Cambodia's PEARL Project Prioritizes Community Voices for Sustainable Forest Management

In Cambodia's Kampong Thom and Preah Vihear provinces, the FAO-supported PEARL Project has been engaging in consultations with local communities, indigenous peoples, and relevant authorities. A series of meetings held from September 7 to 12, 2026, reaffirmed the crucial role of community voices in sustainable forest management. The project team is collaborating with communities to identify potential environmental and social risks. Feedback from women, youth, vulnerable groups, and indigenous peoples is being gathered to develop plans aimed at avoiding or mitigating negative impacts. This is part of the 'free, prior, and informed consent' process, ensuring that stakeholders fully understand and agree to planned activities before implementation. Furthermore, a 'grievance redress mechanism' has been introduced, providing a channel for residents to raise concerns or file complaints regarding project activities. Supported by the Green Climate Fund, the project aims to ensure that forest-related activities do not adversely affect the population or the environment. It seeks to empower smallholder farmer communities with a voice in decisions concerning their forest resources, ensuring that project support yields long-term benefits for both people and nature. Special attention is given to ensuring women benefit equitably from these efforts. This initiative highlights the indispensability of a community-led approach in the utilization and conservation of forest resources in Cambodia. The collaboration between international organizations and local communities marks a significant step towards achieving sustainable development goals.