Impact Story: My Village Organization

My Village Organization (MVI) is a recognized NGO operating in Northeast provinces of Cambodia, working for indigenous peoples' rights and natural resources management. MVI’s mission is to improve livelihood of indigenous communities through community organizing and strengthening on natural resource management. Within McKnight’s Southeast Asia program, MVI has received general operating support for their Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Community Livelihood Development programs in Mondulkiri province.

In the Pou Less Village in Mondulkiri province, the forest is a key resource. It supports the livelihoods of more than 600 community members and it is a symbol of the community’s cultural identity. In 2010, the Cambodian government’s National Development Plan in collaboration with a Korean company cleared six of 15 hectares of the Pou Less community’s forest to develop a rubber plantation. Concerned about the impact this would have on the community, the Pou Less’ Bounong Development Active Member (BDAM) group, which had been established the previous year with the help of MVI, facilitated a meeting with village elders and community members. The BDAM group responded to the issue by submitting a complaint letter to local authorities, Forestry Administration Cantonment, and commune district and provincial councils. Meetings were conducted with the commune district and provincial authorities, NGOs, community members, and the owners of the Korean Company. Eventually, through successful advocacy, it was agreed that the six hectares of forest would be returned to the Pou Less Village and the Korean company would compensate them for the loss of natural resources.

MVI was able to support Pou Less Village in achieving this result through partnerships and financial support from donors, including McKnight. With ongoing support, MVI is able to work at the grassroots level to support and empower indigenous communities in Cambodia’s northeastern provinces to protect, sustainably manage, and improve their livelihoods from community forestry resources.