After a kickoff ceremony last Wednesday, a five-year development project in 30 villages, funded and supervised by South Korea’s International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) begins work this week.

The New Village Movement, which is funded by an $8 million grant from South Korea, is starting as a pilot project in Takeo, Kampong Speu and Tbong Khmum provinces, project director Song Joo Kim said.

This week, KOICA staffers will travel to participating villages to survey village needs and to explain to local leaders the types of projects allowed, Joo Kim said.

“The village leaders and village chiefs will be aware of these project [options],” Joo Kim said. “Now KOICA wants to train the village leaders.”

Village leaders will be able to choose a project that falls under one of three categories: infrastructure, “increase of income” (such as agriculture or technology training) or “change of behaviour” (which would likely involve changes to local governing methods using KOICA’s advice).

Officials from the Ministry of Rural Development – a partner on the project – could not be reached yesterday.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CHHAY CHANNYDA