In the remote districts of Pursat province, where many people with disabilities live in conditions of poverty and vulnerability, the Disability Development Services Program (DDSP), with support from PAfID and funding from the Global Greengrants Fund, is making significant strides in bringing climate action closer to those often left behind.
As part of PAfID’s broader objective to ensure women with disabilities are central to Cambodia’s climate strategies, DDSP has served as a crucial local implementing partner; transforming national commitments into grassroots action. In the first half of 2025, DDSP delivered a series of inclusive climate-related activities that empowered rural women with disabilities to become informed, engaged, and visible actors in their communities.
A key milestone was the development and rollout of climate change and disaster risk reduction (DRR) training tailored for persons with disabilities, particularly women. One such session, held in March 2025, gathered 43 women with disabilities from Bakan and Krong Pursat districts for an intensive training on leadership, advocacy, and climate resilience. Participants gained not only environmental awareness but also critical soft skills; learning how to lead discussions, facilitate group work, and communicate effectively on issues affecting their communities. This capacity-building effort is cultivating a new generation of climate advocates among women with disabilities.
In parallel, DDSP conducted Hazard Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments (HVCAs) across three communes, actively involving persons with disabilities, most of whom were women. These assessments served as the basis for advocating with local authorities to integrate climate and DRR concerns into Commune Investment Plans (CIPs); a process that had historically excluded disability perspectives. Thanks to this initiative, local climate resilience plans are now beginning to reflect the realities and needs of persons with disabilities for the first time at this level of planning.
DDSP’s approach also bridged practical action with advocacy. Women-led household gardening adapted to changing climate conditions was piloted in 18 households. These home gardens not only supported food security but also demonstrated adaptive techniques that could be scaled across rural areas. Through this initiative, women with disabilities are no longer seen solely as vulnerable; they are becoming recognized as agents of resilience and innovation.
This case illustrates the power of collaboration and strategic funding. PAfID’s technical guidance and GGF’s flexible support have enabled DDSP to adapt national-level climate priorities into inclusive, localized models of action; grounded in the leadership of women with disabilities. These efforts are not only transforming communities but also shaping policy dialogue at the local level, bringing us closer to a future where climate action truly leaves no one behind.