The PaFF programme started in November 2014 and covers three phases over eight years until 2022. The second phase will be running from August 2017 until June 2021 implemented by a consortium of Cambodian NGOs on a budget of USD 6.1 million contributed by a range of international funders (see editor’s note for NGOs and donors).
The aim of PaFF is to support local and indigenous communities and households in increasing their income and improving their resilience to economic and natural shocks. This is done by engaging in sustainable community-based livelihood approaches that protect ecosystems and reduce pressure on communal natural resources.
To achieve these objectives, PaFF phase 2 has three interlinked outcomes: 1) securing and exercising rights to natural resources 2) increasing income through sustainable community-based forestry and fishery enterprises and 3) enabling policy at national and local levels to support rights over natural resources and community-based enterprises’ sustainability.
PaFF phase 2 will build on experiences and lessons learned from phase 1 to add two neighbouring provinces (Preah Vihear and Kampong Thom) to its current intervention areas of Kratie and Stung Treng. This expansion and strengthened programmatic and coordinated focus on capacity building will allow the programme’s outreach to expand from 158 to 347 community forestry’s and fisheries (32,910 households, 50% women, 10% Indigenous people, 380,711 ha of community area).
“The sustainable management of natural resources is fundamental to supporting the lives of the Cambodian people who, with the training, economic opportunity, and realistically sustainable livelihoods, are best placed to look after them,” said H.E. Eng Cheasan, Delegate of the Royal Government of Cambodia in charge of the Director-General of the Fisheries Administration. “This is where the PaFF project is crucial in providing solutions. The Government of Cambodia gives its full support to the PaFF project and the hard work of the Cambodian NGOs and community members who engage with and are committed to the programme’s success.”
Country Director of WWF-Cambodia, Seng Teak, talks more specifically about the livelihoods PaFF supports: “Forestry and fisheries are productive resources that, if managed efficiently through improved management and conservation of forestry’s and fisheries, can provide sustained products that can be utilised directly to support local livelihoods, including fish and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) such as resin, wild honey, bamboo, and rattan that can be sold to generate income. Further support is required to assist local communities in developing efficient and equitable sustainable management of these resources.”
Mrs. Femy, Executive director of NTFP-EP Asia, added: “PaFF will also work towards sustainably managed landscapes that provide the most essential ecosystem services on which local communities and broader economic development depends. This aligns with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s objective to strike a balance between development and conservation.”
Mrs Carin Salnero, Director of Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation echo’s the ability of the PaFF programme to foster development through conservation: “SDC is convinced that the PaFF programme contributes to a stronger interaction between authorities, communities, and the private sector in the sustainable use and conservation of forestry and fishery resources. It strengthens the knowledge of the actors about sustainable natural resources management, as well as their capacities to implement policies, and set up small-scale economic activities.”
For more information:
Mr. Un Chakrey, Communications and Marketing Manager of WWF-Cambodia
Tel: +855 (0)17 234 555
