Client: Care Cambodia

Duration: Oct-Dec 2025

Summary project

comprehensive Baseline Evaluation combined with a Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Analysis for the Mekong Elevate Project (2025–2029). The project focuses on strengthening the climate resilience of upland ethnic minority (EM) communities in Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri—particularly EM women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Project Context: Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri are home to diverse ethnic minority groups (Bunong, Jarai, Kreung, Tampuan, Kavet, Prov) who depend heavily on natural resources and face increasing climate risks, such as drought, flooding, fires, and deforestation. Social inequalities—including limited voice for women, exclusion of youth, and stigma against people with disabilities—further reduce community resilience. Mekong Elevate aims to strengthen:

• Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adoption
• Community‑based safety nets to cope with climate shocks
• Inclusive participation in climate-related decision‑making processes

The baseline study had two primary aims:

1. Establish baseline values for all indicators in the project’s Logical Framework and MEAL Framework to track change over the project cycle.
2. Conduct a GEDSI Analysis to assess the barriers, opportunities, and enabling conditions affecting EM women, youth, and people with disabilities, ensuring the project is inclusive and responsive.

These insights guide adaptive management and improve project strategies to ensure equitable participation and benefit-sharing among marginalized groups.

The project supports CARE and partners to:

• Understand pre‑intervention conditions in EM communities
• Identify structural, cultural, and economic barriers affecting women, youth, and persons with disabilities
• Adjust project strategies to ensure inclusive, climate‑resilient development
• Strengthen monitoring and evidence-based decision-making

Ultimately, the baseline provides a strong foundation for measuring MekongElevate’s impact and ensuring that no group is left behind in climate resilience efforts.