Environmental Monitoring Commons^™

The Role Of Social Capital And Local Institutions In Coping With Climate Stresses: The Case Of Krapum Chhouk Commune In Rural Cambodia, Dany Va, Michael Regan, Ros Taplin, Bhishna Bajracharya

Dany Va

Social capital is a central requirement for a successful climate change adaptation, especially in Cambodia where formal institutions are still poorly developed. Collective action and not-for-profit bonding are important for climate change adaptation; however, these are not easily developed. This study examined the local institutions vital for the livelihoods of citizens who live in flood-prone Krapum Chhouk commune in rural Cambodia. Through observations and in-depth interviews with the local community, it investigated social capital in terms of the dynamics of relationships, relations of trust, and social norms and practices. This study found that most networks were profit-oriented. Traditional practices such …