The Mekong and its tributaries are vital to the unique flow dynamics that support the productivity of agriculture and fisheries in the Mekong and Tonle Sap. Subsistence and larger-scale fishing on the Tonle Sap are also important to the domestic economy. The impacts of upstream development on the natural flow of the Mekong, and the flow-on effects for livelihoods, nutrition, and the economy, are therefore a significant concern. Upstream dams are already contributing to higher-than-normal flood levels in the wet season and water shortages in the dry season, poor water quality, and degradation of fisheries. Fisheries have been affected by changing river flows in the Mekong and Tonle Sap Lake, partly linked to the impacts of hydropower dams and other factors. There are limited opportunities and little consideration for affected communities and civil society organizations to provide inputs to make inclusive decisions of building hydropower projects.

The Inclusion Project - Phase 2 (2020 – 2024) works with vulnerable communities and civil society to ensure continued access to essential riverine aquatic resource and ecosystems services to sustain their livelihoods, health and well-being. The project is built upon the achievements, recommendations and priorities of the project partners, and strengthen civil society actor cooperation in Cambodia and at the regional level to influence decision- and policymakers.

Geographical areas

Mekong (Kratie, Stung Treng Provinces), 3S Region (Ratanakiri Province), Tonle Sap and National and Regional Level.

Goal

More sustainable livelihoods of communities through continued access to Mekong riverine resources and its ecosystems services.

Objective

More informed, transparent, and accountable water resource governance (WRG) and Renewable Energy (RE) infrastructure decision making in the Lower Mekong and its Tributaries

Outcomes

  • Increased capacity and voices of Mekong riverine community women leaders, youth, indigenous people in water resource governance decision making process
  • More cooperative and inclusive CSO enenagement in national and regional policy dialogues on Mekong Water Governance
  • More Sustainable Renewable Energy alteravtive policies adopted

Target and Beneficiaries

Affected communities (with a focus on vulnerable groups: women, indigenous people, people with disabilities); hydropower companies and RE companies; the media and the general public.