Phnom Penh, Cambodia, March 24, 2026 — The Mekong Institute (MI) successfully convened an Information Sharing Session on the Mekong–Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF) bringing together 81 participants, including 43 onsite and 38 online, from across government, academia, and development organizations.
The session formed part of a regional outreach effort to support the 10th Call for Proposals under the MKCF, aimed at strengthening awareness and enhancing the quality of project applications across the Mekong subregion.
The event was attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from national institutions and development partners. Notably, the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, as the national focal point, reflected strong country ownership and commitment to advancing Mekong–Republic of Korea cooperation.
During the session, Mr. Madhurjya K. Dutta, Director of the MKCF, delivered a comprehensive overview of the Fund, highlighting its strategic role in promoting regional cooperation and sustainable development between Mekong countries and the Republic of Korea. His presentation outlined the Fund’s objectives, priority sectors, and funding mechanisms, while also providing practical guidance on the Expression of Interest (EoI) application process, including key requirements, evaluation criteria, and proposal development considerations.
Participants were also introduced to essential elements of project design, including alignment with regional priorities, clarity of impact, and the importance of strong partnerships. The session emphasized the need for high-quality, results-oriented proposals that can effectively contribute to inclusive and sustainable development outcomes in the Mekong subregion.
The interactive discussions and Q&A session demonstrated strong interest from participants, particularly in understanding eligibility criteria, partnership modalities, and strategies to enhance proposal competitiveness under the MKCF framework.
As part of a broader regional initiative, similar information sharing sessions are being conducted across Mekong countries, including Lao PDR, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Myanmar. These sessions aim to ensure wider outreach, promote equitable access to information, and support prospective applicants in developing robust project concepts.
Through these efforts, MI continues to play a key role in facilitating knowledge exchange, strengthening institutional capacity, and fostering regional collaboration under the Mekong–Republic of Korea Cooperation framework.
For more information, please contact:
Mekong Institute
Email: [email protected]
