Under the Team Europe Initiative on deforestation-free value chains, FIT for FAIR is supporting partner countries in strengthening their readiness for evolving EU due diligence requirements. Recent milestones in Cambodia and Rwanda illustrate how dialogue can evolve into coordinated national action.
FIT for FAIR launches in Cambodia
With broad participation from government, the private sector and civil society, FIT for FAIR was officially launched in Cambodia. The workshop provided practical insights into the requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), while strengthening dialogue on deforestation-free value chains and corporate due diligence.
How can Cambodia strategically prepare for the EU’s new requirements on deforestation-free and responsible value chains?
This guiding question framed the event “Navigating Deforestation-Free Value Chains and Emerging Due Diligence Requirements”, held on 18 February 2026 in Phnom Penh. The event marked the official launch of FIT for FAIR in Cambodia – a flagship initiative under the Team Europe Initiative on deforestation-free value chains.
The exchange was jointly organised by EuroCham Cambodia and the International Trade Centre (ITC), in close coordination with the Delegation of the European Union to Cambodia. Around 80 representatives from government institutions, the private sector, certification bodies and civil society took part.
Not for the EU – but for Cambodia
In his welcoming remarks, H.E. Dr Sok Siphana, Senior Minister for Special Missions and Chairman of the Trade Policy Advisory Board (TPAB), set a clear tone: “When we try to save the planet, we don’t do it for the EU, but for ourselves…”. He stressed that Cambodia has an opportunity to demonstrate that sustainable production and export competitiveness can go hand in hand:
We have to make sure our rubber is deforestation-free… Cambodia has the opportunity to show that sustainable production and export competitiveness can go hand in hand
Mr Koen Everaert, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Cambodia, underlined that while the EUDR introduces new requirements, it also creates incentives for higher standards, improved traceability and stronger competitiveness. He emphasised that under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, the EU is deepening its partnership with the private sector through technical assistance, capacity building and improved traceability systems, in order to prepare Cambodian companies for increasing due diligence obligations and to strengthen their integration into sustainable global value chains.
The message was clear: EUDR readiness is not merely about regulatory compliance. It is about national responsibility, long-term competitiveness and sustainable development. The event focused in particular on the palm oil, natural rubber and timber sectors.
From requirements to practical steps
Mr Mathieu Lamolle, Senior Adviser at the International Trade Centre (ITC), delivered a detailed introduction to the objectives, scope and timeline of the EUDR. He outlined the specific due diligence obligations for relevant stakeholders and explained the practical implications for Cambodian exporters and other actors along the value chain.
Step by step, participants explored what EUDR readiness entails in practice: from legality documentation and record-keeping requirements to geolocation data, risk assessment and risk mitigation measures.
In addition to the EUDR, the workshop also examined the requirements of the CSDDD, particularly with regard to human rights due diligence across global value chains. This highlighted that the discussion goes beyond environmental criteria and extends to comprehensive corporate responsibility.
Private sector contributions demonstrated that some companies have already begun developing traceability systems and sustainable sourcing approaches. Breakout discussions provided space for open exchange on challenges and opportunities, including costs, data availability, governance issues and the inclusion of smallholders.
“We have to make sure our rubber is deforestation-free. We have to make sure we don't make money on one side and lose it on the other side at the expense of our biodiversity and climate.”
As the local host organisation, EuroCham Cambodia will now establish working groups to accompany the ongoing status quo and gap analysis and, building on this, to develop concrete policy recommendations.
With the launch of FIT for FAIR, a coordinated and participatory process has begun to systematically strengthen the preparedness of Cambodian stakeholders for evolving EU requirements – through dialogue, technical support and joint solutions across the entire value chain.
Rwanda’s National Roadmap for Aligning the Coffee Sector with EU Due Diligence Legislation
In Rwanda, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) implemented the FIT for FAIR process in close cooperation with the National Agriculture Export Development Board (NAEB), engaging a broad set of stakeholders along the supply chain to support coordinated action across government, the private sector, cooperatives and development partners, and to strengthen Rwanda’s readiness for EU due diligence legislation
The outcomes achieved include:
- An analysis of existing national due diligence legislation and regulatory frameworks
- A gap analysis comparing national legislation with EU due diligence requirements
The assessment demonstrated that Rwanda has made significant progress in developing laws and policies across environmental protection, forest governance, land tenure, labour rights, human rights, and child protection — reflecting a clear commitment to sustainability, social inclusion and ethical trade.
In addition, the EU Due Diligence Working Group developed policy recommendations and a National Roadmap.
The event held on 19 February in Kigali marked the success of a participatory journey. The roadmap was officially launched, providing clear priority actions, defined roles and implementation timelines to ensure Rwanda’s coffee remains sustainable, competitive and trusted in international markets.
The Roadmap focuses on key areas
- Legality
- Traceability
- Smallholder integration
- Decent work, living wages and waste management
These focus areas reflect evolving international demands regarding sustainability, human rights and accountability. They are not only compliance tools but are also designed to strengthen the Rwanda coffee value chain, enhance traceability and enable producers to stay competitive in demanding markets.
Across Cambodia and Rwanda, FIT for FAIR demonstrates how structured dialogue, coordinated working groups and national roadmaps can translate EU due diligence requirements into country-owned strategies that strengthen sustainability, competitiveness and long-term resilience in global value chains.
