Our Services
Advocacy in Cambodia has come a long way since it emerged in the early 1990s. Increasing numbers of Cambodians recognise that advocacy can push policy-makers to implement changes, thereby improving the lives of individuals and communities. As more Cambodians become aware of the power of advocacy, demand has arisen for capacity development initiatives that support community advocacy groups on issues such as land disputes, corruption, law enforcement, natural resource management, freedom of expression, labour conditions, and human rights. There is more, however, that needs to be done for Cambodian civil society and community-based organisations to effectively voice and promote their needs and demands.
Train with API
The Advocacy and Policy Institute (API) works towards building capacity for Cambodian advocates with regard to advocacy skills and policy development. API therefore seeks to strengthen the policy influencing capacity of Cambodian advocates from across all sectors and community levels. The aim of API is to help Cambodian advocates acquire new knowledge and skills in designing, managing, implementing, and evaluating lobbying and advocacy campaigns and initiatives, as well as in consolidating relationships with Government institutions, determining policy makers to implement change and address community issues.
What we Offer
In response to the pressing needs and demands of emerging Cambodian advocates, API has designed several types of trainings:
A1 |
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A1 |
AdvocacyAdvocacy Skills |
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Duration 5 days |
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Price 250 usd |
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Type Standard |
This course is meant primarily for representatitves of NGOs and community based organisations, and it aims at developing and improving their skills in the areas of advocacy and influencing policy development. Participants will acquire basic notions of advocacy campaign management, they will learn to identify stakeholders and set up communication channels with them. During the training, we will help civil society organisations develop plans for advocacy, lobbying and influencing government policy.
A2 |
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A2 |
AdvocacyAdvanced Advocacy |
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Duration 6 days |
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Price 300 usd |
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Type Standard |
This training for advanced civil society advocates will enable participants to study this popular subject in depth and in an atmosphere conducive to reflection and analysis. In this intensive course we aim at applying general notions to the current Cambodian context and critically engaging participants through presentations, case studies, interactive group work as well as by sharing insights and experience.
A3 |
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A3 |
AdvocacyLobby Skills |
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Duration 3 days |
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Price 150 usd |
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Type On demand |
In this course, we are focusing on the distinction between lobbying and advocacy, we define the role of a lobbyist, we analyse stakeholders and power relations, and we develop a strategic communication plan. We also learn how to draft a talking point, a briefing note and a position paper, how to arrange a meeting with government representatives, and how to develop lobbying plans, methods and tools.
A4 |
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A4 |
AdvocacyGrassroots Advocacy Training |
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Duration 3 days |
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Price 150 usd |
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Type On demand |
This training focuses on the main concepts, skills and attitudes grassroots advocates should possess. By the end of the course, participants will become convincing when explaining their issues related to local services and will understand the roles of relevant stakeholders as spelled out in relevant local democratic development plans, laws and policies. Together, we will learn about methods and strategies for advocating at the sub-national level, we will develop advocacy plans and learn how to monitor advocacy actions.
A5 |
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A5 |
AdvocacyPublic Policy Analysis |
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Duration 5 days |
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Price 250 usd |
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Type On demand |
The main goal of this course is to build capacity for advocates to better engage in the strategic policy dialogues, especially in the formulation and the implementation of policies and strategies. The training sessions are designed and conducted to answer questions like: Why do policies, policy implementation practices and gaps in policies matter at all? What are the priorities, problems and solutions related to a certain, concrete policy? Who are the key stakeholders involved in or affected by that policy? How to design an advocacy action plan for addressing the identified issues? What are the main concepts, frameworks, techniques, principles, and best practices used in advocacy? How to debate on critical issues, develop advocacy messages, and prepare advocacy briefing papers for policy makers, the media and the general public? How to develop tools for monitoring the results of the advocacy campaigns, especially the results of meetings with government officials? Which individual and interpersonal skills, which networks, which teambuilding measures are relevant for advocacy, and how to develop good leadership?
A6 |
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A6 |
AdvocacyAdvocacy Expert Training |
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Duration 30 days |
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Price 1500 usd |
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Type On demand |
This package is meant for professionals of advocacy who have the desire to extend and improve their skills. Over a total period of one year, participants will be going through six learning modules covering topics such as advocacy campaign management, building relationship with the Government, working with the media, building and maintaining coalitions, advocacy through legal services, and community mobilisation, respectively.
CG1 |
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CG1 |
Change the Game AcademyMobilising Support |
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Duration 11 days |
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Price 120 usd |
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Type Standard |
This training package is organised in partnership with the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC) and it is part of the programme called "Change the Game Academy", funded by the Wilde Ganzen Foundation (Netherlands). The main target group are representatives of civil society organisations who are concerned about certain issues, but are struggling to make their voices heard. At the end of this ambitious, five month long journey, the participants will gain a broad understanding of all key aspects of lobbying and advocacy, they will know how to get more support and commitment from stakeholders and decision makers, and will therefore be able to better advance the causes that are important to them. A key element of the package is working together in order to develop a solid mobilising support plan based on the concepts and methods participants will learn. You can find more information about this course by downloading our flyer or visiting this online resource page.
