Social accountability project set for launch
PHASE II of the Implementation of Social Accountability Framework (ISAF II), which aims to keep Cambodian citizens informed of the social services available, has been launched.
ISAF II is supported by multiple partners and implemented by local and international NGOs, as well as Cambodian state agencies including the National Committee for subNational Democratic Development (NCDD) Secretariat.
Among the partner organisations are the World Bank, the Australian embassy in Phnom Penh and World Vision International (Cambodia).
A December 5 joint press release explained that ISAF II 2023-25 aims to help Cambodians understand the services they are entitled to, while empowering them to provide regular feedback on the quality of services received.
In the release, Ministry of Interior secretary of state Ngy Chanphal explained that social accountability is a critical part of the government’s decentralisation and deconcentration reforms, which will ensure the improvement of communication between local authorities and citizens in the process of governance and local development.
“Together with local and international NGOs and our other development partners, we will surely improve local services to millions of children and families across Cambodia, in line with the government’s Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I,” he added.
Australian ambassador Justin Whyatt said the ISAF II will continue to build links between service providers and service users. The idea is to improve service delivery and make it more accessible to everyone.
“We also hope the process builds trust and partnerships at the sub-national level,” he added.
World Vision country director Janes Imanuel Ginting explained that the international NGO has supported the ISAF since 2016. He believes it has contributed to improvement in the quality delivery of essential public services, including at health centres, primary schools and administrative services at the commune level.
“By expanding our work with our partner NGOs today – through a new grant from the Australian government – and by sustaining the work we started with the support of the World Bank, we are scaling up ISAF to improve public services in 1,043 communes, 4,633 primary schools and 826 health centres. This will benefit over five million people by 2025,” he said.
The press release added that the Australia-World Bank Partnership for Promoting Inclusion, Sustainability and Equity in Cambodia, a singledonor trust fund also known as the PROMISE Partnership, has provided additional funding totalling $15 million.
“Strengthening and institutionalising the structures, systems and processes that increase citizen engagement provide transparency and improve service delivery. This aligns with the priorities of the Cambodian government under the National Programme for Sub-national Democratic Development Phase II 20212030,” it continued.