PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA — October 1, 2026] One young person's step onto the global stage is becoming a source of hope that helps another Cambodian university student continue their education. On October 1, 2026, SM Global Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Good Neighbors Cambodia at Good Neighbors Cambodia's headquarters in Phnom Penh. The agreement officially establishes a "The Good Neighbor Company" partnership, which aims to encourage voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) and spread positive influence.
"The Good Neighbor Company" is Good Neighbors' corporate social responsibility partnership program. It is designed to draw on each company's unique strengths and resources to bring about sustainable change in local communities, while inspiring other companies to join the movement.
This agreement introduces an innovative CSR model that connects two separate educational journeys through the shared values of giving and growing together. Each time a Cambodian student goes to study at a university in South Korea through SM Global Foundation's program, a scholarship contribution is automatically made to Good Neighbors Cambodia to support local students facing financial hardship. The scholarship will be used transparently to cover the living and study costs of local students who continue to pursue their dreams despite economic difficulties.
In addition, SM Global Foundation will provide regular monthly donations to Good Neighbors Cambodia to support child protection and community development projects, such as income-generation programs, helping to strengthen the foundations for self-reliance in Cambodia.
Speaking about the partnership under "The Good Neighbor Company," Shinwoong Yang, CEO of SM Global Foundation, said: "Having grown alongside Cambodia as a company for many years, we believe we have an important responsibility to give the experience and success we have gained here back to Cambodia's future generations. It is especially meaningful when one student's opportunity to learn and grow on an international stage becomes an opportunity to support another student's education and dreams. Starting with this agreement, we aim to build a sustainable virtues cycle in which education and giving continue to fuel further growth. Together with Good Neighbors Cambodia, we will also explore different models in which companies can naturally combine their business with social contribution, and we will actively share these good examples so that they spread to more companies and local communities."
Hyeonhee Yu, Country Director of Good Neighbors Cambodia, highlighted the importance of the partnership: "We are delighted to join hands with SM Global Foundation, which brings genuine values that go beyond simple support to brighten the futures of Cambodian youth. This partnership will be a great spark of hope for local communities."
For the past 18 years, SM Global Group has built its expertise providing accounting, tax, trust, investment and advisory services in Cambodia, while consistently supporting NGOs as well as education and scholarship programs. In 2024, the group established SM Global Foundation to manage and carry out its CSR activities more professionally.
Similarly, Good Neighbors Cambodia, is part of Good Neighbors, an international humanitarian NGO founded in Korea in 1991 and now working in more than 40 countries. Since 2002, Good Neighbors Cambodia has worked with communities in six provinces and Phnom Penh, where its more than 100 staff run programs in education, health, water and sanitation, livelihoods, child protection and emergency relief. In 2025 alone, these programs helped 41,880 children gain better access to quality education.
Key representatives from both organizations attended the signing ceremony, where they discussed specific plans for cooperation and committed to building a transparent and genuine partnership.
One student travels to South Korea to broaden their knowledge and perspective, while another pursues their academic dreams at home with reliable support. Connected by the shared value of learning, the journeys of these two young people will become a powerful force for growth, paving the way for Cambodia's future with "The Good Neighbor Company" walking alongside them.
