Signing Ceremony on Project “Community Action for Sustainable Forests (CASFor)”
Today, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) in collaboration with the FAO Representation in Cambodia, convened for the official signing ceremony to inaugurate the commencement of a groundbreaking project entitled "Community Action for Sustainable Forests (CASFor)". This initiative is a collaborative effort between MAFF, the Ministry of Environment, the Swiss Cooperation Office and Consular Agency in Cambodia, FAO, UNDP, RECOFTC, and WCS, aiming strengthening community forest user groups, improving livelihoods, and actively contributing to climate action and biodiversity conservation while sustainably.
By adopting a market-driven participatory approach, CASFor leverages sustainable market opportunities while rehabilitating forest landscapes, managing resources, and building livelihood resilience. The project collaboratively invests in assisting Community Forestry (CFs) and Community Protected Areas (CPAs) partners in aligning their activities with market demand, understanding market requirements, identifying partners, and overcoming barriers. Additionally, CASFor supports CFs, CPAs, and local communities in understanding forest resources' status and potential through data collection and analysis, integrating community-based forest operations into national monitoring systems, and strengthening institutional capacities. The project utilizes tools like SEPAL to integrate local forest activities into the National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS) and the Cambodia Environment Management Information System (CEMIS). The project targets 24 Districts in five Provinces, namely Bantey Meanchey, Kampong Thom, Preah Vihea, Kratie and Stoeung Treng benefiting about 86 000 people.
“With each signature, we affirm our individual roles, not only FAO and MAFF but all other partners here, and responsibilities, solidifying our collective resolve to achieve CASFor's objectives: strengthening Community Forest user groups, improving livelihoods, and actively contributing to climate action and biodiversity conservation while sustainably managing forest resources” said Ms Rebekah Bell, FAO Representative in Cambodia.
Mr. Markus Bürli, Director of Cooperation at the Swiss Cooperation Office and Consular Agency in Cambodia, emphasizes SDC's support for various initiatives including the recently concluded Partnership for Forestry and Fisheries (PAFF) and a new collaboration with DanChurch Aid for livelihood improvement and sustainable natural resources management. CASFor aims to scale up PAFF's achievements and synergize with initiatives under the DanChurch Aid partnership. It aims to connect local to international efforts for sustainable forest management and livelihood improvement through sustainable financing such as REDD+, in collaboration with MAFF, MOE, FAO, UNDP, RECOFTC, and WCS.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, I extend sincere appreciation for the invaluable support from SDC and FAO on various initiative, as well as UNDP, RECOFTC, and WCS for this project. We also express our heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Environment for their collaboration and partnership. We recognize the critical importance of initiatives like CASFor in achieving our national commitments to climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. Let us seize this opportunity to forge ahead with determination, knowing that together, we can create more sustainable future for the Community Forestry and Community Protected Area in all the target provinces and finally national climate change prior” Dr. Sar Chetra, Deputy Secretary General in Charge, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.