Trio on duty for Smiling Gecko

Agence Trio announces its collaboration with Smiling Gecko, a Swiss organization active in Cambodia that works tirelessly to improve the living conditions of rural populations through an innovative, sustainable development model.

A campus with diverse effects

Founded in 2012 by Swiss photographer Hannes Schmid, the organization Smiling Gecko unfolds its action starting from a 150-hectare campus on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, in the province of Kampong Chhnang.

This unique facility concentrates a series of initiatives and interlinked measures with the aim of permanently lifting the rural population out of poverty by combating its structural roots with a holistic approach.

In order to fulfill this mission, the association activates various Main axes:

• Basic training

A bilingual school (Khmer-English) already welcomes several hundred children, with the aim of enrolling more than 1,100 in total. Education is seen as a key lever for breaking the cycle of poverty between generations.

• Further education and vocational training

The campus offers practical training - in agriculture, crafts and the hotel industry - and is home to several socially active companies. These activities lead to career opportunities and increase the autonomy of young adults.

• Sustainable agriculture

Training courses for local farmers impart knowledge of organic farming methods. The result: healthy food, a stable income and better food security for the region.

• Health & Hygiene

The residents are offered medical care, accompanied by awareness campaigns on nutrition and hygiene, especially for children.

• Environmental awareness

Smiling Gecko integrates recycling projects and ecological education into its programs. A concrete commitment to prepare for a more sustainable future and a particularly important topic for the younger generation.

• Culture

In 2024, the organization The Gong a modern cultural center with a theater stage, a recording studio and spaces for artistic expression. This place supports young talent and gives Cambodia's contemporary culture a strong voice.

A recognized project... that has been too discreet in French-speaking Switzerland until now

While the Smiling Gecko model is very well known in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, it is still largely unknown in French-speaking Switzerland. This is exactly where the octopus will now go into action.

The Cambodian campus maintains Close relations with Switzerland. Smiling Gecko is based in Zurich and numerous well-known Swiss institutions support its work on the ground. Thanks to the donation of materials, the exchange of knowledge and visits by local training partners, the teams in Cambodia are in constant contact with the headquarters and the various partner institutions in Switzerland.

The role of Trio

Trio supports Smiling Gecko in its French-language development on various levels.

• Content development: the agency takes over the adaptation and creation of texts for the website as well as the French-language carriers of Smiling Gecko.

• Media Relations: The Octopus raises awareness of the organization's actions in the media in French-speaking Switzerland in order to give them more resonance.

• Fundraising: Trio supports the acquisition of funds from institutional players in French-speaking Switzerland, thanks to the efforts of CEO Michael Kamm, who is responsible for fundraising in French-speaking Switzerland.

Our stone as a contribution to construction

Working on this project is more than just a mandate for us. It is our pride, an honor and a means to put our skills at the service of a worthy cause. Every communication campaign counts. So does every contribution.

"Smiling Gecko embodies the vision of humanitarian aid that focuses on dignity and autonomy. An inspiring model that we would like to publicize and develop further," says Michael Kamm.