For this week’s interview, Communications Intern Henry Henderson sat down with Romain Butticker, Regional Coordinator Southeast Asia at La Guilde européenne du Raid. Romain shared insights on La Guilde’s mission to combine adventure, volunteerism, and development cooperation, as well as the organisation’s strategy for creating meaningful partnerships in Cambodia. Their conversation explored La Guilde’s work with local NGOs, its focus on sustainability and impact, and the vision for scaling initiatives across Southeast Asia over the next decade.

Henry: Can you tell us a bit about your professional background? How did you join La Guilde and what brought you to Cambodia?

Romain: I’m Romain Butticker and have been working in the field of international volunteering and development cooperation for more than seven years, mostly in Asia — the Philippines, India, Vietnam, and now Cambodia — after an earlier experience in Greece. In April 2024, I joined La Guilde as Regional Coordinator for Southeast Asia and established our base in Phnom Penh. While Cambodia was new to me, I was immediately struck by both its dynamic energy and its contrasts, and I saw strong potential for meaningful partnerships here.

Henry: La Guilde is known for promoting adventure and volunteerism. What led you to expand into Cambodia, what kinds of activities and initiatives you carry out here, and how are they guided by the values of adventure and volunteerism?

Romain: Founded in 1967 and recognised as being of public utility since 1980, La Guilde combines solidarity, development, and human adventure. Cambodia naturally became a central hub for us, as it is our leading volunteer destination. We support projects in education, environmental protection, cultural promotion, and social inclusion.

But beyond volunteering, La Guilde is also a project developer and project manager, with decades of experience leading initiatives across Africa and the Middle East. We are now aiming to bring that same level of ambition and professionalism to Southeast Asia.

Henry: What kinds of projects or partnerships have been most meaningful for La Guilde since beginning activities in Cambodia? How have they contributed to your mission here?

Romain: We are proud of our partnerships with our 30 inspiring local NGOs such as SIPAR, which promotes reading and access to books across the country; Krousar Thmey, which pioneered inclusive education for blind and deaf children; Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE), which supports thousands of disadvantaged children and youth toward dignity and employment; and Sala Baï, which provides free vocational training in hospitality to underprivileged young Cambodians, as well as institutional partners like the French Embassy, AFD, and France Volontaires. These collaborations ensure that our work is both relevant and impactful.

At the same time, what we are really looking for now are motivated actors and committed donors who want to co-create meaningful development projects in Cambodia and the wider region. Whether it is in environment, culture, education, handicap, or sports & development, we want to join forces with companies, foundations, and NGOs who believe that impact and sustainability go hand in hand.

Henry: How has La Guilde navigated this landscape? What challenges do international NGOs typically face in Cambodia, and how has La Guilde adapted?

Romain: Cambodia’s NGO sector is rich and diverse, but local organisations often lack access to international partners and funding opportunities. One example: La Guilde runs a micro-project fund, financing grassroots initiatives up to €20,000. Many Cambodian NGOs are eligible and have strong ideas, but to apply they must be partnered with a French NGO registered in France. This is where partnerships become crucial — French or international actors can really help unlock these opportunities.

opportunities you are looking into?

Romain: Looking forward, our vision is clear. We want to scale up impactful projects in our program development sector, mobilise new partnerships and donors across Cambodia and Southeast Asia, and leverage our micro-project funding mechanism to connect Cambodian NGOs with French and international partners. At the same time, we are committed to expanding our volunteer network, while ensuring that every mission contributes to sustainable development. La Guilde is not only here to support projects, but also to build bridges between Cambodian civil society, French and international organisations, and private sector actors. We believe that with the right partnerships, we can make a significant and lasting contribution to Cambodia and the region over the next decade.

Want to learn more about La Guilde européenne du Raid? Check out their website or contact Romain for more information!

Romain Butticker | romain.butticker@la-guilde.org

La Guilde européenne du Raid | https://la-guilde.org/