The government of Cambodia has approved national guidelines for establishing and managing older people’s associations. The guidelines will support the formation and strengthening of older people’s associations throughout Cambodia, and promote older people’s social and economic well-being.

They were developed by the Department of Pensions, Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, with support from UNFPA and HelpAge International.

A practical tool

The guidelines will be a practical tool for local government authorities, communities and aid organisations to support older people’s associations − community-based self-help groups of older people.

They include advice on mobilising the community, developing activity and fundraising plans, and financial management.

The implementation of these new guidelines will reap benefits for older people, their families and communities.

Promoting inclusion and well-being

Older people are one of the most vulnerable groups in Cambodia, with their number expected to rise from 611,400 in 2000 to 1,595,000 by 2025.

Changing family structures, migration, years of civil conflict and the impact of the HIV and AIDS pandemic have weakened traditional support systems, leaving many older people feeling isolated and facing poverty.

Older people’s associations have proven to be a sustainable and relevant way of promoting older people’s well-being, their participation in communities and alleviating poverty. They are a key tool for addressing the needs of an ageing population.

In Cambodia, they do this by running activities to promote:

• Livelihoods
  Managing cow and rice banks to ensure food security and livelihoods for poor older people and their families

• Fund management
  Managing funds to pay for vulnerable older people's medication and other urgent needs

• Health
  Organising medical check-ups and promoting healthy living strategies for older people

• Dignity and respect
  Organising social and religious ceremonies to ensure the psychological well-being of their communities as a whole

• Healthcare
  Linking with local health centres to take better care of older people

• Homecare
  Training on home and community care to take care of lonely older people and those with mobility issues

There are now over 150 associations nationwide, representing every province and municipality in the country.

Government commitment

In approving these new guidelines, the government has committed to extending the reach of older people’s associations throughout the country. It must now work in collaboration with NGOs, INGOs, and other local organisations to ensure their successful implementation.

HE Ith Sam Heng, Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation, said:

“In the longer term I hope that the number of older people’s associations and their members will grow, and that they will join together under one umbrella organisation.

"This organisation will represent their members effectively and efficiently and ensure that more attention is paid to the needs of older people in Cambodia.”

More about the guidelines

Full contents of the guidelines are:

Part I: Establishing an OPA

• how to mobilise the community
• how to develop the OPA statute, for example objectives, membership criteria and fees, organisational structure, roles and responsibilities, finance policy
• notifying  local authorities

Part II: Managing an older people's association

• developing activity plans
• reporting
• financial management
• documentation management

Part III: Building sustainable older people’s associations

• working with local authorities and other partners
• building the capacity of older people’s associations
• making a fundraising plan
• developing activities to meet the members’ needs
• solving conflict

Download a copy of the guidelines