RFAs: Firm to Support Investment Readiness and Impact Acceleration (Cambodia)

The program focuses on diagnostic and supply chain climate-risk assessment, adaptation practices and good agricultural practices standards, pitch refinement and impact narratives, and connection to financial institutions and impact investors. Key priorities include aligning company operations with national and international green standards, improving climate resilience across sourcing zones, promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture technologies, strengthening compliance with CamGAP and ASEAN GAP standards, supporting food safety and environmental sustainability, enhancing investor readiness through financial and impact documentation, and facilitating access to development finance institutions, commercial banks, and impact investors.

Cambodia remains one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. In response, the country has strengthened its climate adaptation agenda through its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), which outlines strategic priorities across sectors such as energy, agriculture, infrastructure, food systems, disaster risk management, livelihoods, ecosystems, social protection, and water sanitation and hygiene. The initiative supports these national priorities by helping companies adopt sustainable and climate-resilient business practices.

Under the program, selected companies will receive close mentorship to improve investment and international trade readiness. This includes conducting deep-dive operational audits, analyzing climate risks within sourcing zones, assessing post-harvest losses and energy consumption, and evaluating compliance with sustainability standards and certification pathways. Companies will also receive technical guidance to integrate climate-smart agricultural technologies such as solar-powered drying, growth-based irrigation systems, and low-carbon processing equipment.

The initiative further supports suppliers and distributors in meeting international export requirements related to food safety, environmental management, and worker welfare. Structured training on good agricultural practices will be delivered to farmers within the supply chain, while participating companies will be guided through documentation and audit procedures required for national certification processes administered by the Department of Plant Protection, Sanitary and Phytosanitary.

To strengthen investment readiness, the selected firms will receive support in preparing standardized investor materials, including financial statements, five-year projections, and investor pitch decks that combine commercial viability with measurable social and environmental impact outcomes. The program will also help companies build data-backed narratives demonstrating resilience benefits such as reduced post-harvest losses and water savings to attract impact-focused investors.

Additionally, the initiative will facilitate direct engagement with development finance institutions, commercial banks, and impact investors operating in Southeast Asia. Selected companies may also receive support in utilizing guarantee mechanisms and first-loss capital instruments to reduce lending risks and accelerate investment processes.

Eligible bidders are required to demonstrate financial stability by submitting audited financial statements for the last three years, including income statements and balance sheets.

For more information, visit UNDP.