Opportunity Case 3: Livelihood Resilience in Rural Villages

Project Objective

The objectives of the project are:

• Generate independent, high-quality research papers: Our primary goal is to produce research papers of the highest calibre, grounded in scientific evidence and that serve as influential tools shaping the policy-making landscape in Cambodia.

• Improve and expand dissemination of research findings: We aim to effectively communicate research outcomes, tailoring our messages not only through traditional publications but also for wider audiences, utilising mediums like infographics and blogs to ensure that our research is accessible and engaging for readers from various backgrounds.

• Advocate for evidence-based and inclusive policymaking: By creating an inclusive platform, we will foster policy discussions involving diverse stakeholders, ranging from national-level decision-makers to the intended beneficiaries with a focus on the Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) lens.

• Strengthen CDRI’s capacity in research communication for impact: To enhance CDRI’s capabilities in research communication by developing innovative and inclusive communication materials, as well as fostering policy dialogues that encourage active participation from all stakeholders.

Project Description

CDRI has been conducting the Moving out of Poverty (MOP) survey since 1996/1997 in 3 village household samples and this sample have been extended 11 villages across 7 provinces by 2020. CDRI surveys the same 1000 households every three years to track the poverty dynamics across the five main regions of Cambodia. This rare longitudinal dataset is perhaps the only panel data available in Cambodia. Even the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) has not undertaken such a comprehensive longitudinal study. CDRI is currently considering expanding the scope and geographic coverage of this longitudinal survey and planning to analyse the data to understand the resilience of rural livelihood over the two decades in the face of the Globe Financial Crisis in 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, in addition to other local shocks. CDRI will also seek to understand how social capital, climate change and natural disasters affect their livelihoods and incorporate gendered analysis to understand how the impact varies by female-headed and male-headed households. This initiative aligns with CDRI’s goal to establish this survey as a flagship study, with costs shared among collaborators such as SIDA and other development partners. A portion of the data will be utilized for research under Ponlok Chomnes II.