In a part of awareness raising to community members on deep pool conservation boundary, in 2021 youths collaborated with Samkhouy local authorities to install the Yay Ey deep pool conservation in Srea Tapan village, Samkhouy commune, Sesan district, Stung Treng province that it was participated from Samkhouy commune councilor, Samkhouy commune police and Srea Tapan youths representative. Under small grant, Srea Tapan CFi committee has proposed some activity to conduct the awareness raising to community members on their deep pool conservation boundary because in conservation area is not allowed for fishing if someone do the fishing in deep pool conservation will be punished by CFi committee bases on Srea Tapan by-law.

In Koh Sralao village, Stung Treng province, 51-year-old farmer Mrs. Loeur Sin has become a quiet yet powerful force for change.

Living along the Mekong River, her community depends on fishing and farming—livelihoods now threatened by shifting weather patterns and environmental degradation.

Once an ordinary farmer, Mrs. Sin transformed her role through active engagement in climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture.

Her leadership journey began with community involvement in climate discussions, where she realized the importance of integrating women’s and youth voices into local decision-making. She became a passionate advocate for gender equality and inclusive development.

With technical support from My Village Organization (MVi) and capacity building from the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), Mrs. Sin embraced climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices.

These innovations helped her improve crop yields, secure regular income, and reduce her family’s vulnerability to climate shocks.

She’s not alone in this movement. Youth members in the village, inspired by leaders like Sin, have been actively involved in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) initiatives. Together, they collaborate with key partners including CCDM, DCDM, PCDM, and the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) to strengthen community resilience.

“Being a farmer isn’t just about growing food anymore—it’s about protecting our environment and leading by example,” Mrs. Sin shared. Despite ongoing challenges such as heavy workloads and limited access to climate information, she remains committed to empowering others and building a climate-resilient future.

Her journey reflects the deep impact of community-based leadership and inclusive education. Through practical experience and strategic partnerships, Mrs. Sin is cultivating more than crops—she’s cultivating a legacy of empowerment, equity, and resilience.

In a part of awareness raising to community members on deep pool conservation boundary, in 2021 youths collaborated with Samkhouy local authorities to install the Yay Ey deep pool conservation in Srea Tapan village, Samkhouy commune, Sesan district, Stung Treng province that it was participated from Samkhouy commune councilor, Samkhouy commune police and Srea Tapan youths representative. Under small grant, Srea Tapan CFi committee has proposed some activity to conduct the awareness raising to community members on their deep pool conservation boundary because in conservation area is not allowed for fishing if someone do the fishing in deep pool conservation will be punished by CFi committee bases on Srea Tapan by-law.

Koh Sneng commune, located along the Mekong River in Stung Treng province, frequently faces the devastating impacts of climate change—floods, storms, and droughts have become part of daily life.

In recent years, these disasters have disrupted thousands of livelihoods, particularly affecting women, whose voices often go unheard in decision-making processes.

Ms. Na Osa, 62, the first deputy of Koh Sneng commune council, is one of the few women in leadership striving to change that.

Despite holding a position as the commune’s disaster management focal point, she initially admitted, “Even now, I’m not clear what climate change truly means.”

Supported by My Village Organization (MVi) and Oxfam, Ms. Na Osa participated in a series of capacity-building workshops focused on disaster management, vulnerability risk assessment (VRA), and early warning systems (App 1294).

Equipped with new knowledge and tools, she actively engaged in community planning sessions, contributing to discussions that identified local climate challenges and adaptive responses.

Her involvement became instrumental in shifting local governance toward more inclusive, climate-informed decision-making. Ms. Na Osa’s transformation—from uncertainty to action—motivated others, especially women and youth, to join climate planning efforts and steward the commune’s natural resources more responsibly.

She passionately encourages community participation: “Even if some jobs don’t bring income, we must take ownership and care for our resources to reduce disaster risks.”

Today, her leadership symbolizes the growing recognition of women’s roles in climate resilience. By bridging community knowledge and institutional processes, Ms. Na Osa is helping build a more informed, adaptive, and united Koh Sneng—one that recognizes inclusion as essential to sustainability.

