SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY

At NagaWorld, we are committed to being a socially responsible company that strives for positive and sustainable change amongst our stakeholders, including the wider community. As part of the social fabric of Cambodia, we believe we only thrive as our communities prosper in the long run.

We are proud to be the first foreign-invested private company in Cambodia. Since the inception of our business in 1995, we have been steadfast in supporting and collaborating with our community partners and the public sector, especially during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we look forward into the future, we remain vested in identifying the needs of our communities and generating positive and sustainable impacts on our communities and the environment.

NagaWorld Kind Hearts

NagaWorld Kind Hearts was established in 2014 with a mission to develop CSR projects that benefit the community and empower our employees through volunteerism. We aspire to foster the belief that every contribution counts – even if it is the smallest of things.

Besides advancing sustainable economic growth through our business, we actively support Cambodia’s efforts in sustainable development and achieving the UN SDGs. We achieve that by focusing on four core aspects – community, education, environment and sports.

Since 2014, we have organised over 660 activities with the invaluable participation of close to 6,700 employees. Together, our staff have contributed more than 35,000 volunteer hours towards uplifting the lives of over 509,000 community members. During the Year, the Group made US$1.2 million in charity donations and in-kind community contributions.

1. Environmental Care

1.1 Earth Hour

Since 2015, we have been participating annually in Earth Hour – the global “lights off” campaign which advocates for environmental protection. By turning off the lights for an hour, Earth Hour motivates individuals to reflect on their relationship with nature and to take part in climate-friendly activities. This initiative not only reduces energy consumption but also encourages everyone to be more mindful of their impact on the environment.

On 25 March 2023, we turned off non-essential lighting (e.g. exterior façade lighting) and electrical appliances at our premises. Nearly 90 of our employees pledged their support to Earth Hour by switching off lights at home for an hour, translating to 762 kWh of electricity saved.

1.2 Soap for Hope

Initiated in 2017, the “Soap for Hope” project collaborates with an NGO to divert our used hotel bar soaps from landfills to marginalised communities requiring hygiene products. In addition to the positive environmental impact, community partners earn additional income by cleaning the used bar soaps.

In 2023, we organised an experiential soap recycling session for our employees. 14 employees gained hands-on experience recycling and distributing the used bar soaps to surrounding communities. As of 31 December 2023, over 1,600 kg of used bar soaps from NagaWorld have been recycled and distributed to 458 families.

1.3 Slaprea 2023

NagaWorld continues to support “Slaprea 2023”, the biggest food festival in Cambodia, by educating the general public about proper waste segregation. To improve the recyclability of waste at the event, we designed and placed signages explaining the different types of recyclable and non-recyclable waste for the appropriate waste bins. Our staff volunteers were also present to guide visitors in segregating their waste.

1.4 Tree Planting at Kampong Speu

In celebration of National Tree Planting Day, also known as Arbour Day in Cambodia, NagaWorld Kind Hearts and the Khmer Association for Development jointly launched a tree planting programme at Kampong Speu province.

From the public donations received from the “NagaWorld Kind Hearts x Beyond The Games Family Day” and NagaWorld employees, 1,300 trees were planted by our staff volunteers over a series of tree planting events.

1.5 Community Cleanups

In support of World Cleanup Day on 16 September 2023, 46 staff volunteers collected 272 kg of waste at the Mekong riverbank in Chroy Changvar district. The impactful event, which River Ocean Cleanup and everwave GmbH jointly organised, is a powerful platform to raise awareness on proper waste disposal.

76 staff also visited the Nirouth district for a community cleanup. Together with 43 community members, their joint efforts resulted in the removal of 972 kg of street waste, resulting in a cleaner environment.

2. Education Enhancement

2.1 Children@Risk Programme

We are delighted that six young adults who participated in our 2022 inaugural Children@Risk programme have completed their internships and gained valuable vocational skills and work experience. Two interns were offered permanent positions, and one intern was hired on a contractual basis.

Building on the first programme’s success and our motivation to reduce the school dropout rate in Cambodia, we launched the second Children@Risk programme in 2023. Spanning three years, we will sponsor another 10 students from marginalised communities. The sponsorship covers essential expenditures, including meals, study materials, and other necessities.

2.2 Digital Literacy Rural Upliftment

We believe that fostering digital literacy is vital for children’s education and a crucial tool to help them secure better jobs in the future. We aim to equip them with the tools and knowledge to navigate the digital world.

We refurbished retired desktop computers that are still functional and donated them to NGOs working with children. Besides providing the hardware for learning, our Group IT department conducted IT training courses for the children to develop essential computer skills. In 2023, we donated 35 computer sets to seven NGOs, benefitting 600 children.

2.3 Fire Safety

Annually, we raise the awareness of fire safety among children at NGOs, orphanages, and community members. With support from our Fire Safety Department, each session encompasses real-world fire safety and prevention techniques, demonstrations on operating fire extinguishers, and the donation of fire extinguishers to our partnered NGOs and communities. In 2023, we donated 28 fire extinguishers to bolster the community’s fire safety measures and provided fire safety demonstrations that would benefit more than 11,000 community members.

2.4 Give the Gift of Reading

Our internal book donation drive encourages employees to donate books in usable condition. The donated books are distributed to marginalised communities and help young children to develop a love for reading. At the same time, the initiative helps to minimise waste and promote a circular economy.

In 2023, we received over 500 book donations, which were donated to school libraries in rural communities.

2.5 Stationery Distribution

We organised a stationery distribution drive for two NGOs – Leadership Character Development Institute and the Sharing Foundation. With 32 staff volunteers, we distributed studying necessities such as notebooks, pens and school bags to almost 60 children.

Besides this, our staff volunteers also conducted a waste segregation activity to raise awareness among the children about the importance of waste reduction.

3. Community Engagement

3.1 NagaWorld Kind Hearts’ SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games Activities with NGOs

In celebrating Cambodia’s hosting of its first South East Asian Games (“SEA Games”) and ASEAN Paralympic Games (“Para Games”), we hosted 278 children, including children with physical disabilities, from seven non-profit organisations – Krousar Thmey Foundation, Cambodia Organisation for Living and Temporary Care, Happy Land, Happy Tree, Leadership Character Development Institute, Place of Rescue and Sharing Foundation – for half-day activities at NagaWorld.

During the guided tour by our volunteers at the vibrantly decorated Samdech Techo Hun Sen Park and the trivia session, the children learned about the significance of the SEA Games and Para Games.

3.2 Cambodian Red Cross

The Cambodian Red Cross is the largest NGO in Cambodia and is officially recognised by the Cambodian Government as the primary auxiliary for humanitarian services throughout the country. Apart from contributing to nation-building, NagaWorld has been a longstanding contributor to the Cambodian Red Cross – giving back to the community and working toward building Cambodia’s social welfare. In 2023, we donated US$1 million to the Cambodian Red Cross.

3.3 1 Million Bikes, 1 Million Lights

NagaWorld Kind Hearts is proud to have supported Enterprise Asia’s “1 Million Bikes, 1 Million Lights” programme. Through our donation of 110 bicycles, we help to ease children’s commutes to schools and contribute to lower school dropout rates.

Happening on the fringe of Enterprise Asia’s sustainability events in Cambodia, the bicycle handover ceremony was held at The Place of Rescue Centre I in the Kombol district of Phnom Penh. The bicycles were received by the representatives of Place of Rescue Centre I – Mr. Kong Kim, Committee Member, and Mr. Ham Sophal, School Director.

4. Sports Development

4.1 Supporting National Sports Excellence

We maintained our longstanding commitment as a dedicated corporate supporter of Cambodian athletes. As a pioneer in this endeavour, we were the first company to establish a sponsorship agreement with the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia to support the Cambodian contingent in 2011. The agreement encompasses various major sporting events, including the SEA Games, Asia Games and the Olympics.

We extended support further when Cambodia hosted its first SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games in 2023. We sponsored apparel for the athletes and coaches and were a venue sponsor for E-sports. For our contributions, we were recognised as the National Partner and Official Hotel Resort for both the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games.

4.2 NagaWorld Kind Hearts x Beyond The Games Family Sports Day

In anticipation of the 32^nd SEA Games and 12^th ASEAN Para Games, we partnered with Beyond The Games to organise a Family Sports Day on 26 March 2023. Held at the newly-opened Kampong Speu Football Stadium donated by NagaWorld, close to 1,500 students, families and fans of NagaWorld Football Club (“NagaWorld FC”) attended the event. Over 30 staff volunteers pitched in to manage the activity booths and engage with the attendees.

The stadium was divided into three zones where attendees engaged in various activities and games. At the NagaWorld Kind Hearts zone, we created carnival-style games for attendees to learn about waste recycling and segregation.

Through our “Let’s Donate a Tree for a Greener Cambodia” initiative, we highlighted the importance and benefits of a green and clean environment and encouraged tree planting for a greener Cambodia. We were heartened to receive donations for 150 trees from the public, which will be planted through NagaWorld Kind Hearts.

4.3 U18 Mini Football Tournament

Conducted by NagaWorld Kind Hearts with support from NagaWorld FC, the U18 Mini Football Tournament took place at Kampong Speu Stadium on 30 December 2023, with the participation of 300 youths and 16 NGOs and communities.

An extension of NagaWorld’s award-winning football development programme, the tournament set out to cultivate promising football players for the Cambodian national team and provide a platform for gifted players to showcase and enhance their football skills and bolster their self-esteem. Scouts and coaches from NagaWorld FC were also present to identify and assess emerging talents, much to the excitement of the young soccer players.