Driving clean cooking with behaviour change communication
The Smoke-Free Village Project (SFV), led by SNV with support from Energising Development (EnDev) through GIZ, transforms cooking practices in rural communities. Through a blend of behaviour change communication and active community engagement, the project aims to foster healthier, more sustainable living environments and encourage the adoption of clean cooking solutions.
Recognising the detrimental effects of cooking with polluting fuels and technologies on climate, health, and women's roles, particularly in Cambodia, where over 60% of households rely on firewood for cooking, SFV addresses the pressing issue of indoor air pollution. This widespread reliance on traditional cooking methods results in significant health risks, with over 11 million Cambodians exposed to household air pollution annually and around 14,000 deaths attributed to this cause each year.
Furthermore, the prevalent use of forest biomass exacerbates deforestation. SFV targets 500 villages across four provinces and five districts, engaging local authorities, Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and communities. Through a variety of awareness-raising activities such as orientation sessions, village meetings, and cooking fairs, the project aims to introduce modern cooking solutions to half a million people who live in SFV by its conclusion in 2025.
Research conducted in Kampot province in 2023 evaluated the impact of the SFV project, which began in December 2020. The research sampled 225 main family cooks from five villages in Kampot province: 90 were from two smoke-free villages, and 135 were from three non-smoke-free villages.
The study analysed the effects of the SFV project on clean cooking behaviour by applying the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as the theoretical framework and propensity score matching (PSM) as the evaluation method.
Smoke-free cooking workshop.
The findings confirmed that the SFV project effectively enhances clean cooking behaviour. Results indicate improved attitudes towards clean cooking among main cooks in SFV, with heightened awareness and knowledge of associated consequences. Furthermore, the intervention strengthens overall community comfort with clean cooking, as important individuals and community members in SFV show greater approval of clean cooking compared to non-SFV areas.
30 per cent increase in clean cooking practices following the intervention.
The 30% increase in daily clean cooking practices among primary cooks underscores the profound impact of the SFV intervention. By leveraging a localised behaviour change communication approach, the initiative not only fosters a tangible shift towards clean cooking but also exemplifies how targeted, culturally attuned strategies can drive substantial improvements in rural Cambodia. This success story highlights the transformative potential of tailored interventions in addressing critical health and environmental challenges, offering a powerful model for similar efforts globally.