The Cambodia Civil Society Support (CSS) activity is designed to create an improved enabling environment for civil society, build increased cooperation and collaboration among civil society organizations (CSOs), and enhance innovative approaches for policy engagement and influence. The CSS vision is that when the project concludes, CSOs will have strong networks of cooperating and collaborating partners, an improved enabling environment for their operation, and strategic communication and policy-influencing tools and approaches to engage more effectively for civic space and inclusive governance.

CSS is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented by FHI 360 in partnership with the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law. To expand civic space, CSS’s cluster support model will provide Cambodian civil society with the tools and opportunities to convene the media, the private sector and marginalized or vulnerable groups to act in support of common agendas; improve the operating environment for civil society through legal assistance and advice; develop innovative tools and approaches to improve strategic planning, advocacy and organizing; and promote learning through a sustainable platform that supports knowledge-sharing across cluster themes.

CSS will ensure that the project is relevant to and inclusive of a broad cross-section of Cambodia’s population and includes a diverse set of actors by integrating the principles of inclusivity, mentorship, risk management, private sector engagement and COVID-19 responses into the project design.