Strategic Urgent Support for Transformation & Institutional Needs (SUSTAIN)
The project reinforces the most important activities of civil society organizations in a difficult political and financial context. The EU, Ireland and Switzerland through DanChurchAid support these organizations in their efforts to promote human rights, press freedom, and civic engagement and to develop strategies for their sustainability. The project contributes to Switzerland's objective to maintain a space for civil society and to allow citizens to actively participate in their development processes.
| Paese/Regione | Tema | Periodo | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cambogia |
Governance
Diritti dell'uomo (diritti delle donne inclusi)
Media e libertà di informazione Partecipazione democratica e società civile |
01.07.2025
- 31.12.2026 |
CHF 665’000
|
- Approximately 8,000 vulnerable local communities, including those affected by land grabbing, labour exploitation, and trafficking.
- Approximately 6,000 individuals promoting fundamental rights, such as journalists, activists, union workers, and community leaders.
- 90 staff from the CSOs who are co-applicants and Organizations receiving support through the mechanism of Financial Support to Thrid Parties (FSTP).
- Individuals will be directly reached online by the activities of 6 out of 8 co-applicants.
- Media organisations in Cambodia produce credible news on critical social issues and human rights, documenting violations to support advocacy and protection efforts. This enhances community knowledge and capacity to advocate for their rights, while ongoing advocacy promotes human rights and freedom of expression.
- CSOs activists, and those affected by human rights violations have access to financial aid, psychosocial care, legal assistance, and other support, ensuring their safety, and enabling affective advocacy.
- The project enhances CSOs organizational capacity, fosters strategic collaboration, improves fundraising and financial sustainability, and enables community-driven initiatives for a more resilient and adapte civil society.
- Other international or foreign NGO North
- DanChurchAid (DCA)
-
Settore in base alle categorie del Comitato di Aiuto allo sviluppo (DAC) dell'OCSE GOVERNO E SOCIETÀ CIVILE
GOVERNO E SOCIETÀ CIVILE
GOVERNO E SOCIETÀ CIVILE
Sotto-Settore in base alle categorie del Comitato di Aiuto allo sviluppo (DAC) dell'OCSE Diritti umani
Media e libertà di informazione
Partecipazione democratica e società civile
Temi trasversali Diritti dell'uomo
Il progetto sostiene in via prioritaria miglioramenti nell'organizzazione partner
Tipo di aiuto Contributo al progetto e al programma
Numero del progetto 7F11578
| Contesto | Cambodia has seen a significant decrease in civic space with more pressure and scruting targeting civil society groups and human rights defenders who speak out for rights and democracy. In addition to the growing pressure faced by civil society, the rapidly shrinking pool of funding for human rights initiatives has placed many organizations in an incresingly precarious position. In 2024, SIDA, a key long-time supporter of many local NGOs focused on human rights in Cambodia, announced its withdrawal of funding from country. In January 2025, funding previously approved under USAID, in Cambodia and globally, was cancelled. This has left immediate and critical funding gaps for a significant number of Local NGOs in Cambodia, especially those working on human rights. |
| Obiettivi | To maintain and strengthen the vital role of human rights-focused organizations in defending communities and promoting democracy, human rights, press freedom, and civic participation through integrated support in media, legal services, advocacy, and capacity development. |
| Gruppi target |
Direct beneficiaries: Around 14,000 people Indirect beneficiaries: Around 500,000 people |
| Effetti a medio termine |
Outcome 1: Promotion of human rights knowledge and awareness through media, documentation and advocacy towards fostering a more informed, engaged society with access to reliable and independent information. Outcome 2: Maintain the essential protection of human rights defenders, journalists, activists, and people affected by human right violation by strengthening their resilience and improving overall adherence to proection of human rights. Outcome 3: CSOs have strengthened their resilience and sustainability by prioritizing key programs, securing alternative funding, and driving innovative, community-driven solutions, fostering synergies. |
| Risultati |
Risultati principali attesi: Risultati fasi precedenti: This project is not a continuation of a previous one, but a strategic response to shrinking civic space and declining human rights funding in Cambodia. DCA has a strong track record of working with the eight co-applicants, including leading a USAID project between 202-2024, where all co-applicants participated, and which focused on protecting human rights in Cambodia, particularly economic, social, cultural, and civil rights. DCA supported partners in building organizational capacity and trust, enhancing civil society's resilience. A key lessons was the value of strong, trusted networks, an asset that will be crucial to the success of the SUSTAIN Project. |
| Direzione/Ufficio responsabile |
DSC |
| Partner del progetto |
Partner contrattuale ONG internazionale o straniera |
| Coordinamento con altri progetti e attori |
Co-funders: EU and Irish Co-applicants: ADHOC, LICADHO, CCHR, CamboJA, CCIM, CENTRAL, EC, and STT |
| Budget | Fase in corso Budget Svizzera CHF 665’000 Budget svizzero attualmente già speso CHF 0 Budget inclusi partner del progetto CHF 1’686’250 Progetto totale dalla prima fase Budget Svizzera CHF 0 Budget inclusi partner del progetto CHF 665’000 |
| Fasi del progetto | Fase 1 01.07.2025 - 31.12.2026 (Fase in corso) |
