Boosting Inclusive Ecotourism Investment in Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains

Cardamom Mountains, CambodiaThe Kingdom of Cambodia is endowed with tremendous natural capital assets. In addition to their importance for climate mitigation, these rich and diverse natural resources and related environmental services have been key drivers of the country’s economic growth. At the same time, (1) these assets are at risk of serious degradation due to unmanaged development, (2) economic benefits are not accruing equitably to local communities, and (3) the relationship between these assets and business development (dependencies) is not well understood.

A significant proportion of this natural capital is found in protected areas in the Cardamom Mountains, home to a diverse rural population. There is a major untapped opportunity to make these protected areas accessible to a growing local and global market for ecotourism experiences and attractions through inclusive ecotourism investment in Cambodia. If planned and implemented well, ecotourism will contribute to the long-term sustainability of these natural assets and the wellbeing of protected area residents and gateway communities. Ecotourism is also ideally situated to help drive Cambodia’s post-pandemic tourism recovery, as global trends indicate many tourists are more likely to be attracted to uncrowded and natural areas.

Employing a Human-Centered Design approach, Emerging360 in collaboration with Solimar International supported the Cambodian Ministry of Environment within the “Cambodia Sustainable Landscape & Ecotourism Project (CSLEP)” to formulate a five-year Regional Ecotourism Development Plan for the Cardamom Mountains (2022 – 2027). As part of the year-long assignment, Emerging360 developed robust visions for three priority ecotourism destinations in order to stimulate private sector investment, and we designed US$33 million worth of public sector infrastructure development investment recommendations, to be implemented through World Bank financing.  Read more

Inclusive Recovery of the Tourism Sector in Southeast Asia

Promoting Inclusive Recovery of the Tourism Sector in Southeast Asia: Ao Nang, ThailandOver the past six months, Emerging360 has been collaborating with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). We’ve been formulating a series of Guidelines on Hygiene and Safety for Workers and Communities in the Tourism Industry in Southeast Asia and ASEAN Member States: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

As vaccination programs are rolled out around the world, tourism destinations are preparing for an increase in arrivals again. The travel industry must promote the health and safety of workers, hosting communities, and travelers alike to ensure inclusive recovery of the tourism sector in Southeast Asia. Emerging360’s work to define common standards will help rebuild the trust of the tourism workforce, travelers, and local communities, including marginalized workers.

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Designing Digital Learning Solutions with Norwegian Refugee Council

Refugee Children

 

Emerging360 is partnering with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) on a series of digital learning solutions to improve learning and knowledge sharing. The collaboration will strengthen NRC’s humanitarian work in 30 countries, as well as the work of a number of other global aid organizations. The projects are funded by a generous grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve humanitarian access in hard to reach areas.

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Building the Capacity of Women Entrepreneurs in Vietnam through Mobile Micro-Learning

HerVenture Mobile App ScreenshotsThanks to support from Qualcomm® Wireless Reach™, the HerVenture mobile micro-learning app for women entrepreneurs is now available in Vietnam. Emerging360 designed and developed the new mobile learning app in collaboration with the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. And the platform is already helping to build the capacity of women entrepreneurs in emerging markets. Indeed, users are starting and growing more sustainable businesses.

The Android app includes a range of features to help build the capacity of women entrepreneurs through mobile micro-learning: Read more

Promoting Women’s Entrepreneurship in Mexico Through Blended Learning

Road to Women's Business Growth Mexico

Road to Women’s Business Growth

The Road to Women’s Business Growth training program is a collaborative venture developed by the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women with support from the ExxonMobil Foundation. Through “Road to Growth,” we are focusing on promoting women’s entrepreneurship in Mexico by building the business skills and financial literacy of women business owners. Emerging360 designed and developed the Road to Growth platform, piloting it in Nigeria in 2016 with great results. This year, in collaboration with local partner BEDU, we refined the platform for Mexico.

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