Member Spotlight: Impact Hub Phnom Penh

Mission and Approach

Impact Hub Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s leading social venture builder and community of entrepreneurs. Founded in 2015, IHPP supports innovative changemakers through entrepreneurship, capacity-building, and ecosystem strengthening.

Among their flagship departments is media4impact, also known as Prosob, a dedicated media and communications department focused on nurturing impact-driven creators and media professionals. Prosob’s mission is to enable collaboration and amplify the voices of Cambodian media creatives and professionals. Through their capacity-building programs, community engagement, and agency services, Prosob aims to distribute impactful content sustainably while inspiring Cambodian youth to think critically and act for change.

Prosob Achievements

Since 2022, Prosob has delivered significant impact across Cambodia’s emerging media landscape:

• Six major training programs have empowered 70 individuals across 25 teams to strengthen their creative and operational capacities.
• Over 290 content pieces have been produced by Prosob’s network of impact-driven creators, garnering more than 4 million views.
• Five agency projects were launched with international NGOs and public institutions, reaching more than 1.6 million people—especially Gen Z audiences.
• Three large-scale community events have spotlighted 20+ creators and welcomed over 850 participants.
• A professional network of over 60 Cambodian media professionals and creatives has been established, fostering peer learning and collaboration.

Flagship Initiative

One of the organisation’s most impactful initiatives to date is the Prosob Content Camp, an experiential learning and creative support program funded by BBC Media Action, running from August 2023 to August 2024.

The Content Camp was designed to support young and aspiring content creators in Cambodia to develop content on social and civic engagement. In a country where social media is the dominant information platform, the influence of content creators is significant—but structured support and professional development remain scarce.

Participants of Prosob Content Camp

Through hands-on training, creative “sprint challenges,” and one-on-one coaching, the program equipped participants with the skills, confidence, and ethical grounding to produce meaningful and resonant content. Participants explored new content formats, engaged with critical topics, and received editorial guidance on issues like gender mainstreaming and safeguarding.

Most notably, the program achieved measurable success:

• 83 applications were received, highlighting high demand for structured media development opportunities.
• 11 creators, including five female and non-binary participants, were selected for a four-month journey.
• Each participant received 30 hours of mentorship and up to $7,080 in financial support.
• The program earned an exceptional Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 100, reflecting overwhelming participant satisfaction.

Lasting Impact on Cambodia’s Creative Media Sector

The ripple effects of the Content Camp continue to resonate. Alumni like Labor Plus and Datasr.co have not only sustained their content platforms but expanded their influence.

• Labor Plus, which focuses on civic and labour rights, secured two new grants in 2024, including from YSEALI Seeds for the Future, and cited Prosob as a strong foundation for their success.
• Datasr.co, a platform for data-driven educational content, secured a consulting project under an EU-funded campaign on Women-led Green Initiatives. Their leader, Sana, was invited to speak at #EUDay 2024 in front of 600+ youth and media stakeholders, and their video content was featured at the Cambodia International Film Festival.

These successes underscore the program’s potential to elevate underrepresented voices, while helping define what “content for impact” looks like in the Cambodian context.

Prosob Festival 2024

Investing in the Future: A Funding Challenge

While Impact Hub Phnom Penh continues to build momentum in Cambodia’s creative media landscape, sustaining long-term funding for youth-centred and impact-driven content remains a significant hurdle—particularly from local sources. To overcome this, IHPP is actively pursuing international donor support through call-for-proposals and strategic partnerships. The team is also engaging with global innovation networks—such as Splice Beta 2024 in Chiang Mai—to connect with collaborators, exchange ideas, and explore new models for media funding.

Reflections on GFMD Membership

Prosob started as a small media project within IHPP but evolved into a full-fledged media department. Today, Impact Hub Phnom Penh is the first Impact Hub globally with a dedicated media department working on program and agency services to showcase the power of content to drive social change.

“We envision a future where creative and journalism work hand-in-hand. Being part of GFMD gives us hope to collaborate across borders, integrating innovation, building youth capacity, and shaping impactful narratives together”.– Bank Vath, Program & DEI manager

Being a GFMD member allows IHPP to connect with a global network of media development peers, access collaborative opportunities, and amplify its work on an international stage.

Connect with Impact Hub Phnom Penh

Impact Hub Phnom Penh welcomes partnerships, collaborations, and conversations with media practitioners, funders, and organisations committed to empowering youth and advancing impact-driven media in Cambodia. To learn more or explore ways to work together, get in touch:

📧 Saosopheakneath Bun, Media & Campaign Lead, saosopheakneath.bun@impacthub.net

🔗 Website: phnompenh.impacthub.net

📱 Social Media:

• Twitter/X: @impacthubpp
• Facebook: @ImpactHubPhnomPenh
• Instagram: @impacthubpp
• LinkedIn: Impact Hub Phnom Penh

Stay tuned for more stories in our Member Spotlight series. If you’re a GFMD member and would like to be featured, please reach out to fnzigno@gfmd.info — we’d love to share your story with our global network.