USAID Cambodia Supporting Forests and Biodiversity Project Quarterly Report No. 11: April 1– June 30, 2015

The project, implemented by Winrock International, has a duration of November 9, 2012, to November 8, 2016, and covers the Eastern Plains Landscape (Mondulkiri province) and Prey Lang Landscape (Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, and Kratie provinces). The project's objectives are threefold: to strengthen the capacity of local communities and government agencies to manage and conserve forests and biodiversity, to promote sustainable forest management and eco-tourism, and to support the development of community-based forest management plans. To achieve these objectives, the project has established partnerships with various organizations, including the Forestry Administration, the General Department for Administration of Nature Conservation and Protection, and several non-governmental organizations. During the reporting period of April 1 to June 30, 2015, the project made significant progress in implementing its activities. The project's staff conducted training sessions for local communities on sustainable forest management and eco-tourism, and provided technical assistance to the Forestry Administration and other government agencies. The project also supported the development of community-based forest management plans and promoted the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for forest management. The project's gender mainstreaming efforts were also highlighted during this reporting period. The project's staff conducted a training needs assessment for key partners and identified areas for training on gender capacity. The project also supported the development of a gender strategy and provided training to staff on mainstreaming gender into field activities. In terms of monitoring and evaluation, the project revised its Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (PMEP) and updated its database to track progress and outcomes. The project also conducted a midterm evaluation to assess its progress and identify areas for improvement. Overall, the Supporting Forests and Biodiversity Project in Cambodia has made significant progress in implementing its activities and achieving its objectives. The project's efforts to strengthen the capacity of local communities and government agencies, promote sustainable forest management and eco-tourism, and support the development of community-based forest management plans are critical to conserving and sustainably managing Cambodia's forests and biodiversity. The project's geographic focus is on the Eastern Plains Landscape and Prey Lang Landscape, which are critical areas for forest conservation and biodiversity protection. The project's implementation details include training sessions for local communities, technical assistance to government agencies, and support for the development of community-based forest management plans. The project's timeframes are from November 9, 2012, to November 8, 2016, with a reporting period of April 1 to June 30, 2015. The project's recommendations for future activities include continuing to strengthen the capacity of local communities and government agencies, promoting sustainable forest management and eco-tourism, and supporting the development of community-based forest management plans.