In a part of awareness raising to community members on deep pool conservation boundary, in 2021 youths collaborated with Samkhouy local authorities to install the Yay Ey deep pool conservation in Srea Tapan village, Samkhouy commune, Sesan district, Stung Treng province that it was participated from Samkhouy commune councilor, Samkhouy commune police and Srea Tapan youths representative. Under small grant, Srea Tapan CFi committee has proposed some activity to conduct the awareness raising to community members on their deep pool conservation boundary because in conservation area is not allowed for fishing if someone do the fishing in deep pool conservation will be punished by CFi committee bases on Srea Tapan by-law.

In Koh Sneang village, nestled within the broader Koh Sneang commune of Stung Treng province, climate change and disaster risks—floods, storms, and prolonged drought—have deeply impacted local communities.

Amid these challenges, 62-year-old Mrs. Ousa, a woman with a disability and member of the commune council, has emerged as a trailblazing leader in disaster risk management and climate change adaptation.

With limited prior knowledge of climate issues, Mrs. Ousa joined the Strengthening Community Resilience (SCR) project—an initiative supported by Oxfam and facilitated by My Village Organization (MVi).

The project provided her with technical training, workshops, and leadership development in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and early warning systems.

Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “Before, I didn’t know what climate change was—even though I was on the disaster management committee. Now, I lead sessions that help my community prepare.”

Empowered by this support, Mrs. Ousa organized community trainings on disaster preparedness, coordinated response plans, and became a key advocate for the 1294 early warning app.

By working closely with fellow council members and community groups, she ensured local residents—including women, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups—could access timely information and build resilience.

Her commitment not only increased public awareness of climate risks but also brought greater visibility to the capacities of persons with disabilities in local leadership. Through her efforts, Koh Sneang has improved its responsiveness to climate threats, reinforcing the importance of inclusion in building community-wide resilience.

Mrs. Ousa’s transformation exemplifies the power of capacity building and inclusive engagement. Her leadership reinforces a vital message: when marginalized voices are equipped and empowered, they can lead their communities toward safer, more sustainable futures.

In a part of awareness raising to community members on deep pool conservation boundary, in 2021 youths collaborated with Samkhouy local authorities to install the Yay Ey deep pool conservation in Srea Tapan village, Samkhouy commune, Sesan district, Stung Treng province that it was participated from Samkhouy commune councilor, Samkhouy commune police and Srea Tapan youths representative. Under small grant, Srea Tapan CFi committee has proposed some activity to conduct the awareness raising to community members on their deep pool conservation boundary because in conservation area is not allowed for fishing if someone do the fishing in deep pool conservation will be punished by CFi committee bases on Srea Tapan by-law.

In Borey O’Svaysenchay District, a locally led research initiative has transformed how community voices are recognized in fisheries management.

Facilitated by women and youth across three villages—Krom, Koh Snaeng, and Tunsang—the project monitored fish catch patterns and species abundance over four months, revealing actionable insights into sustainability and livelihood resilience.

Fishing is central to household economies and food security in the region. However, environmental degradation and overfishing have put long-term viability at risk. Historically, policies overlooked indigenous knowledge and women’s contributions in fish processing and marketing.

To counter this, the community research team, supported by MVi, underwent five months of capacity-building in data collection, analysis, and reporting. Marginalized voices were prioritized through inclusive facilitation and reflection.

Key findings highlighted traditional fishing techniques and locally adapted innovations that help sustain fish populations. The study also underscored women’s pivotal economic roles, emphasizing the need for gender-responsive governance.

“Our knowledge of fishing practices has been passed down through generations; it’s time for that knowledge to guide decisions.” — Thyda, woman leader, Krom “When women are part of the conversation, everyone benefits.” — Pheasdey, youth leader, Tunsang “This is about safeguarding our future.” — Somdon, woman leader, Koh Snaeng

The district governor’s commitment to integrate these findings into the 5-year development plan marks an institutional shift toward participatory planning.

This case demonstrates how community-led research can influence formal decision-making while elevating women’s leadership in environmental stewardship.