The Cambodia Indigenous Youth Association (CIYA) was established by a group of Cambodian Indigenous Students in Phnom Penh in 2005 and was officially recognized by the Royal Government of Cambodia (Ministry of Interior) in 08 August 2008.

The purpose of formulating this group is to mobilize indigenous youth to work together and actively in participation the social network in the city and their communities, and build them to act within their peer groups of friendships and serve their community in the future.

As the number of indigenous students in Phnom Penh has been increasing from time to time, the members of CIYA also increase which also expands out to the provinces, particularly in north and northeast Cambodia.​​

The CIYA was the first of it’s kind when it was established back in 2008.Since that time it has become the most popular and professional youth mobilize engagement and portal in Cambodia that offers the most legitimate provided available in the country.

From 2009, with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF), CIYA was granted an office space and a strong operation unit to support the association programs and its members. HBF has also provided series of support to build the capacity of the operation unit of the association including the organization of the full assembly, building up the management system, administration, and finance. International and national consultants have been recruited to help this new organization develop its own strategies with full participation from its members and partner organizations.

Indigenous people are strong, prosperous, and able to protect their natural resources, traditions, cultures, and rights. Developing the capacity of indigenous youths, who are the key human resources and future of the indigenous people, will help contribute towards sustaining their traditional livelihoods.

1-Consolidate all indigenous youths of both sexes studying in Phnom Penh and other provinces in order to build a strong network. This will help strengthen their solidarity and allow them to build strong capacities, empowering them as the future generation of the indigenous communities they represent.

2-Help indigenous communities to ensure the protection and security of their land and natural resources; improving their access to healthcare, the maintenance of their livelihoods, particularly their identities such as their customs, traditions, beliefs and languages. The following objectives will help to focus on obtaining the Mission, as stated above.

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The indigenous people in Cambodia are living in the remote areas and highlands of Cambodia fifteen provinces, especially in the Northeast of Cambodia, including Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, Kratie (Kraches),Stung Treng and Preah Vihear, and in the southwest along the cardamom mountains.

These provinces are located far from Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The infrastructures in these locations are very poor, but they are rich in natural resources.

Migration and economic development in other parts of Cambodia have all most negatively affected the Indigenous Peoples security of land and natural resource use management, such as illegal logging, non-participatory concession, and land encroachment.

Furthermore, these provinces are poor in accessing information and other public services like education and health, which limits Indigenous People’s capacity to manage internal and external problems they are experiencing concerning these issues. The education for indigenous people is very poor in general (Indigenous Peoples ability to access education at all levels is extremely low). However, with the support of humanity program(s) and individual sponsors, some indigenous youths have been able to retrieve funding to study in Phnom Penh.

CIYA’s strategy plan has a strong focus on helping to improve indigenous youth’s access to education and abilities to gain further professional experience, whilst still upholding the importance of their custom and traditions.

This includes seeking university scholarship opportunities for CIYA members as well as internship placements with other non-governmental organizations, helping to increase the level of participation and completion of primary and secondary school for indigenous youths in the provinces.

This also includes building a strong network of indigenous youth within communities they live in, and empowering them via training, exchange visit, knowledge and experience workshop or consultation, dialogue, advocacy, and meeting.

1- Develop a strong network of Indigenous Youths throughout Phnom Penh and the Provincial areas, to help enable them to support each other, build their capacities and work collectively in their communities (There is IP youth in PP, seemed scholarship..)

2-Offer support to the indigenous communities dealing with challenges over land ownership and the management of natural resources used to sustain their livelihoods. Assistance provided will be based on the concerns voiced between the indigenous peoples during facilitated discussions where the participation of both genders will be promoted, in order to encourage community empowerment and solidarity.

3-Advocate for the recognition of indigenous people’s rights and the significance of their culture, through increasing public awareness and campaigning for further legislative support.

4-Promote the IPs in Cambodia in accessing fully information from different sources which helping maintain the ways of lives, also sharing and communicating with the outside world.

Our Founders Since 2005

Mr. NUN SOKHUNTHEA

President of CIYA

Mr. LOA SOTHA

Admin and Finance Manager

Mrs. TUM SREYPHACH

Admin and Finance Officer

Mr. RITHY VIREAK

YNSP Program Manager

Mr. CHOUNG PHEA

CS Program Officer

Project Assistant

Program Assistant

Admin Assistant

Mr. PHEAP SOCHEA

Former President

Mrs. SOA SOKHA

Admin and Finance Manager

Mr. CHHEUM SAMUT

Former President

Mss. RAM BOREY

Project Assistant

Mr. LY CHANTHA

Project Officer

Mrs. RIM SAREM

Program Officer

Mrs. ROTH RACHANA

Admin and finance Assistant

Mr. SARAEN HIN

Project Officer

Mr. BUN RITHY

Program Officer

Mr. ROTH LEAKNA

Project Assistant

Mr. NGACH SAMIN

Former President