PROJECT UPDATE
Project Overview
This initiative supported the Cambodia Mine Action Authority (CMAA) in strengthening its resource mobilization efforts to accelerate mine clearing.
Project Profile
The Technical Assistance Partnership–Expert Deployment Mechanism (TAP-EDM) project, in collaboration with one of Canada’s top landmine clearance experts, Patrick Fruchet, is helping Cambodia explore innovative financing strategies to meet its mine-clearing targets by 2025.CMAA is the government authority responsible for victim assistance, mine action and mine clearing management across Cambodia. Twenty-three hundred (2300) square kilometres of land have been cleared of mines in Cambodia since 1992. 2000 sq km of farm, industrial, and multi-purpose land remains “contaminated,” causing immense social, health/safety, and economic hardships for the communities surrounding these areas. The goal is to clear 800 sq km of known mine-contaminated areas by 2025.
Counseling CMAA on their current resource mobilization strategy, Patrick’s work involves (i) researching potential public financing models and approaches and (ii) technical and advisory support to CMAA through its Secretary General to engage with a range of different funders at the Ottawa Treaty States Parties meetings (November 2022) and intersessional meetings (June 2023) held in Geneva each year. Cambodia hopes to accelerate its mine-clearing program through this approach and with these additional captured resources.
The work also entails technical support to CMAA as they update Cambodia’s existing resource mobilization strategy and annual plan with new financing programs.
Key Deliverables
- Capacity Support and Training
- Resourcing packages and training/workshops on demining technology and financing options for CMAA delivered
- Technical Support and Knowledge Products
- Performed a needs assessment and desk review
- Drafted talking points and speeches for interactions with international officials
- Delivered briefings on international best practices in fundraising
- Reviewed CMAA operational plans and metrics
- Provided coaching while attending international mine action meetings with donor country representatives
- Prepared positioning work, including a capstone resource mobilization positioning paper
- Resource mobilization action plan drafted
- Donor communication materials prepared and tailored
- Demining financing map created
- CMAA Resource Mobilization Strategy co-reviewed and revised
- Undertook ‘Business intelligence’ regarding donors at the Geneva Conference
Project Outcomes and Lessons Learned
The project improved the capacity of NGEs in ODA-eligible countries to develop national policies and programs that advance GE, environmental sustainability, and human rights. This TAI contributed to the development of the new capacity of CMAA/GoC to manage its mine action processes more effectively, efficiently, and precisely by improving its mining data management systems.
A key lesson learned was that including both training and leadership coaching can positively influence project outcomes and meet expectations.
Reach and Engagement
Direct Project Reach:
- 33 Canadians reached through activities conducted and project deliverables
Public Engagement Activities:
- Canadian expert Patrick Fruchet participated in:
- A high-profile outreach event, which was featured in a TAP website article: Leading Cambodia’s Final Efforts to Clear Landmines from the Khmer Rouge Era. The article was followed by social media posts, which were reshared by Mines Action Canada.
