Chemonics is working with Cambodian partners to unlock the leadership potential of young people across the country. Our approach focuses on:

• Youth Leadership and Innovation: Through a nationwide network of partners, we’ve supported over 450 Cambodian youth across 14 provinces to build leadership skills. Using a Social Lab model—an intensive, cohort-based learning journey—we empower youth to identify local challenges and implement community-driven solutions. Platforms like the Changemakers Social Incubator, hosted by Impact Hub Phnom Penh, bring together youth from diverse backgrounds to co-create solutions for social inclusion. Events such as the Social Hackathon and Project Pitching Exhibition showcase youth innovation and connect them with mentors and funding.
• Education and Youth Employability: Recognizing the importance of digital access and future-ready skills, we partnered with Open Development Cambodia and Glean Asia to establish Digital Youth Clubs and deliver training in media literacy, cybersecurity, and data analysis. These efforts are bridging the digital divide for youth in rural areas while preparing them for meaningful employment opportunities.
• Mentorship and growth pathways: In collaboration with Mekong Inclusive Ventures, Chemonics has supported youth with disabilities through human-centered design workshops, mentorship, and leadership training, equipping them to lead accessibility and inclusion efforts in their communities. We complement this with structured growth pathways that connect youth to peer networks, technical support, and platforms for visibility—ensuring their leadership is sustained and scalable.
• Capacity building for underrepresented groups: To expand youth-led impact, we awarded 22 grants totaling nearly $1.5 million to 19 local organizations. These grants support initiatives in environmental protection, inclusive education, public safety, and digital access—demonstrating how targeted investment, paired with technical support, can unlock youth potential. Beyond funding, we provide grantees with mentorship, visibility, and access to networks that help scale their solutions and deepen community impact.

By investing in the leadership, creativity, and resilience of Cambodia’s youth—especially those from diverse and underrepresented communities—we are helping to build a more inclusive, equitable, and vibrant future.

• More than 450 youth have completed leadership programs and implemented 12 youth-led community projects in Phnom Penh alone—ranging from revitalizing public spaces to launching inclusive job platforms.
• Youth from Indigenous, ethnic Vietnamese, Cham Muslim, and other minority communities are now actively shaping local development agendas.
• More than 60 youth have joined Digital Youth Clubs, gaining skills in digital security, media literacy, and civic tech.
• 25 youth with disabilities have participated in leadership programs, with tailored mentorship and inclusive project design support.
• Events like International Youth Day 2024 and the Changemaker Social Hackathon have elevated youth voices and celebrated their contributions to Cambodia’s development.