Executive Director: Mr Rith Bunroeun
Address: #103, Street 4, Sangkat Damrei Chankla,Group 11, Stung Sen City,
Kampong Thom province, Cambodia.
Office: (+855) 62 6900 213 or Mobile: (+855) 12 928 553
Email: rithbunroeun_afd@yahoo.com
Address: #103, Street 4, Sangkat Damrei Chankla,Group 11, Stung Sen City,
Kampong Thom province, Cambodia.
Office: (+855) 62 6900 213 or Mobile: (+855) 12 928 553
Email: rithbunroeun_afd@yahoo.com
What is AFD?
Action for Development is a Non Government Organisation. AFD started in 2004 and was officially registered in 2006 to address a need to assist the poorest communities within rural areas to alleviate poverty, especially those dependent on natural resources.
In 2010, AFD in partnership with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) UK evaluated the current work of the organization and decided to focus and strengthen the work of AFD’s secure livelihoods work. This entailed looking at the core structure of the organization and seeing how changes could be made from the bottom up to improve the process of future work.
AFD now consists of a core group of committed paid staff and volunteers from a diverse set of backgrounds having accumulated years of practical experience working on developmental issues facing Cambodians. AFD has recently updated its program plan and has conducted research into the current needs of the communities in the target area. This was done to update AFD’s strategic 5-year plan.
Our Focus:
Mission Statement
AFD works in partnership to secure the rights of natural resource dependent communities. Increasing their influence over democratic decision-making, ensuring sustainable natural resource management, supporting biodiversity conservation and climate change adaption, while raising income and food security to alleviate rural poverty.
Vision Statement
AFD believes that all people are equal to live their lives with dignity and respect, fully participating in transparent and accountable rural development decisions that protect Cambodia’s rich wildlife heritage, and alleviate poverty and suffering.
Core values: transparency, team work, kindness, accountability, equity, and honesty.
Organizational structure
AFD Board of Directors – AFD has five Board members. Four are based in Phnom Penh working for other NGO’s; the other working for USAID in Iraq. An additional Board member will be added who represents our partner CBOs to provide ‘on-the-ground’ insight into strategic program decision-making. Board members are elected every 3 years and assist in strategizing future work plans and checking internal policies. Board members will meet quarterly to check the progress of the program. The Board Members are also involved in the recruitment and management of the Executive Director (ED). The Board has the right to remove the ED if he does not fulfil his role to deliver the program
Executive Director - The Executive Director (ED) is based in Kampong Thom province and is responsible for the overall management and administrative arrangements for the program this includes leading on daily activities to achieve project objectives. He works very closely with his 3 project officers to ensure project objectives are met and work plans adhered to
Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) UK Program Management Adviser – VSO will focus on building the capacity of AFD staff to indirectly reduce poverty for communities in Kampong Thom province. VSO has facilitated a participatory organizational assessment that enables staff to identify their capacity building needs and develop organizational development plans. VSO will provide support through a long-term volunteer placement that has matched the partner needs, providing financial help for programming activities to complement this. By working with AFD on an on-going basis, VSO ensures that knowledge, skills and learning gained by partner staff in program activities, such as training workshops, exchange visits or partner forums, can be effectively applied and utilized in their every day work.
Executive Director - The Executive Director (ED) is based in Kampong Thom province and is responsible for the overall management and administrative arrangements for the program this includes leading on daily activities to achieve project objectives. He works very closely with his 3 project officers to ensure project objectives are met and work plans adhered to
Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) UK Program Management Adviser – VSO will focus on building the capacity of AFD staff to indirectly reduce poverty for communities in Kampong Thom province. VSO has facilitated a participatory organizational assessment that enables staff to identify their capacity building needs and develop organizational development plans. VSO will provide support through a long-term volunteer placement that has matched the partner needs, providing financial help for programming activities to complement this. By working with AFD on an on-going basis, VSO ensures that knowledge, skills and learning gained by partner staff in program activities, such as training workshops, exchange visits or partner forums, can be effectively applied and utilized in their every day work.
Program Management Committee - The Management Committee consists of the Project Officers, Administrative staff and the Executive Director who meet regularly to discuss progress of projects and administrative tasks such as recruitment at weekly/monthly meetings. On a bi-annual basis the program will be reviewed by the Program Management Committee, with reports sent to Board Members and donors upon request. Each project officer is responsible for their specific projects.
Project Officers - Responsible for delivering project activities, promote community/government relations and community/community information sharing. They will also be responsible for collecting field data and for monitoring and evaluating activities.
Project Support Staff - Project assistants support the implementation of daily activities and collect and manage monitoring and evaluating information.
Finance Officer: Ensures internal financial controls are adhered to and expenditure meets agreed budget working with the ED.
