USAID to Strengthen Civil Society

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is launching a new project aimed at strengthening civil society and grassroots networks in the country, according to statement from the US Embassy yesterday. The statement said the Cambodian Civil Society Strengthening project would be funded for five years with a budget of $9 million to help improve civil society’s management structures, communication and operation procedures and human resources management.

The CCSS will also offer small grants to solve land disputes, help victims of gender-based violence and support the protection of the Kingdom’s natural resources. It will also provide funding for a wide array of research projects including public opinion polls and social economic assessments to help civil society better deliver its services, according to the statement.

“We hope that this project will help Cambodia’s civil society to be even more effective in shaping a constructive and respectful conversation about laws and policies that affect the lives of ordinary Cambodians,” said Charge d’Affaires of the embassy Julie Chung. The statement says the CCSS project aims to help civil society promote national and local governmental accountability, help solve developmental challenges and promote sustainable civil society.

read more http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/27214/usaid-to-strengthen-civil-society/