MPE supports work in communities affected by development projects because the success or failure of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) depends on meaningful participation of all key stakeholders. USAID-funded Mekong Partnership for the Environment (MPE) in partnership with NGO Forum on Cambodia (NGOF) trained 21 CSO and community representatives at a workshop “Monitoring EIA processes and effective communication,” 7-9 June 2016 in Stung Treng province, Cambodia. The area is seeing the construction of several development projects, including the Lower Sesan 2 dam, which is predicted to affect thousands of villagers and impact fisheries and agriculture.
The workshop – second in a series of two workshops – aimed to strengthen CSOs/NGOs, and community representatives to gain a deeper understanding of the EIA monitoring processes, especially to understand how to monitor Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), the process of involvement in public participation guidelines, compensation policy and other important issues. But the workshop also focused on skills building – helping participants develop effective communication strategies and tools. As well, the training contributed to strengthening their skills on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) – a tool for analysis of environmental impacts and the integration of environmental considerations in strategic planning and decision making.
The participants also had a chance to take a field visit to the Lower Sesan 2 (LS2) Hydropower Dam, Sre Kor Village and a new resettlement area; Kbal Romeas Villages. This gave them a deeper, personal understanding of the Lower Sesan 2 dam and EIA reports. Participants also developed case studies to promote responsible development through EIA and encouraged concerned citizen to be ‘citizen journalists’ in EIA in their areas. MPE expects participants will be using their new skills in upcoming local consultations and development processes, as they engage with governments and business.
The event is part of MPE’s ongoing efforts to bring together regional CSOs to improve their ability to engage in multi-stakeholder processes around development projects. MPE’s regional CSO network works together to engage with government on improving public participation in EIA, and other issues.
This is an outreach announcement from the USAID-funded Mekong Partnership for the Environment (MPE), a key supporter of The Mekong Eye.
