Khmer Youth and Social Development (KYSD) is a non-profit, non-partisan Cambodian NGO based in Phnom Penh. It was established in January 2000 and registered with Ministry of Interior on 25 March, 2003. KYSD has considerable experience – Ten years working with youth and communities. It is an active youth NGO with potential, effective networking and good relationships with Local NGOs, International NGOs and Government Section.

KYSD works with many youth NGOs and is active member of UN Youth Advisory Panel, Volcam, Youth Committee for Unity and Development (National Youth Policy Network), NGO Forum, Learning and Communication Focus Group of the Ministry of Interior (LCFG), National Climate Change Network in Cambodia (NCCN), Working Group for Partnership in Decentralization (WGPD), HACC and Non-Formal Education Partners (NEP).

Vision: KYSD's vision is to see the people of Cambodia, especially women, youth and children, live in a prosperous and democratic society enjoying improved living standards and good health, with dignity and equitable access to natural resources and social services, free from violence, discrimination, or violations of human rights.

Mission: KYSD acts to reduce poverty through building the capacity of youth, mobilizing and empowering them to work in coordination with others to bring development to remote areas of Cambodia, improve the quality of life of women, men and children, and support community groups to implement activities in economic, cultural, social, and environmental sectors in partnership with commune councils and civil society organizations.

To achieve this KYSD will work with youth, women, poor people and local and international partners who share our vision and mission and facilitate networking and relationships that empower youth, women and poor people to exercise their fundamental rights.

Implementation of this mission will be underpinned by the following core values. KYSD:

• Recognizes that our staff are our most valuable resource
• Responds to people in a caring manner that emphasizes their human and cultural dignity and promotes empowerment, equality and equity
• Is prepared to work effectively in the most difficult of circumstances with extremely poor people
• Forms strategic alliances and partnerships with other organizations and government bodies through advocacy and other working arrangements that are based on trust and mutual learning
• Follows a professional approach that is transparent and accountable
• Uses creativity and pragmatism in the face of obstacles to our work
• Recognizes that development is a process that happens within people at their own pace
• Recognizes that experience is the best teacher and ensures that the working environment leads to staff and organizational development and learning.

Goal:

Youth are active voices for democracy and environmental protection in Cambodia and work to improve living conditions, promote understanding of basic rights and gender, and strengthen decentralization and deconcentration in order to develop the country.

Objective:

1. To empower youth and unite youth in Cambodia and the region in a youth network.
2. To build recognition by the Cambodia government of youth as partners for the development of the country and building peace.
3. To enhance gender equality.
4. To contribute to strengthening decentralization and deconcentration.
5. To reduce social problems and environmental destruction.

The target group will be people living in absolute and extreme poverty in rural Cambodia, including: