Our focus is not just on what we do, but on the difference it makes.
We believe that true impact is measured by meaningful, lasting change, not simply by counting activities or outputs.
The Village Hive is making families stronger, children safer, communities more resilient, and local systems better equipped to support people for generations to come.
But you don’t have to take our word for it.
Independent evaluations measure whether the Village Hive is actually achieving our mission.
The Technical Advisor to the Cambodian Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth (MoSVY) has just conducted an evaluation of the Village Hive.
You can read the full report here.
Read on for a summary that demonstrates the progress and impact of the Village Hive, along with an update on the current focus areas.
The Village Hive is progressing very positively, improving social cohesion within communities. It is widely regarded as a strong and effective model, with one of its most notable achievements being its national recognition.
I’ve spoken to local leaders and members of Village Hive communities who expressed pride that the Village Hive has been adopted for nationwide implementation, positioning the project as a model for other communities and provinces.
There is consistent evidence that Village Hive investments in school infrastructure, learning materials, meals, and after-school care have significantly reduced barriers for vulnerable children and created more inclusive, supportive learning environments. Improvements such as repaired classrooms, clean water and sanitation facilities, electricity, and better-equipped learning spaces have made schools safer, cleaner, and more functional, contributing to increased student attendance.
The children’s learning outcomes and behaviour have improved in Village Hive schools. Students are reading and writing better, demonstrating stronger academic performance across subjects, and showing improved respect for one another. These changes reflect not only better school conditions but also more effective and supportive teaching.
The after-school care program has been a particularly impactful intervention. It provides structured support through meals, tutoring, homework assistance, and life-skills activities, enabling children to learn more effectively while ensuring their safety and well-being. This program has also created important economic benefits for families, allowing parents to work or run small businesses during the day, thereby reducing household stress. As a result, children are more motivated, confident, and engaged in learning, while families are better able to earn a living to support their education.
The project is progressing very well in the health sector, with clear and consistent improvements in both service delivery and community health outcomes in Village Hive Health Centres. A major achievement has been the strengthening of local health systems through health centre repairs, improved medical supplies, and the training and regular engagement of village health volunteers. These efforts have enhanced frontline services and enabled more effective outreach and health promotion at the community level.
Access to healthcare has significantly improved, with families reporting more frequent use of health services, including vaccinations, pregnancy check-ups, and treatment for common and chronic conditions. Families say health centres are cleaner, more organised, and more accessible, including for people with disabilities, with friendlier staff and non-discriminatory services. The availability of medicines and timely emergency care has also improved, while financial barriers have been reduced through support mechanisms such as low-income cards and targeted assistance for vulnerable households.
Another key achievement is the strong improvement in community awareness and preventive health practices. Through regular health education and promotion activities, families have developed a better understanding of nutrition, hygiene, exercise, maternal health, and the management of non-communicable diseases. This has led to healthier behaviours at the household level and contributed to overall well-being. In addition, targeted support such as food and financial assistance for treatment and re-engagement of HIV-affected families has ensured that the most vulnerable groups are not left behind.
The Village Hive is progressing very strongly in improving family socio-economic conditions, with clear evidence that the 6-step early intervention journey is generating sustainable impacts. Key to the success of the journey is the combination of emergency assistance, financial literacy training, vocational skills development, and livelihood capital, which has enabled vulnerable families to move beyond focusing on immediate survival toward greater economic stability and self-sustaining independence.
Families are growing their incomes, starting and expanding small businesses, and gaining access to jobs and vocational opportunities. As a result, families are better able to meet basic needs, improve living conditions, and ensure reliable access to quality nutrition.
Families in Village Hive communities have significantly improved financial management skills. Families are now better able to budget, save, plan expenses, and track income, which has led to reduced debt and stronger financial resilience. These changes have also created reduced stress and domestic conflict, alongside increased confidence, which reduces incidences of child protection violations in communities. Importantly, in Village Hive communities we see a widespread shift from dependency toward self-reliance, with families taking more initiative in managing their economic futures.
The socio-economic improvements have also generated broader social benefits. Reduced migration and fewer school drop-outs indicate that families are becoming more stable and able to invest in their children’s education and well-being. With more stable incomes and support systems such as after-school care, parents are better able to work while ensuring their children are safe and supported.
The Village Hive is creating a strong social protection system that is building trust between communities and local authorities. One of the most significant achievements is the high level of satisfaction among families with Village Hive and commune-led services. Across all feedback, families consistently emphasised fast response times, respectful and friendly communication, and non-discriminatory support, which has transformed how they perceive and engage with public services.
A key achievement is the shift in trust and confidence in community systems. Families now feel more comfortable seeking support, engaging with social workers, and participating in community public services. The consistent follow-up by commune staff and service providers, combined with honest communication and encouragement, has strengthened relationships and accountability. This has resulted in families feeling respected, valued, and motivated to improve their situations.
Families have stated that they highly value the range of support services available from emergency food and financial assistance, housing and livelihood support, job-seeking services, back-to-school support, and access to low-income cards. Timely assistance during crises has been particularly important in stabilising vulnerable households and preventing further hardship.
Another important outcome is increased motivation and behavioural change among families. Many reported feeling encouraged to follow family development plans, work harder, and make better decisions for their well-being. Families also rated their overall situation as significantly improved compared to before the Village Hive was operational, reflecting both tangible improvements in living conditions and intangible gains in confidence and hope.
A central focus of the Village Hive is increasing efforts to engage hard-to-reach and reluctant families. This includes stronger community advocacy, expanded outreach, continuous follow-up, and the use of peer influence, where successful families share experiences to motivate others.
The project is placing greater emphasis on intensive case management for complex and high-risk households. This involves more frequent joint home visits by social workers, local authorities, and village leaders, improved family assessment and monitoring systems, and continued follow-up even after case closure.
There is a strong focus on scaling up preventative health promotion through regular training and engagement of village health volunteers to facilitate broader community education. Preventive health activities are showing significant improvement in long-term health outcomes.
The Village Hive is increasingly targeting areas that compound vulnerability, including alcohol and drug use, domestic violence, and high household debt. This includes referrals to detoxification and rehabilitation services, collaboration with district authorities, and ensuring high-risk households are prioritised on the Early Intervention Journey, as reduced stress significantly reduces high-risk social issues.
Efforts are being made to reinforce the role of School Management Committees and to increase family awareness and responsibility for children’s education. This includes targeted education for parents to ensure they are prioritising schooling and closer follow-up with families whose children are at risk of dropping out.
The Village Hive is reinforcing partnerships at multiple levels between local authorities, village leaders, NGOs, and public services. This includes better coordination for complex cases, increased collaboration with NGOs for resource mobilisation and scaling the Village Hive into new districts.
The Village Hive is prioritising increased financial and livelihood support, particularly for families facing debt, chronic illness, or access barriers. This is complemented by continued financial literacy education to ensure the economic improvement is sustainble.
The Village Hive has achieved a clear, quantifiable impact across all locations, significantly improving the standard of living through the community. It clearly demonstrates both effectiveness and ease of scalability, providing a strong foundation for continued expansion throughout Cambodia’s public systems, including Commune Investment Plans and Commune Development Plans.
