Cambodia's Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ Project Gains Community Consensus on Project Adjustments

In Cambodia's Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary, spanning Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri provinces, 16 target villages have formally agreed to proposed adjustments for the REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) project. This consensus marks a significant step in ensuring community involvement and transparency in the project's ongoing development. During June and July 2026, NatureLife Cambodia, in collaboration with local authorities, the Provincial Departments of Environment in Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri, and local communities, organized consultative meetings across the 16 target villages. These consultations focused on informing the communities and stakeholders about revised project plans and adjusted project site locations, while also providing an avenue for their input and feedback. The primary objectives of these consultations were fourfold: to inform communities about project adjustments and revised site boundaries; to explain the reasons and key factors behind the proposed changes; to provide updated information on the REDD+ project's progress and its certification process with Verra; and to offer stakeholders opportunities to ask questions, express opinions, and offer recommendations. A total of 2,419 participants, including 1,664 women, attended the consultations in the 16 target villages. Through these meetings, community members gained a clearer understanding of the project's current status, the Verra certification process, the Grievance and Redress Mechanism (FGRP), and the proposed project adjustments. They also had the chance to review and discuss the outcomes of past environmental, social, and economic impact assessments and received clarifications from the project team and relevant stakeholders. Following the consultation process, community members from the 16 target villages provided their consent for the adjustments to the Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ project, meeting the minimum participation requirements set for each village. This outcome is deemed a crucial step in guaranteeing meaningful participation, transparency, and community involvement in the continued development of the Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ project. The initiative aims to protect forests, support local livelihoods, and strengthen climate action within the sanctuary. Source: AKP Khmer