Thrive EMW in Cambodia

Bridging climate action and community needs for inclusive climate-resilient development and equity in WASH

From 2023 to 2024 Water for Women partnered with Thrive Networks / East Meets West and partners in Cambodia to integrate climate change adaptation knowledge and practical actions to promote resilient and inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in households and communities in the climate-vulnerable provinces of Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kratie, Prey Veng, Pursat and Tboung Khmum to reach 30,241* people. This project was an extension of WOBA (2018 to 2022). Thrive/EMW's Water for Women project finished delivery in December 2024.

Partner: Thrive Networks / East Meets West

Locations: Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kratie, Prey Veng, Pursat and Tboung Khmum Provinces, Cambodia

Focus areas: Climate change adaptation knowledge and practical actions at government, community and household levels

Thrive Networks/East Meets West’s Water for Women journey constitutes a profound chapter in Cambodia’s progress towards climate-resilient inclusive WASH systems. Consolidating and building on gains from Phase 1 (2018-22), the Community-Led Inclusive Climate-Resilient (CLICR) WASH project (2023-24) catalysed lasting change that transformed infrastructure, empowered communities, and embedded resilience in the face of climate risks.

At its core, this project tells the story of powerful partnerships: among local communities, the private sector and governments, combining tradition and innovation, and action and reflection. It is a story of learning and adaptation, through which challenges were met with creativity, and solutions rooted in the lived realities of Cambodia’s most vulnerable people. 

Participants gather for a group photo at the CLICR WASH closing workshop in Cambodia. (Thrive EMW / Tran Thi Thu Thi)

Over the seven years of Water for Women, Thrive/EMW contributed towards improved access to climate-resilient and inclusive WASH for some 662,702 people. An additional 74,222 indirectly benefitted from Thrive/EMW’s project. During the final two-year Extension Phase, the project reached 30,241* people directly. 

Empowering community-led climate resilience 

Water Safety Plans (WSPs), co-developed with local leaders and technical experts, identified risks to water supplies and include tailored solutions to safeguard water during crises.

In Prey Veng, comprehensive WSPs identified the risk of water supplies becoming contaminated during floods due to compromised latrine pits. This led to the upgrade and building of 2,006 double pit latrines for onsite faecal sludge treatment, as well as the installation of 1,140 bio-sand filters, the construction of elevated water storage systems and 1,006 piped connections, and protection measures for 50 community wells. In Kratie and Pursat, community members undertook training to protect 50 wells and safeguard the water quality of five river streams.

This dual focus on infrastructure and capacity building allowed communities to adapt to both immediate and long-term climate challenges.

Women - catalysts of transformative change

From the outset, the CLICR WASH project emphasised gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI), centering women and addressing the needs of marginalised groups to build resilience at every level.

Women, who were trained and supported with technical, leadership, and advocacy skills, are frontline leaders who ensure that climate-resilient and inclusive practices are implemented and sustained. They are the primary contacts for WASH-related initiatives in households, villages, communes, and districts, including:

• 146 volunteers (101 women, 45 men) trained as community mobilisers, trainers, and leaders for menstrual health and hygiene (MHH), climate-resilient WSP, and sanitation systems. They work directly with households, ensuring that vulnerable families, including those considered ‘GEDSI poor’, are included in WASH initiatives.

• 11,000+ women and girls supported with MHH education as a direct result of the training provided to these 146 volunteers. This initiative not only improved health outcomes but also elevated women’s roles as educators and decision-makers.

• Committee for Women and Children (CCWC) and Commune Council members. Women in these leadership roles were supported to advocate for resources, mobilise funding, and oversee project implementation in their areas. Their participation bridged the gap between communities and decision-makers.

• District and provincial officials. Women in district offices and the Provincial Department of Rural Development (PDRD) were equipped with tools to lead policy discussions, monitor WASH systems, and ensure equitable access for all households.

• Water operators managing water systems, who - with support through the project, moved from being technical operators to community leaders, including four women operators who were instrumental in expanding piped water systems to GEDSI households, serving more than 1,000 vulnerable families and improving resilience at the household level.

• Female latrine suppliers and masons, who became champions of climate-resilient construction practices. In Pursat, Kratie and Prey Veng, for instance, they work alongside their male counterparts to ensure that latrines for GEDSI poor households meet inclusive and sustainable standards.

“Having access to clean water since June 2024 has truly changed my family’s life. I no longer have to spend hours pumping water by hand from the well or worry about using water that smelled and had a strange color. Now, I have more time to care for my family and ensure our home is healthier and happier.”

Resident of Tboung Khmum Province

Ms. Lorng from Tboung Khmum Province enjoys having access to clean water

 View more photo updates from Water for Women projects in Cambodia.

