A-SASSY is an EU-funded Project covering 3 South-east Asian Countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines). API is leading the implementation in Cambodia, focusing on educating the Youth on Climate Change and environmental issues and encouraging them to network at local and regional level. In Cambodia, API is the project’s leading implementer in collaboration with University of Management and Economics, Save the Children and Mlub Baitong, thanks to a consultancy contract with BfdW.
The API Project promotes information and education (Environmental Education Program, EEP) amongst the students of 100 high schools and universities, through the distribution of written materials, training of teachers, and online and in person courses for the students. The most active students are encouraged to create climate action groups, the Youth for Sustainable Development (Youth4SDG), to conceptualize and implement activities in favor of the environment.
The A-SASSY Project has successfully contributed to influencing the behaviour and activities of key stakeholders, including government bodies, educators, students, and local organizations, fostering a systemic shift toward integrating climate change and environmental education into Cambodia’s education system. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) has expressed strong interest in the Environmental Education Program (EEP). The MoEYS is collaborating with NGOs and partners to jointly develop the EEP curriculum, roadmap, and a Working Group, ensuring a coordinated approach to integrating environmental education into the national education framework. The EEP materials have been translated into Khmer to enhance their relevance and accessibility for local implementation.
Educators have actively started incorporating EEP modules into their teaching practices, adopting interactive, context-based methods to address climate and environmental issues. Students – particularly those in Youth-for-SDG groups – have demonstrated leadership and ownership by initiating community-based climate action projects, signalling a grassroots commitment to addressing climate challenges through education and youth engagement.
Key achievements include the establishment of eight (8) Youth-for-SDG groups across eight (8) schools and universities in Cambodia, selected from among 100 schools nationwide, involving 236 active members, including 133 girls and women. These groups have successfully led youth-driven local solutions to climate challenges. Moreover, the project fostered partnerships with key organizations, such as UME campuses in Battambang and Kampong Cham, Mlup Baitong (MB), which contributed to implementing activities in these eight schools and universities. This collective effort signifies a growing momentum toward embedding environmental awareness and action within Cambodia’s education system and communities.
The project has laid a robust foundation for long-term sustainability and systemic change. Between January and December 2024, the project reached 4,507 students through 37 webinars and in-person training sessions, with 2,665 participants being girls and women, demonstrating the project’s strong commitment to inclusivity and gender equality.
The translation of three (3) EEP modules covering 15 topics into Khmer ensured that climate education materials were accessible to a wide audience, including students and educators in remote areas. Formal approval letters from provincial authorities in Battambang, Kampong Cham and Tboung Khmum facilitated smooth implementation at the local level, institutionalizing environmental education as a critical component of Cambodia’s national education system.
These outcomes underscore the transformative power of education in driving behavioral change and fostering climate action. The establishment of eight (8) youth-led SDG groups across schools and universities showcases the role of young people as key agents of change, ensuring their active involvement in shaping a sustainable future. By empowering youth and promoting systemic integration of environmental education, the project is creating a ripple effect of sustainable practices that extend beyond schools into communities and society at large.
The success of the A-SASSY project is largely attributable to its strategic activities and partnerships. The Advocacy and Policy Institute (API) played a pivotal role in driving the project forward by coordinating critical meetings with the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MoEYS) and other stakeholders, ensuring policy alignment and approval of key project activities. API facilitated the translation and adaptation of the Environmental Education Program (EEP) modules into Khmer, making them culturally relevant and accessible to educators and students. The organization also supported capacity-building initiatives by organizing grassroots workshops and orientation sessions for teachers, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to effectively implement the EEP.
API’s persistent efforts, including re-submitting the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) multiple times and addressing bureaucratic challenges, were instrumental in securing approvals from MoEYS and provincial authorities. Additionally, API provided technical support for the formation of Youth-for-SDG groups, equipping 236 young members, including 133 girls and women, with leadership and project management skills to tackle climate challenges in their communities. The team also addressed logistical hurdles in Phnom Penh by introducing alternative approaches such as grassroots workshops and enhanced technical support, ensuring widespread participation and inclusivity.
Through these contributions, API successfully bridged the gap between policy, practice, and grassroots implementation, enabling systemic change and building a robust foundation for long-term climate education and youth engagement in Cambodia.
