In order to contribute to sustaining and maintaining forest resources in Cambodia, Community-based forest management is a legally binding framework that aims to hand over power to local people to make a decision for natural resource management in Cambodia. The Department of Climate Change under the General Secretariat for the National Council for Sustainable Development (GSSD) through the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance Programme Phase 3 (CCCA3), funded by the EU, Sweden, and UNDP, is supporting the Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific (RECOFTC) to pilot an innovative approach, namely a community forestry credit scheme. The scheme is used to generate capital for community forestry activities that contribute to both climate change mitigation and adaptation, including forest restoration, patrolling, and financing sustainable livelihood activities in 10 community forests in Kampong Thom and Kratie provinces.

Community members collecting bamboo shoots for foods in the community forest.

Mrs. Morn Saran (top) and Mrs. Thon Phanny (bottom), both are collecting bamboo shoots for foods in O Taneung Community Forestry in Kratie province. “Interest from credit scheme is important to us, and we can use it for reforestation, a firebreak to prevent the spread of forest fires and patrolling.” said Thon Phanny, a community forestry member.

Patrolling teams, that are actively participated by the local people and authorities aim to protect community forests.

A local community member is collecting honeybees in their community forest.