(14 March 2026) Marks an important milestone for communities in and around Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary — most of whom are Indigenous Bunong communities from the 20 villages supported by the Keo Seima REDD+ Project.
Community leaders from all 20 villages officially signed REDD+ benefit-sharing agreements with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia and Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment. This agreement enables communities to receive around US$1 million through the 5th phase of Cash for Communities (C4C) — a key benefit-sharing program under the project.
This funding continues to support community priorities such as:
-Education – school meals, learning materials, and improved learning environments
-Clean water & sanitation systems
-Health services
-Livelihood initiatives and community savings groups
-Small-scale infrastructure – roads, bridges, schools, and community meeting halls
-Forest protection and cultural heritage preservation
With around US$2 million already invested through the first four phases, this 5th phase brings the total direct cash support to communities to US$3 million.
The signing ceremony brought together around 170 participants, presided over by H.E Chuop Paris, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment and Cambodia’s REDD+ National Focal Point, alongside Mr. Ngin Sovimean, Mondulkiri Deputy Provincial Governor, local authorities, representatives from REDD+ communities, Mondulkiri Provincial Department of Environment, and development and conservation partners.
Together, we celebrate this achievement and reaffirm our shared commitment to sustainable land use, biodiversity conservation, and improved wellbeing for communities living in and around Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary.
(A Big Day for Communities in Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary!)