Program Administrator: Provides administrative and logistical support to the Executive Director. Ensures internal control arrangements and staff policies are in place, in charge of communications and office duties.
Volunteers – AFD take three volunteers from the local university who are engaged in secure livelihood education programs, who will learn from field-based activities alongside their studies, supporting specific projects and achieving specific goals.
International Vounteers – Provide support in a number of ways depending on what is needed to be done at the time they are working within the organisation. Proof reading, helping in the search for suitable donors, document writing and also visiting the field for insight into the implementation of the projects.
AFD organisational chart to be added
Where do we work?
AFD target area comprises of 43 communities, all located in Kampong Thom province, Kingdom of Cambodia. The main beneficiaries will be poor and marginalized men, women and children living in natural resource dependent communities.
The overall program that AFD is working on
The overall impact that AFD wants to achieve is: “Changes in the rights of natural resource dependent communities in Kampong Thom Province in relation to government policies and as reflected in their improved standard of living.”
We try to achieve this through 4 project areas, focusing on:
1. Good governance:
T To strengthen the voice of poor and marginalized natural resource dependent community members to engage in democratic decision-making processes.
The project will provide communities with an understanding of democratic development in Cambodia. The project has three components that will:-
The project will provide communities with an understanding of democratic development in Cambodia. The project has three components that will:-
· Increase community understanding of good governance concerning the law, roles and responsibilities and methods of civil society and government engagement.
· Strengthen civil society’s engagement in good governance activities.
· Increase respect from local authorities and private sector to engage with civil society in rural development decisions.
2. Natural resource and environmental management (NREM):
To establish pro-poor conditions for communities to access and manage natural resources to alleviate poverty.
3. Secure livelihoods:
To support communities to engage in sustainable economic viable livelihoods and improve food security.
4. Climate Change
Another area AFD works in is Climate Change adaption, but this area is incorporated in the NREM and Secure livelihoods projects.
For a short presentation of AFD’s project areas and the project outcomes, please see the following link: http://prezi.com/awuj7ljqvkkx/afd-program-design.
For a short presentation of AFD’s project areas and the project outcomes, please see the following link: http://prezi.com/awuj7ljqvkkx/afd-program-design.
Previous Projects and Results
Project: Community Protected Area (CPA) legalization and establishment
Duration: April 2011 – present
Project description: AFD will facilitate the beginning stages of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) to establish six Community Protected Areas (CPAs) in Sakream Commune, San Dan District. This was seen as a high priority after a Vietnamese rubber plantation cut 3, 000 hectares of low-lying forest which community livelihood’s, particularly 15 resin tapping groups.
Project achievements
· Conducted Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) in 6 villages
· Disseminated PRA information to all community members in 6 villages at community forums
· Awareness raising activities to ensure community understanding about the need to protect communal forest land
· Facilitated the establishment of 5 CPA management committees in 6 villages
· Demarcated community boundaries for all 6 villages
Duration: 1st June 2010 – May 2011
Project description: The project integrated Bengle Florican protection into Community Forestry Management Plans. The Benegal Florican is a very rare bustard species from tropical South East Asia. It is the only member for Houbaropsis. This threatenened species is almost exstinct, less than 1000 adult birds are still alive.
Project achievements
· All community stakeholders in 5 CF areas agreed to implement wildlife conservation activities into their CFMP’s
· 463 people (229 females) reported they understand the importance of wildlife conservation, in particular the Bengle Florican
· 135 community members (20 females) in 5 CF areas conducted wildlife assessments to identify key species to protect, including the Bengle florican and other water birds.
· The Community Forestry Management Committees in 5 CF areas received training to strengthen their capacity, knowledge of wildlife conservation, roles and responsibilities and strong leadership skills
· 1 case of encroachment onto the conservation site was stopped, facilitated by AFD and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
· A 65% decrease in illegal livelihood activities, including the arrest of poachers trying to hunt monkeys, reduction in illegal logging and the shooting of other water birds
Project: Strengthening management and effective use of natural resources to improve community livelihoods
Duration: December 2010- March 2011
Project description: The project improved the livelihoods of poor and marginalized community members in 49 Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) areas. The project focused on women’s participation in rural development decision-making and natural resource management, strengthening the number of female leaders through women’s networks and increased their local businesses.
Project Achievements
· Communities in 1 CF area mapped their natural resources into 24 areas
· The selling of Community Forestry land to a military General in Munti Knung village was stopped. AFD, in partnership with the Forestry Administration facilitated the conflict resolution meetings
· 1 community has shared the results of their forest inventory with CF community members (Part 6 of Step 7 in Community Forestry to obtain Community Forestry Management Plan with the Forestry Administration (FA))
· 94 people (49 females), half from Community Forestry Management Committees (CFMC) and have from local businesses attended training on business planning and financial management
· 18 businesses reliant on forest and fish products (1 honey and 3 resin groups, 2 thatch roofing businesses, 2 chicken groups, 3 rattan 1 sugar palm business, 4 vegetable growing groups, 2 fish groups (dried fish, proh hoh)) run better businesses with greater financial management.
