Children's Learning, Access to Support, and Sustainability (CLASS) project

1. Project Profile

• Location: Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, Pursat, and Kampong Chhnang Provinces, Cambodia
• Duration: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027 (36 months)
• Budget: €740,000, fully funded by WeWorld
• Partners:
  • Lead Agency: WeWorld-GVC, a foundation based in Milano, Italy, operating in Cambodia.
  • Implementing Partner: Kampuchea Action to Promote Education Organization (KAPE), a Cambodian NGO based in Kampong Cham.
• Agreement Details: Signed between WeWorld (represented by Mr. Dina Taddia) and KAPE (represented by Mr. Sao Vanna) to support vulnerable communities, particularly children in schools with Learning Disability Support (LDS) needs.

 

2. Main Goal

The primary goal of the CLASS project is to enhance educational access, support, and sustainability for vulnerable children, particularly those with learning disabilities, in targeted Cambodian provinces. By combining WeWorld’s resources and KAPE’s expertise in school-based interventions, the project aims to:

• Improve learning outcomes and access to education.
• Strengthen community support systems for sustainable development.
• Achieve maximum impact through coordinated efforts, ensuring long-term benefits for the served communities.

 

3. Project Update

As of the agreement’s context (signed prior to the project start date of January 1, 2025), the project is in the pre-implementation phase. Key updates include:

• The agreement was formalized to outline roles, responsibilities, and financial arrangements between WeWorld and KAPE.
• A detailed project document and budget (Annex A and B) have been approved, setting the framework for implementation.
• Preparations are underway for the initial fund transfer (€112,500, 50% of the first-year budget) within 15 days of the agreement’s signing, pending KAPE’s fund request.
• No implementation activities have started, as the project is set to commence in January 2025.

 

4. Project Key Activities

While specific activities are detailed in the project document (Annex A, not provided), the agreement outlines the following key implementation aspects:

• Educational Interventions: KAPE will implement activities in schools with LDS children, focusing on improving access to quality education and support services.
• Community Engagement: Activities will involve mobilizing local communities to foster sustainable development and support for vulnerable children.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Regular monitoring through field visits, online meetings, and annual in-person meetings, with quarterly financial and narrative reports to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Capacity Building: Identification and training of project staff to ensure effective, efficient, and high-quality activity implementation.
• Resource Management: Procurement of necessary supplies and services following WeWorld’s guidelines, with strict financial oversight and asset management.
• Visibility and Communication: Coordinated efforts to promote the project through WeWorld’s channels, adhering to visibility guidelines.

 

5. Donor

• Donor: WeWorld-GVC
• Role: As the lead and funding agency, WeWorld provides the entire €740,000 budget, oversees project implementation, and ensures compliance with financial and ethical standards.
• Contribution: Funds are transferred to KAPE in nine instalments over three years, with strict conditions for expenditure reporting and approval:
  • Year 1: €225,000
  • Year 2: €275,000
  • Year 3: €240,000
• Support: WeWorld supervises activities, approves reports, and provides technical support to resolve critical issues, ensuring alignment with project objectives.

 

6. A Glance into the Future

Looking ahead, the CLASS project is poised to make a significant impact on educational and community development in Cambodia:

• Expected Outcomes: By 2027, the project aims to enhance educational access and support for LDS children, strengthen community resilience, and establish sustainable systems for ongoing support.
• Scalability: Successful implementation could lead to project extension (subject to mutual agreement) or replication in other regions, leveraging lessons learned.
• Sustainability: The focus on community involvement and capacity building ensures long-term benefits, with KAPE’s local expertise anchoring interventions.
• Challenges: Potential risks include exchange rate fluctuations, delays in reporting, or unforeseen events. The agreement’s robust monitoring, audit provisions, and flexibility for amendments aim to mitigate these.
• Legacy: The project’s emphasis on ethical standards, data protection, and visibility will enhance WeWorld and KAPE’s reputations, fostering trust and potential for future collaborations.