Grant Partners: Southeast Asia

Cambodia Indigenous Women Association, Cambodia

Cambodian Indigenous Women Association (CIWA) was founded in 2019 at the initiative of 37 indigenous women and 7 men, as an organization committed to gender equity and the protection of fundamental rights of indigenous women. Their goal is building the capacity of indigenous women to lead and take ownership of development processes in Cambodian indigenous communities and society at large.

Partner Since 2022
2024 Grant Award: $8,500
Grant Goals: Develop a network of indigenous women associations; facilitate women empowerment and their representation at the local and nation level; and provide legal assistance to indigenous women and rights-defenders.

Cambodia Indigenous Youth Association, Cambodia

Cambodia Indigenous Youth Association (CIYA) was established in 2005 and officially recognized by the Ministry of Interior of Cambodia in 2008. CIYA was established by a group of Indigenous students who came to Phnom Penh for their higher education. Their goals were to create a place they could live and study together in the crowded but lonely city, help each other in their studies, and share ideas about the current situation of the country and its Indigenous communities. The group also seeks to encourage other Indigenous youth to pursue their studies, from primary level to the university level, and to share each other’s culture, traditions and Indigenous peoples’ knowledge. CIYA students are also involved with community activities such as advocacy for Indigenous people’s rights to land, natural resources management and self-determination. CIYA works to increase Indigenous peoples’ knowledge and human resources so they have a greater capacity to support the needs of their communities.

Partner Since 2020
2024 Grant Award: $8,500
Grant Goals: Support the development of indigenous youth associations from the local to national level; support youth initiatives (savings group, art group, animal husbandry, cultivation, crafts, and ecotourism); organize youth groups and facilitate them to join the community activities; and build youth leadership capacity.

FORTUNE, Thailand

FORTUNE, a grassroots organization in Fang District in Northern Thailand, is the newest partner in Southeast Asia. It was founded in 2009. Its mission is to address the community and human rights needs of Myanmar ethnic migrant workers (many undocumented) who live and work in migrant camps on agricultural farms along the Thai-Myanmar border. FORTUNE was created, developed and is staffed by members of the migrant community it serves.

Partner Since 2023
2024 Grant Award: $8,700
Grant Goals: Provide support to Myanmar refugees and migrant workers living in Thailand.

Green Community Volunteers, Laos

Green Community Volunteers (GCV) was founded in 2009, and operates in Luang Prabang Province in North Central Laos. GCV is the only local group in Laos that has been founded and run by indigenous women and it seeks to empower communities on environmental issues such as biodiversity preservation through art and cultural exchanges. Earth Rights International first introduced Pangea to the work of GCV.

Partner Since 2022
2024 Grant Award: $6,100
Grant Goals: Build leadership capacity for indigenous youth and women to advocate for environmental issues, land rights, and food security; provide training on sustainable agriculture and women’s health issues.
Visit the Green Community Volunteers Website

Muditar, Myanmar

Muditar was founded in 2009 and works in 15 villages in Southern Shan State, Myanmar. It operates a successful Village Development Model that uses a collaborative approach in rural villages. Muditar assists villages to create sustainable programs in health, education, socio-economic development, and infrastructure. It focuses on women’s empowerment and leadership through women’s self-help groups and savings circles. Muditar has continued its work in spite of the violence and challenges resulting from the military coup.

Partner Since 2019
2024 Grant Award: $6,200
Grant Goals: Continue to develop and strengthen the Village Development Model; empowerment of women through strengthening the capacity of self-help groups including a women-led saving fund; support development of reproductive health programs and income generating projects.

Recent Past Partners

Women Peace Makers – Cambodia