· A 40% Increase in participation from the CFMC representing the needs of poor and marginalized community members at CC monthly meetings
· Creation of two women’s networks in two districts to share information about best practice, income generating activities and future business plans
· 80 participants attended reflection workshop in Kampong Thom provincial hall to discuss best practices and show forest products they sell
Project: Disseminate information and vaccinate cows and buffaloes
Duration: (21st October – 21st November 2010
Project description: The project was a short-term vaccination project supported by the United Nations Development Program and European Commission in Kampong Chanang province
Project achievements
· The vaccination of 22,784 cows and buffalo
· Information about the importance of vaccinations to farmers in 30 villages
Project: Livelihood security through natural resource development project (LNRDP)
Duration: January – October 2010
Project description: The project improved Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) with 5 Community Fisheries (CFi) and 18 Community Forestry (CF) areas.
Project achievements
· 5 CFi’s were recognized by the fishery cantonment
· AFD conducted training on the creation of Community Fishery Management Plan (CFiMP) to the Community Fishery Committee (CFiC)
· AFD conducted capacity building activities to create better organizational structures, improved leadership, conflict resolution, election process and membership of the CFiC.
· AFD cooperated with the FA and CC to draft agreement for 4 new CF areas
· 20 people received training on the creation of CF inventory lists.
· 3 CF’s achieved step 5 (creating inventory list) in the Community Forestry Management Plan (CFMP) process
· 1 CF achieved step 6 (identifying forest products) to be agreed upon for 15 year Community Forestry Management Plan (CFMP) by local authorities
· AFD provided training to 125 farmers on chicken raising and vegetable growing and use of pesticides
· Established 15 successful businesses (46 people) for cucumber, water melons, egg plant, and chickens involving community members in value chain analysis and market development activities.
· Conducted district-level meetings on sustainable natural resource management, sharing livelihood experiences between community members
· 23 CBOs attended meetings at the village-level to understand the Land law, Forestry law and Fishery law
· AFD facilitated monthly CC meetings where 10 conflicts were resolved concerning illegal logging, land disputes and illegal fishing
Project: Ketsana Food Security and Livelihood Improvement Project
Duration: April to June 2010 Project description: Oxfam Quebec partner in the response to Hurricane Ketsana in San Dan district.
Project achievements
· Provided 100 families with material for shelter, water filters and hygiene in 5 villages in San Dan District.
· Provided cash to communities to increase food security in San Dan district
· 100 people (65 females) received training on compost making, vegetable growing and chicken raising
· 80% of families reported an increased understanding in a project evaluation
· 100 people received chickens, vegetable seeds and materials to build chicken pens
· 65% of affected families reported their standard of living had improved since Hurricane Ketsana struck and had greater food security.
NB: AFD was involved in a joint evaluation of Oxfam GB’s response to Hurricane Ketsana in April also.
Project: Peoples Participation in Sustainable Natural Resource ManagementDuration: 15th February to 30 June 30 2010
Project description: This project supported Community Forestry Committees to prepare their bylaw and to present it to the community.
Project achievements
· Strengthened capacity of 23 Community Forestry Management Committees (CFMCs) to obtain rights to natural resources, and to access and manage these resources for subsistence-level farming
· Reviewed 23 CFMC by-laws and regulations
· Supported the re-election of CFMC in CF areas
· Demarcated boundaries in all 2 CF areas
· Communities reported that they had increased participation in community meetings with the CC monthly meeting
· 12 CF areas were recognized by local cantonment securing their rights to the land and natural resources
· 11 CF reached Step 5 in the CF stages
· 4 CF reached Step 7 in preparation to create their Community Forestry Management Plan (CFMP)
Project: Sustainable Livelihood for Poor Farmers (SLPF)
Duration: 1st June 2009 - May 2010
Project description: The project supported natural resource management for poor farmers, working with Community Fishery, improving agricultural techniques and strengthening community involvement in rural development decisions.
Project achievements· 1 CFi (3 villages) recognized by local cantonment
· Reduction in illegal fishing in established CFi area
· Greater ability for communities to patrol and report findings
· The Community Fishery Committee improved organizational capacity with improved understanding of roles and responsibilities
· Laws and guidelines concerning CFi were updated
· Illegal fishing decreased in CFi area by 90% as a result of weekly patrols
· Villagers reported increased engagement and respect from local authorities
· 50 farmers received training in agricultural techniques (vegetable growing and chicken raising) who trained other farmers in their villages.
