Philanthropic funders have kept a portion of a project in the Mekong River Basin operating after its U.S.-funded grant was terminated. Funding has fallen from an estimated $29.7 million over the lifecycle of the project to now around $200,000, leaving the team to seek alternative support while operating at a fraction of its original scale.
Date: 6/26
Region: East Asia & Pacific
Country: Cambodia
Topic: Economy & Livelihoods, Climate & Environment
Policy Lens: Economic & Trade Interests
Entry Type: Secondary Effect
Additional Context: Wonders of the Mekong was a USAID-funded project entering its ninth year of implementation before it was abruptly terminated in early 2025. With plans to continue through 2029, this $29.7 million project conducted applied research, built capacity, and implemented outreach and communication strategies to highlight the natural, economic, and cultural capital of the Lower Mekong River.
According to Zeb Hogan, research professor and co-director of Wonders of the Mekong, while the funding provided by the two private donors of $100,000 each alongside fundraised smaller donations is far from sufficient to maintain the project as it formerly operated, the goal is now to keep the project alive in case additional opportunities to support the programming emerge. The donations are directed toward allowing graduate students previously supported through U.S. assistance, to finish their research and complete their degrees, and to keep the labs and offices open.
Source: Wonders of the Mekong