Improved Service Delivery for Citizens in Cambodia Phase II (ISD II)
With Swiss added value on democratic governance, the project will support local governments in Cambodia to become more responsive and accountable to their citizens. In four provinces, 18 local administrations will improve essential services such as water and waste management, public services administration and social accountability. By strengthening citizen participation, digital tools, and climate-smart planning, the project contributes to more transparent and efficient local governance.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cambodia |
Governance Water
Decentralisation
Democratic participation and civil society Water sector policy |
01.01.2026
- 31.12.2030 |
CHF 4’100’000
|
- All citizens living in the targeted Districts and Municipalities, and all citizens in the four provinces
- All service providers, elected councils in the champion Districts and Municipalities
- Key stakeholders at the national level including NCDD-S and relevant sector ministries
- The multi-level approach of combining national level policy advice with Districts and Municipalities (DM) Level work on service improvements has proven effective and forms the basis for ISD II.
- The external evaluation recommended rather than going into new DMs with new themes, to go deeper with a smaller number of DMs. This recommendation is integrated in the approach of working with a cohort of “champion” DMs with a higher ambition for a holistic approach.
- Tangible service improvements are possible and the process of working with institutionalised sub-committees under the DM council has proven to be a very effective mechanism to mobilise actors and resources for local change.
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GIZ
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Decentralisation and support to subnational government (incl. accountability)
Democratic participation and civil society
Water sector policy and administrative management
Aid Type Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F10743
| Background | Cambodia has made measurable progress in decentralization by gradually enhancing public service delivery. The reforms receive public support and underpin the county’s goal of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2050. SDC’s support to the Cambodia’s Decentralization reform efforts, aimed at ensuring sustainable development outcomes. A key milestone has been the transfer of 55 functions across 20 sectors to District and Municipal administrations, strengthening local governance and promoting more responsive, accountable service provision. Despite the progress the reforms continue to face systemic challenges . Limited technical capacity, especially in environmentalsensitive and inclusive planning, combined with weak digital competencies, hinder effective service delivery and the use of e-governance tools. These constraints contribute to persistent gaps in access to services, leaving many communities underserved and highlighting the need for stronger institutional support and capacity-building. only about 20% of persons involved in local decision-making are women, evidence of a substantial lack in Gender. |
| Objectives | The population in selected partner provinces of Cambodia has access to improved inclusive, climate sensitive and digital services of districts and municipalities. |
| Target groups |
The direct beneficiaries of the project are: |
| Medium-term outcomes |
Outcome 1: Selected DMs in the partner provinces have improved operational capacity for inclusive, climate sensitive and digital delivery of selected administrative and sector services. Outcome 2: The institutional capacities of selected DMs in the partner provinces to perform steering and management functions for inclusive, gender-sensitive, climate-sensitive and digital service provision are improved. Outcome 3: Mechanisms for meaningful citizen participation and accountability in service provision in selected DMs in the partner provinces are strengthened. Outcome 4: Practitioners from DMs have access to relevant technical and methodological knowledge, good practices and lessons learned for improved in-clusive, climate sensitive and digital service provision. Outcome 5: The legal, financial and strategic conditions for the inclusive, climate-sen-sitive and digital service provision in selected partner provinces are improved. |
| Results |
Expected results: a) Improved operational capacity of DMs for inclusive, climate-sensitive and digital service delivery; b) Strengthened institutional capacities of DMs for steering and management; c) Strengthened mechanisms for participation and accountability in service delivery; d) Improved access to knowledge and learning experiences for sustainable services; e) Improved legal, financial and strategic framework conditions for service delivery Results from previous phases: |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Project partners |
Contract partner Foreign state institution |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 4’100’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 16’600’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 5’961’708 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 10’625’000 |
| Project phases |
Phase 2 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2030 (Active) Phase 1 01.06.2021 - 31.12.2025 (Current phase) |
