Project Summary
The BUILD project empowers women and marginalised groups in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to lead climate-resilient shelter initiatives through inclusive, community-driven processes.
Women-led community action groups are being formed and mobilised to identify and implement priority household and community-level interventions that reduce vulnerabilities. The project also supports safe and resilient housing, water and sanitation facilities and alternative livelihood opportunities for sustainability.
By engaging local authorities and stakeholders, the project ensures that community priorities are understood and better supported. Over three years, BUILD advocates for better integration of gender equality, climate adaptation and safe housing into local and national development priorities.
Project Need
Communities in Siem Reap face a complex set of challenges that threaten safety, stability and future prospects. Increasing flooding and prolonged droughts, combined with inadequate housing, make households particularly vulnerable to climate-related disasters.
Women, particularly those heading households, encounter additional barriers to being safe from disasters. Social norms and systemic inequalities restrict their access to resources, decision-making and safe shelter conditions.
Project Activities
The project strengthens climate resilience through community-led approaches, including:
- Mobilising and training with community members on climate-resilient shelter and preparedness
- Supporting housing and community infrastructure improvements
- Facilitating dialogues between communities and government to improve responsiveness to local priorities
Impact
The BUILD project will improve the climate resilience of more than 3,000 people. Women will be empowered to lead climate adaptation and shelter planning, while vulnerable families gain safe, environmentally sustainable housing. Home-based livelihoods will be supported through microgrants and training to enhance long-term sustainability of impacts.
By strengthening women-led community groups and partnering with the government, BUILD will influence climate policies to better reflect gender and shelter needs, driving broader, lasting change.
This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and implemented in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Cambodia.
Learn more at What we do overseas – Habitat for Humanity Australia.