· 9 farmers received vegetable seeds and farming tools to start home gardening
· 12 farmers received materials to build chicken pens
· 225 (101 female) people attended information session on how to be involved in the Commune Development Plan (CDP) in 4 CBNRM areas.
· Increased representation of poor and marginalized farmers by CBOs at CC meetings
· Created 8 Village Development Plans (VDPs) based on PRA results from research with 304 (194 female) villagers.
Project: Strengthening the measure for protecting illegal fishing and inundated forest
Duration: 5th September 2009- 5th February 2010
Project Description: The project addressed illegal fishing and logging to protect natural resources. The project was carried out alongside local authorities and facilitated by Community Organization for Women’s Support (COWS) funded by PACT Cambodia. The project built the capacity of fish and forest communities to engage with the Commune Council.
Project achievements
· Education project to disseminate information on the fisheries law, resource management and the impacts of illegal livelihood strategies
· Prepared a signboard with fishery officer placed in public areas
· Village procession too place to raise awareness of the benefits of managing fishery resources sustainably
· Provided 50 base trees and 40 pipes to act as protective areas for fish to hide in when fishing activities take place
· Conducted ‘Fishing Day’ to raise awareness of the importance of managing fish for resource dependent communities
· Trained Community Fishery Committee had improved report writing skills, action plans, and improved leadership.
· Provided a patrol post for villagers to stay in when guarding fishery resources from illegal activities
Project: Improved Forest Management for Sustainable Livelihood Project
Duration: 1st February - 31 December 2009
Project description: The project strengthened Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) in Kampong Thom province.
Project achievements
· 18 Community Forestry Committees had their administrative, financial and operational capacities improved.
· 40 villages increased their household income and food security through forest and non-forest income-generating activities.
· 12 CFs registered their Community Forestry Management Plans with the forestry cantonment
· 18 small business groups were established and ran successful businesses including resin, rattan, honey, chicken and vegetable groups.
Project: People’s Initiative for Legal Rights on Land and Natural Resources.
Duration: 1st November 2008 – 31st May 2009
Project description: The project addressed poor implementation of land laws and human rights, raised awareness of rural developments, built the capacity of communities, and strengthened community networks. The project focused on poor farmers, women headed households, and disabled victims of land grabbing.
Project achievements
· Built the capacity of 10 conflict resolution groups to resolve land disputes in their village
· Facilitated the resolution of one land conflict between villagers over building water irrigation channels
· Organized community forums to resolve land conflicts and raise the voice of community members.
· Meetings in 11 villages to disseminate information about domestic violence which resulted in a reduction in domestic violence cases by 70% (from 15 cases to a few in each village).
Project: Improved Fishery Management for Sustainable Livelihood (IFMSL)
Duration: 1st February 2009 - December 31st 2009 Project description: The project was to secure fishing communities with rights to fisheries, with access and management rights to use their resources. The project also aimed to improve food security and livelihoods.
Project achievements
· Education program on good governance of natural resources
· 5 CFi received agreement with fishery cantonment and all drafted resource management plans
· 10 successful business groups were formed (5 vegetable groups and 5 chicken raising)
· 22 villages (28, 634) received training on chicken raising, composting and vegetable growing
· 20 families received seeds and tools for home gardening
· AFD facilitated a ‘fishing day’ to provide training on market orientation and value chain analysis
· Supported CFiMC to attend monthly meetings to raise the concerns of their communities
Previous Donors
Donor or other funding source | Amount (indicate currency) | Dates | Purpose(s) of contribution |
Germen Development Agency DeD | $ 5,438 | November,2008–Dec 31, 2009 | Legal Right on Land and Natural Resources |
Charity | $ 900.00 | January 2010 | To be used for purchase office future. |
Oxfam G.B | $ 48,261.00 | January 1, 2009 –Dec 31, 2009 | Livelihood Security through Natural Resources Development |
AJWS | $ 12,500.00 | January 1, 2009 – May 30 2010 | Natural Resources Management |
Co-funding | $ 17,000.00 | August 1 2009-March 31 2010 | Livelihood, Domestic violence and Sustainable land use projects. |
Oxfam GB | $ 35,000.00 | January 1,October 2010 | Livelihood Security through Natural Resource Development |
Asia Foundation TAF | $ 11,283.50 | Feb 15 2010 –June 2010 | People’s participation on Sustainable natural resource management |
Oxfam Québec | $ 6,442.00 | April 2010-June 2010 | Food Security and Livelihood Improvement |
Birdlife International | $ 9,990.00 | June 2010-May 2011 | Improve Food Security Integrating Bengal Florican Conservation in Community Forest Management |
Support AFD
AFD is a non profit organisation therefore relies completely on donations from charities and other organisations. For further information on how to make a donation whether this be financial aid or offering resources in an alternative form please do not hesitate to contact the executive director rithbunroeun_afd@yahoo.com
Case Study
Case Study
