Strategic Urgent Support for Transformation & Institutional Needs (SUSTAIN)
The project reinforces the most important activities of civil society organizations in a difficult political and financial context. The EU, Ireland and Switzerland through DanChurchAid support these organizations in their efforts to promote human rights, press freedom, and civic engagement and to develop strategies for their sustainability. The project contributes to Switzerland's objective to maintain a space for civil society and to allow citizens to actively participate in their development processes.
| Región/País | Tema | Período | Presupuesto |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Camboya |
Governance
Derechos humanos (incluidos los derechos de las mujeres)
Medios y libertad de información Participación democrática y sociedad civil |
01.07.2025
- 31.12.2026 |
CHF 665’000
|
- Approximately 8,000 vulnerable local communities, including those affected by land grabbing, labour exploitation, and trafficking.
- Approximately 6,000 individuals promoting fundamental rights, such as journalists, activists, union workers, and community leaders.
- 90 staff from the CSOs who are co-applicants and Organizations receiving support through the mechanism of Financial Support to Thrid Parties (FSTP).
- Individuals will be directly reached online by the activities of 6 out of 8 co-applicants.
- Media organisations in Cambodia produce credible news on critical social issues and human rights, documenting violations to support advocacy and protection efforts. This enhances community knowledge and capacity to advocate for their rights, while ongoing advocacy promotes human rights and freedom of expression.
- CSOs activists, and those affected by human rights violations have access to financial aid, psychosocial care, legal assistance, and other support, ensuring their safety, and enabling affective advocacy.
- The project enhances CSOs organizational capacity, fosters strategic collaboration, improves fundraising and financial sustainability, and enables community-driven initiatives for a more resilient and adapte civil society.
- Other international or foreign NGO North
- DanChurchAid (DCA)
-
Sector según clasificación del comité de ayuda al desarrollo de la OCDE GOBIERNO Y SOCIEDAD CIVIL
GOBIERNO Y SOCIEDAD CIVIL
GOBIERNO Y SOCIEDAD CIVIL
Sub-Sector según clasificación del comité de ayuda al desarrollo de la OCDE Derechos humanos
Medios y libertad de información
Participación democrática y sociedad civil
Temas transversales Derechos humanos
El proyecto apoya fundamentalmente mejoras en la organización contraparte
Tipo de ayuda Contribución a proyectos y programas
Número de proyecto 7F11578
| Contexto | Cambodia has seen a significant decrease in civic space with more pressure and scruting targeting civil society groups and human rights defenders who speak out for rights and democracy. In addition to the growing pressure faced by civil society, the rapidly shrinking pool of funding for human rights initiatives has placed many organizations in an incresingly precarious position. In 2024, SIDA, a key long-time supporter of many local NGOs focused on human rights in Cambodia, announced its withdrawal of funding from country. In January 2025, funding previously approved under USAID, in Cambodia and globally, was cancelled. This has left immediate and critical funding gaps for a significant number of Local NGOs in Cambodia, especially those working on human rights. |
| Objetivos | To maintain and strengthen the vital role of human rights-focused organizations in defending communities and promoting democracy, human rights, press freedom, and civic participation through integrated support in media, legal services, advocacy, and capacity development. |
| Grupos destinarios |
Direct beneficiaries: Around 14,000 people Indirect beneficiaries: Around 500,000 people |
| Efectos a medio plazo |
Outcome 1: Promotion of human rights knowledge and awareness through media, documentation and advocacy towards fostering a more informed, engaged society with access to reliable and independent information. Outcome 2: Maintain the essential protection of human rights defenders, journalists, activists, and people affected by human right violation by strengthening their resilience and improving overall adherence to proection of human rights. Outcome 3: CSOs have strengthened their resilience and sustainability by prioritizing key programs, securing alternative funding, and driving innovative, community-driven solutions, fostering synergies. |
| Resultados |
Resultados previstos: Resultados de las fases anteriores: This project is not a continuation of a previous one, but a strategic response to shrinking civic space and declining human rights funding in Cambodia. DCA has a strong track record of working with the eight co-applicants, including leading a USAID project between 202-2024, where all co-applicants participated, and which focused on protecting human rights in Cambodia, particularly economic, social, cultural, and civil rights. DCA supported partners in building organizational capacity and trust, enhancing civil society's resilience. A key lessons was the value of strong, trusted networks, an asset that will be crucial to the success of the SUSTAIN Project. |
| Dirección / Officina Federal responsable |
COSUDE |
| Contrapartes del proyecto |
Contraparte del contrato ONG internacional o extranjera |
| Coordinación con otros proyectos y actores |
Co-funders: EU and Irish Co-applicants: ADHOC, LICADHO, CCHR, CamboJA, CCIM, CENTRAL, EC, and STT |
| Presupuesto | Fase en curso Presupuesto suizo CHF 665’000 Presupuesto actual suizo ya emitido CHF 0 Presupuesto inclusive contrapartes del proyecto CHF 1’686’250 Total del proyecto desde la primera fase Presupuesto suizo CHF 0 Presupuesto inclusive contrapartes del proyecto CHF 665’000 |
| Fases del proyecto | Fase 1 01.07.2025 - 31.12.2026 (Fase en curso) |
