CIDSE's intervention in Kampot province began since 1980 immediately after the fall of the Pol Pot regime by supporting government effort to renovate a large fertilizer factory. Till 1993 the program was oriented towards emergency assistance and rehabilitation, with the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returning from war-torn areas by providing food stocks, shelter materials, and agricultural supplies. In the period of 1992-1993 CIDSE support the repair and construction of schools.

In 1994, an integrated community development program in Chumkiri district, host to many IDPs, was started. Initially the activities were implemented in two communes close to the district town for security reasons. After the cessation of armed violence it was possible to commence in other target areas. In 1996 after a review of the activities the number of target villages was reduced from 37 to 24.

On the basis of a project proposal submitted in October 1996 the program continued its second phase from January 1997 till 1999. In the second phase village development committees were established in 24 villages of Chumkiri district. VDCs were primarily responsible for coordinating development activities within the community, for linking with outside development agencies, are also instrumental in mobilizing local resources, and work closely with local interest groups.

The third phase is being built on the achievements of the first and second phases and incorporates the learning of external evaluation conducted in June 1999. It is also guided by the strategic objectives contained in CIDSE's CPD (Country Policy Document) 2000-2002 which emerged out of internal assessments and discussions. VDCs reelection took place in all 24 villages to ensure that members remain representative of village interests and committed to their tasks. A strategic shift is an emphasis on developing the capacity of small interest groups to elect their project sub-committees and to take responsibility for their own project. This marks a separation of the roles of VDCs and interest groups.

This is the fourth phase of CIDSE Cambodia's integrated community development (ICD) programme which aims to achieve a sustainable improvement in the quality of life of rural poor households in 24 villages of Chumkiri district, Kampot province. Key features of CIDSE's integrated approach define the core programme: community organisation and capacity building, agricultural training and technology transfer, animal health care, loan activities (rice banks, cow banks, pig banks, self-help savings and credit), adult literacy, and health education. The principal target groups are village development committees (VDCs), village specialists (village veterinarians, village health workers, and village literacy teachers), members of the loan schemes, and poor and very poor villagers. This fourth phase will focus on the capacity building of stakeholders at village and commune levels in support of the envisaged self-management of the programme.