Improving public service delivery for citizens in Cambodia (ISD)

Context

Since introducing the first local government act in 2001, Cambodia has been steadily developing its decentralisation reform. December 2019 saw two significant steps in this reform process: (1) the transfer of wide-ranging sector tasks to the district and municipality level, and (2) the creation of an integrated local administrative structure where the line offices are now subordinated to the leadership of the district and municipality governors with the elected councils setting priorities and overseeing their implementation. What is still lacking are clear processes and local strategies for districts and municipalities to be able to exercise their new responsibilities.

Objective

The local governments are using strategies and improved procedures to deliver high-quality services inclusively and sustainably to the citizens.

Approach

The “Improved Service Delivery for Citizens in Cambodia” (ISD) programme aims to support local governments to deliver high-quality services to the citizens in the sectors of waste and water management, health, administrative services and through improved fiscal decentralisation.

ISD focuses primarily on:

1. the implementation of the National Programme on Sub-National Democratic Development 2021–2030 (NP-2) particularly in the health sector and for the promotion of women working in sub-national administration
2. administrative service delivery in digital and mobile form
3. the development of scalable and climate sensitive waste and water management strategies and their implementation
4. citizens’ access to decision-making processes and improving the complaint mechanism at district and municipal level and
5. strengthening the resilience of local finances.

The programme has a multi-level approach. It combines technical and process advice at national and sub-national levels.

Last update: January 2024