Cambodia has the youngest population in Southeast Asia. One in five Cambodians is aged between 15 and 24, and almost two-thirds of the population is under 30. Nearly 80% of the Cambodian population live in rural areas, as do the majority of these young people, who work mainly in the agricultural sector. While employment in agriculture fell from 70% to 26% between 2007 and 2017, agriculture remains the main source of income for young Cambodians living in rural areas, and it is still central in economic activity and food security.

However, many young people are turning away from rural occupations, and a phenomenon of rural exodus to cities and outward migration of young people has been observed over recent decades. This is due to the fact that they perceive rural occupations as unattractive (limited income, few prospects for professional advancement, isolation, arduous work, limited access to essential services, etc.). Rural young people also face a number of difficulties: they have difficulty accessing land of sufficient size for farming, are not taken into account in land ownership and distribution agreements, have limited access to financial services as they are considered riskier clients than older farmers, and they lack knowledge of how markets work.

Project Intervention

The ESYPA project, with an 18-month activity period in the Damdek area in Siem Reap province, aims to empower and strengthen young people’s capacities and their active participation in agriculture events, social issues, civic matters, and ecological transition. Through the project activities, young people’s capacities will be strengthened, and their voices will be heard in decision-making processes via forums, events, workshops, and consultation bodies.