- Our office: Phnom Penh
- Our areas of focus: Climate action and resilience, youth empowerment and skills-building
- Our partners: Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
About our work
We’ve delivered creative communication projects in Cambodia since 2003 in areas including health, sexual and reproductive rights, and youth participation. In recent years, we’ve focused strongly on perhaps the most pressing issue facing the country: climate change and extreme weather.
We conducted research in 2018 to understand how Cambodians are experiencing these weather changes and found they reported perceived impacts on their health, food security, and livelihoods. The findings informed our 2019 television series, Don’t Wait For Rain, which improved knowledge of climate risks and encouraged audiences to make easy, affordable changes to cope with extreme weather.
We have worked with UN Women examining the different impacts of climate change and extreme weather on women and girls – who are more vulnerable due to structural and social barriers, including increased care burdens and workloads, and poverty. And we have conducted further research for the into knowledge, attitudes and practices around climate change, to inform our future programming and the wider sector.
Beyond climate, our vibrant, energetic and digitally savvy team have been delivering Klahan9 since 2014. An innovative multimedia project, Klahan9 (which means ‘brave’) is helping to empower young Cambodians.
Between 2014 and 2021, our initial Klahan9 work focused on livelihoods. Through a popular youth-led TV show, Klahan9 House, outreach events and popular social media content, we provided young people with informative and entertaining content that reached millions – 47% of all 15-24 year olds. Our research showed Klahan9 equipped them with knowledge around jobs and livelihoods, provided inspiring role models and motivated young people to take practical actions towards their futures.
Since 2021, Klahan9 has been supporting youth civic engagement, equipping young people with the networks, knowledge and skills they need, and enhancing the conditions for them to use them. Informed by a comprehensive research study and working with partners across the country, our multiplatform SPACE project uses media production and community outreach to support youth participation and discussion with decision-makers and parents. We are also strengthening the provision of public interest media in Cambodia, and increasing its representation of young people.
Latest news from Cambodia
Our projects in Cambodia
-
Whatever the weather: Helping Cambodians adapt to climate change
We're helping vulnerable Cambodians adapt their lives and livelihoods to cope with the increasing severity of weather events through our TV documentary series, Don't Wait For Rain. -
Brave young dreams: improving employment prospects for young people in Cambodia
Klahan9 is an ‘edu-tainment’ multimedia initiative using radio, TV and social media to help equip young people in Cambodia for working life. -
Inspiring youth to discuss sexual health in Cambodia
Love9 was a youth-led health project for young people in Cambodia. TV and radio programmes as well as online resources help young people learn more about everyday sexual and reproductive health topics. -
Maternal and child health in Cambodia
A TV advert featuring a catchy song encouraged children to wash their hands.
Our insight and impact
Use our research library-
How media engages young people and parents in youth civic engagement in Cambodia
This research sought to understand the influence of our multi-media content and activities on the Klahan9 SPACE project. We found there has been an increase in civic participation amongst people most engaged with Klahan9. -
INSIGHT: Understanding young people’s civic engagement in Cambodia
After more than a decade of supporting young people in Cambodia, we wanted to understand the drivers and barriers to civic engagement. Find out how. -
Research briefing: What is life like for young Cambodians and how are they participating in civic life?
As part of a wider study through the Klahan9 project, this research sought to find out about the lives of young Cambodians, including what their key values are and how they participate in civic life. -
Research briefing: Understanding how young Cambodians use media and information
As part of a wider study through the Klahan9 project, this research sought to find out about the lives of young Cambodians, including how they use and access media and information. -
Research report: How climate change impacts women
Our research for UN Women Cambodia explores how women and men experience the impact of climate change, and how gender norms influence their ability to respond. -
Research summary: How can reality-based TV and Facebook content improve young Cambodians' readiness for the job market?
How ´óÏó´«Ã½ Media Action is using reality-based TV and Facebook content to improve young people’s soft skills and equip them for the job market in Cambodia. -
Research report: How the people of Cambodia live with climate change and what communication can do
A survey exploring how Cambodians are living with climate change, the most effective ways to help people adapt and how media and communication can provide support. -
Research summary: Loving Love9
Research exploring how Love9 - a weekly TV and radio show for young people in Cambodia - influenced knowledge, attitudes and discussion around sexual health. -
My Media Action films: Ros Marie, Cambodia
´óÏó´«Ã½ Media Action's radio and television shows for young people in Cambodia have encouraged them to get involved in their country's future. -
Research report: Loy9 - Reaching and engaging the Cambodian youth audience on issues of civic participation
This research explores the impact of the multimedia project Loy9 on young people's attitudes towards civic participation in Cambodia. -
Research summary: Malaria communication project Cambodia
A research summary reporting on the impact of a series of films and public service announcements produced by ´óÏó´«Ã½ Media Action to reinforce the understanding of malaria prevention in Cambodia. -
Research summary: Cambodia Loy9
Research summary about a multimedia initiative to increase young people's participation in public life.
Past projects and resources
-
'Bright Spots' inspire young Cambodians in Loy9 show
Loy9 aimed to increase young people's participation in public life.