Posted on July, 30 2025
Chroy Banteay, Kratie, July 30, 2025 — For years, the people of Kratie’s Chroy Banteay district lived with limited job opportunities and no proper space to sell their goods. With that reality came growing pressure to either engage in unsustainable and unlawful activities like logging, wildlife hunting and illegal fishing or to leave their homes in search of work.
Without a dedicated community marketplace, many families struggled to earn a stable income. But that has begun to change with the launch of the Chroy Banteay Community Market, officially inaugurated on 30 July 2025.
Supported by WWF-Cambodia’s SCALE-UP II project, funded by DGD through WWF-Belgium, this new market is more than just a place for selling goods. It is a lifeline – a place where families can earn an honest living while protecting nature and strengthening their connection to their home and environment.
“I used to worry about how to support my family. Without a proper place to sell my products, I had no choice but to think about leaving,” said Mrs Sok Davy, a saleswoman. “Now, with the market, I can stay here, provide for my children and support conservation efforts in our community.”
The market provides a clean, organized and eco-conscious space for local producers to sell agricultural goods, handicrafts and other homegrown products. It also promotes proper waste management and encourages tourism, helping visitors discover and support the local culture.
“This market is a symbol of community resilience and empowerment,” explained Chap Vibol, WWF-Cambodia’s Country Director. “Through SCALE-UP II, we’re helping build sustainable livelihoods that respect both people and nature. It gives community members real alternatives to harmful activities like illegal logging and fishing.”
Local authorities share this optimism about the market’s potential. Seng Phina, the deputy district governor of Chroy Banteay, noted: “The community market contributes to our vision of economic growth and improved livelihoods. It encourages local production, attracts visitors and supports the provincial economy, reducing poverty and promoting community-made goods.”
The market’s impact goes beyond income generation. As more community members shift to sustainable livelihoods, pressure on the Mekong Flooded Forest’s natural resources is easing, a crucial step in protecting this vital ecosystem.
The SCALE-UP II project is part of a broader effort to strengthen community land rights, improve natural resource management and support sustainable financing in the landscape. The success of the Chroy Banteay market demonstrates what’s possible when communities, government and conservation partners work together. For Chroy Banteay, this market isn’t just a place to buy and sell – it’s a hopeful step toward a future where people and nature thrive side by side.
