Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Organization (CIPO) was established and registered with the Ministry of Interior on 30 June 2014 (SOR CHOR NOR No. 1352). It was born out of the desire to change the destiny of the Cambodian Indigenous Peoples Society to take charge of their culture and tradition and their customary rights to land and natural resources in their community as well as in Cambodia.

CIPO has a strong belief that the indigenous peoples (IP), who have an in-depth understanding of the local context, can work effectively (with relevant partners/stakeholders) to make real and sustainable changes to the IPs society. Co-founded by a woman who is Bunong’s ethnic1 from Mondulkiri province, CIPO is a totally IP-led and managed organization that combines the best knowledge of IPs (locally and internationally) and Cambodian society with the ability to creatively respond to the needs for support from the IPs in Cambodia.

Since its inception, CIPO has benefited from a diverse range of peoples, their ideas and the creative approaches they brought to rights, tradition and culture, social and economic development of the IPs in Cambodia. CIPO’s services have tailored to the long term development needs of the IPs including defining a clear ethnic identity, having rights to own and managing land and natural resources, and having access to the market. We work to raise the bar of the IPs to take charge of their individual life, family and the whole IP community. We have, for example, advocating the Ministry of Planning to conduct population census and produce concrete information of the IPs, which is a foundation for developing the IPs in Cambodia. We empower the IPs and co-facilitate, with the IPs, a creative process of community formation to be a platform to serve the benefits of the IPs in each community. We facilitate the processes of community land registration and provide legal support to the IPs, when needed.

Who we work with
Our core programs are relevant for work with diverse groups, both directly and in partnerships, including:
1. IP Communities;
2. Civil society organizations (CSOs), which includes non-government organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs);
3. Sub-national administrations;
4. Institutions and departments of the central government; and
5. Private sector, where relevant to social development goals.
6. Development Partners (includes UN agencies)