The CLICR WASH project didn’t stop at training women. Partners also worked to reshape how communities, decision-makers, private sector partners, and government agencies view and support GEDSI households. This multifaceted approach ensured that women's leadership was reinforced, amplified and retained across the WASH ecosystem. The project prioritised community meetings where women’s voices were not only heard but actively sought out.

Men as allies in GEDSI transformation

A unique strength of the CLICR WASH project was the ability to leverage the largely male team to engage men as allies in promoting gender equity. Male leaders in the private sector, government, and local communities were actively involved in discussions and training sessions, where they were encouraged to:

• Support women in leadership roles and recognise their contributions to community health and resilience
• Integrate GEDSI principles into decision-making and infrastructure development
• Challenge traditional norms and advocate for equitable resource allocation.

Within the traditionally male-dominated Provincial and District Working Groups (PWG/ DWG), male leaders were engaged as allies to support policies that prioritise marginalised households and create pathways for women to lead. Both incorporated GEDSI considerations into their frameworks. This approach not only expanded the reach of GEDSI-focused initiatives but also created a supportive environment where women’s leadership can thrive.

“CR-WSP is an effective approach which can be used to manage WASH risks and plan for delivering CR safe drinking water and safely managed sanitation for marginalised communities including GEDSI poor/ poor households.”

Mr. Kim Hor, Thrive/EMW Country Director

Innovative site-specific technology for resilience

The CLICR WASH project demonstrated how thoughtful design and inclusive approaches can address systemic WASH challenges. The double-pit latrine, designed for flood and drought-prone areas, exemplifies how technical solutions can transform infrastructure, safeguard against water contamination, and protect human and environmental health.

Traditional single-pit latrines pose significant risks in Cambodia’s challenging environments, particularly during flooding, when untreated sludge can contaminate water supplies. The double-pit latrines built through the project require less water for flushing, conserving this critical resource in drought-prone areas, and enable on-site waste treatment, preventing faecal contamination during floods. This design has since been incorporated into national guidelines by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), ensuring continued benefit for communities across Cambodia in similar settings.

Government ownership and institutional change

“It has been a privilege to partner with the CLICR WASH project and previous water and sanitation initiatives through East Meets West Foundation. Our collaboration has not only brought meaningful change to vulnerable communities but has also strengthened our team’s commitment to contributing to such impactful projects. We look forward to working together on more initiatives in the future, bringing lasting benefits to even more people in need.”

Mr. Lim Minh, Executive Director of Cambodian Water Supply Association

The success of the CLICR WASH project is deeply rooted in its partnership with the Cambodian Government. From the MRD to PWG and DWGs, it fostered systemic changes that continue to benefit communities and will well beyond the project’s completion.

A cornerstone of the CLICR WASH program was the strengthening of government platforms at the provincial and district levels. These platforms, particularly the PWGs, PWG Secretariats (PWGSs), and DWGs have become essential mechanisms for resource mobilisation, policy advocacy, and scaling best practices across Cambodia.

At the provincial level, the PDRD played a pivotal role, with the Director serving as the Chair of the PWGS. These quarterly meetings, supported by Thrive/EMW, provided a structured forum to review progress, address challenges, and align resources for WASH initiatives. This coordination not only ensured consistency in implementation but also empowered local officials to lead climate-resilient WASH activities in their communities.

The project’s collaboration with these platforms also directly contributed towards significant financial commitments. In Prey Veng province, 116 communes and Sangkats mobilised commune funds to support climate-resilient WASH activities, including:

• building and upgrading double-pit latrines for GEDSI poor households
• expanding piped water connections to vulnerable families
• providing WASH education on critical practices like using individual glasses for drinking water and washing hands with soap at key times.

The scale of funding mobilised in Prey Veng highlights the project’s impact:

• In 2023, USD 102,630  was allocated for climate-resilient WASH activities across 116 communes.
• In 2024, this amount increased to USD 122,170, with a total expenditure of USD 126,740. This financial commitment demonstrates a strong endorsement from the provincial government and reflects the success of the PWG/PWGS model in aligning local resources with community needs.

Ms Kreang Sreypich, manager of a piped water supply company in rural Prey Veng Province, Cambodia, provides Water for Women partners with a tour of her water treatment plant (Thrive Networks / East Meets West Cambodia)

Ms. Ouk Sareth and her colleagues are introducing MHH to participants (Ms. Thi Tran, Thrive Networks/East Meets West Foundation)

Lessons learnt

Strengthening local governance as a driver for systemic change

The CLICR WASH project demonstrated the power of embedding inclusive, climate-resilient WASH practices into local governance structures, starting at the commune level. Thrive/EMW’s emphasis on capacity-building ensured that commune councils, Commune Committee of Women and Children (CCWC) members, and village leaders were equipped to lead planning, implementation, and advocacy efforts for inclusive WASH.

Commitment to funding GEDSI households pays off

By 2023, commune funds in Prey Veng province mobilised $102,630 to support GEDSI-poor households with latrine upgrades, water connections, and water filters. This increased to $122,170 in 2024, with an actual spending of $126,740—evidence of growing local ownership and prioritisation of inclusive WASH. These efforts contributed to transforming Prey Veng into a province nearing ODF-Plus status, with 80% progress achieved as of December 2024. This milestone is expected to be fully realised by 2025. Prey Veng’s success in mobilising funds and implementing WASH interventions has also inspired other provinces to replicate its approach.

Partnerships amplify impact and widen knowledge sharing

The project’s multi-stakeholder approach ensured that efforts were collaborative and leveraged the expertise of various groups. Partners such as WOMEN, CDPO, and CWA played critical roles in ensuring that the needs of women, people with disabilities, and other marginalised groups were addressed.

Quarterly meetings provide a mechanism for coordination and scale

These meetings facilitated the coordination and mobilisation of resources from commune funds, ensuring that CLICR WASH interventions were well- supported and aligned with broader provincial and national goals. PWG and DWG meetings emerged as critical platforms for fostering collaboration and enabling scale. They are now platforms for sharing best practices, enabling other Provincial Working Group Secretariats (PWGS) to learn from Prey Veng’s experience. The success of Prey Veng’s PWG model in mobilising funds has inspired other provinces to adopt similar approaches. These platforms have become vehicles for scaling inclusive WASH practices nationwide.

The GEDSI SAT/Continuum as a tool for Inclusion

The integration of the GEDSI SAT/Continuum framework was a transformative element of the project, ensuring that inclusivity was embedded into every stage of planning and implementation. Training sessions for government, private sector, and community stakeholders consistently included GEDSI principles. These were reinforced at quarterly PWG/PWGS/DWG meetings, ensuring that inclusion became a standard practice across all levels of governance. Thrive/EMW’s expertise in mainstreaming the GEDSI SAT/Continuum into piped water supply projects gained international recognition, leading to an invitation to present their approach to stakeholders in Lao PDR, including provincial and district authorities and private water operators.

Commitment to capacity-building yields transformative results

Building the capacity of commune councils, female community volunteers, and village leaders required significant investment of time and resources, but the results were transformative. Village leaders and female volunteers conducted extensive outreach and training for GEDSI-poor households, and Commune councils now independently allocate funds for inclusive WASH, ensuring that even the most marginalised communities could access and adopt climate-resilient WASH facilities.

Inclusivity and resilience go hand-in-hand

The CLICR WASH project showcased how climate-resilient WASH infrastructure can simultaneously advance inclusivity:

• Addressing GEDSI Needs - tailored assessment forms ensured that GEDSI-poor households without formal ID cards could access support, addressing a critical barrier to inclusivity.
• Empowering Women - the program trained 358 female volunteers, CCWC members, and local officials as trainers on MHH and community mobilisation, equipping them to lead and educate their communities in managing climate-resilient WASH practices.
• Localised climate-resilient infrastructure - investments in double-pit latrines, bio-sand filters, and rainwater harvesting systems were tailored to meet the unique needs of vulnerable households in both flood- and drought-prone areas.

Looking ahead

Cambodia’s vulnerability to climate risks, particularly flooding and drought, necessitated urgent action to embed climate resilience into WASH systems. However, translating these global challenges into local, actionable steps required a shared understanding and tailored solutions. The CLICR WASH project demonstrated that climate resilience is not a distant goal but a practical and achievable reality when communities are empowered with the tools, knowledge, and support they need.

Thrive Networks / EMW intends to build on the WSPs developed during the project to ensure safe water access for both piped and non-piped communities, and scale double-pit latrine systems, which have transformed sanitation in flood and drought-prone areas, to reach more vulnerable households, and strengthen MHH initiatives. The team also aspires to empower mire women leaders and to deepen their own commitment to water conservation practices, protecting critical resources such as wells, rivers, and streams while promoting community-driven solutions like rainwater harvesting and low-water-use technologies.

Pioneering a model for climate-resilient and inclusive development

The CLICR WASH project’s accomplishments demonstrate how inclusive planning, collaborative partnerships, and systemic governance reforms can create a sustainable foundation for climate-resilient WASH services. By aligning local-level capacity building with national and international frameworks, the project has achieved significant milestones, such as advancing Prey Veng toward ODF-plus status and sharing best practices across Cambodia and beyond. These efforts leave a legacy of transformative change that can inform not only the WASH sector but also broader efforts to address climate resilience and inclusivity in development.

*Phase 1 beneficiaries were calculated from those who achieved WASH access. Extension Phase beneficiaries were calculated from those who achieved WASH access as well as climate change outcomes. Totals were determined based on outcomes reported by individual projects. See Our Impact. 

Feature image: Ms. Chin Leng and her daughter are happy during interview with CLICR WASH project staff about the impact of clean water connection on their family life