a specific focus on strengthening sub-national civil society mechanisms to bring about improvements in service delivery in the field of education.

• People in Need, Sahmakum Teang Tnaut, Open Institute, and Urban Poor Women Development receives over 994,000 Euros to run a project in Phnom Penh, to improve the living condition of vulnerable communities affected by economic infrastructure development in Cambodia as well as strengthening civil society organizations to participate in peaceful land dispute resolution mechanisms in urban poor areas under threat of eviction.

• People Center for Development and Peace, Khmer Buddhist Society in Cambodia and Youth Coalition for Unity and Development is granted with 475,000 Euros to implement a project in 10 provinces to provide youth with a better access to information concerning voter registration, develop their understanding of their roles in politics, and give them a forum where they could communicate their concerns to the decision-makers.

• Redd Barna (Save the Children Norway), Buddhism for Social Development Action and Women Organisation for modern Economy and Nursing receives 750,000 Euros to run a project in Pursat, Prey Veng and Tbong Khmum provinces, that is set to empower civil society organisations and to strengthen the capacity of local authorities and public service providers to protect and fulfil the rights of children and young people through improved service provision and public financial management.

• Voluntary Services Overseas, Cooperation Committee for Cambodia, NGO Forum, and Gender and Development for Cambodia receives over 935,000 Euros to implement a project in nine provinces. The aim of the project is to strengthen civil society networks in Cambodia by enhancing their effectiveness as key actors in improving governance and accountability, and encouraging inclusive policy-making.

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For further information, please contact Mrs Pok POUN, Press & Information Officer at the Delegation of the European Union to Cambodia: 023-216996, pok.poun@eeas.europa.eu