CG2 |
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CG2 |
Change the Game AcademyLocal Fundraising |
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Duration 7 days |
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Price 150 usd |
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Type Standard |
The main goal of the course is to strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations when they engage in local fundraising and local resource mobilization. The main target group are organisations with no or only little experience in these fields. But even if more relevant experience is available, we are convinced that the participants will still find the information, tools and exercises offered in this course extremely useful. The training deploys a blended learning approach, that is a combination of face to face classroom sessions, e-learning tools and materials, as well as collective and individual coaching. This training package is also organised in partnership with the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC) and it is part of the programme called "Change the Game Academy", funded by the Wilde Ganzen Foundation (Netherlands).
A2I1 |
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A2I1 |
Access to Information (A2I)A2I - Requesting Public Information |
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Duration 5 days |
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Price 250 usd |
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Type Standard |
Access to information is a fundamental right of everyone, including citizens, government officials, public service providers, representatives of the private sector and NGOs. It is crucial in promoting transparency, accountability and fight against corruption. In other words, it enhances people's knowledge and promotes effective participation. In this course, representatives of civil society organisations will get a better understanding of the right to access public information and the principles it is based on. Our trainers will present the main Cambodian laws, policies and regulations currently governing this field, will provide details on the roles and duties public officials have in this respect, and will also elaborate on the contents of the new Draft for an Access to Information Law.
A2I2 |
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A2I2 |
Access to Information (A2I)A2I - Disclosing Public Information |
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Duration 3 days |
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Price 150 usd |
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Type On demand |
Public officials currently still have a limited understanding of the right to access public information. Misconceptions about this topic are still widespread, generally being only based on superficial coverage during television and radio programmes or on social media. This training aims to build the capacity of sub-national government officials and local councillors on the key contents of the draft for an A2I law and other relevant legislation, as well as on the guidelines to be implemented in the field of information management and disclosure to support the open government initiative. During the course, our trainers will explain the positive impact of information release, and participants will share their experience and their current practices of information disclosure. As a result, they will become familiar with their roles and duties in disclosing information, the procedures of requesting and supplying information, the concept of confidential information, the complaint mechanisms available, and the sanctions the new draft law stipulates for non-compliance and failure to disclose public information. The course also aims at teaching public officials how to manage information in insightful ways, using modern technology.
ISAF1 |
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ISAF1 |
Implementing the Social Accountability Framework (I-SAF)I-SAF for NGOs, CBOs and CAFs |
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Duration 10 days |
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Price 500 usd |
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Type On demand |
Implementing the Social Accountability Framework (I-SAF) is a broad reform package assumed by the Government of Cambodia and aimed at improving the quality of public services by making administration officials and service providers more responsive and sensitive to the needs and rights of citizens. Citizens are the final beneficiaries of these services, and they have the right to hold the providers accountable, assess the quality of the services and participate in decisions concerning these fields. This course is meant for representatives of NGOs and community based organisations, as well as for community accountability facilitators (CAFs). It is a practical course which gives participants a chance to score the performance of the local public service providers and jointly propose action plans for the improvement of these services. By the end of the course, everybody will gain confidence and will be in a better position to disseminate the concepts they have learnt, spread the word in their communities, and show citizens how to assess the performances of service providers using digital tools. Furthermore, participants will be able to integrate citizens’ voices into the Join Accountability Action Plans (JAAP), in order to request responses from service providers in a timely and friendly manner.
ISAF2 |
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ISAF2 |
Implementing the Social Accountability Framework (I-SAF)I-SAF for Local Councillors and Administrations |
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Duration 6 days |
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Price 300 usd |
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Type On demand |
In order to ensure that local authorities, public schools or health centres provide quality services, officials working in these institutions need to be trained about the social accountability framework. By participating in this training, they will learn about of Cambodia's strategy in this field, but they will also gain a better understanding of their own, concrete performance requirements, of the standards for their services, of the idea of open budgets, as well as of citizens’ rights. Implementing the Social Accountability Framework (I-SAF) is a broad reform package assumed by the Government of Cambodia and aimed at improving the quality of public services by making administration officials and service providers more responsive and sensitive to the needs and rights of citizens. Citizens are the final beneficiaries of these services, and they have the right to hold the providers accountable, assess the quality of the services and participate in decisions concerning these fields.
LG1 |
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LG1 |
Local GovernanceEngaging in District Planning and Budgeting |
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Duration 3 days |
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Price 150 usd |
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Type Standard |
Our aim here is to build the capacity of NGOs, youth groups and other community based organisations in the areas of citizens' right to participate in planning and budgeting processes at the district level. We will learn about the roles and responsibilities of district authorities, enabling participants to gain the skills needed during budget dialogues and negotiations. Trainees will get the chance to share their knowledge with their teams, club or members, in an effort to advocate for their concers to be taken into account when the district authorities decide on the three year rolling investment plans (IP3). Moreover, our trainers will provide technical and logistic support, as welll as teach participants how to actively engage their members, collect issues and inputs from them and effectively represent them in the district annual planning and rolling investment planning processes.
LG2 |
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LG2 |
Local GovernanceEngaging in Commune Planning and Budgeting |
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Duration 3 days |
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Price 150 usd |
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Type On demand |
This course is similar to the previous one (LG1), and it has the same target groups and methods, but it focuses on planning and budgeting at the level of communes and sangkat administrations. Trainees representing youth groups or other civil society organisations will get the chance to advocate for their concerns to be taken into account by commune or sangkat officials, and to be integrated into the annual Commune Investment Plans (CIPs).
LG3 |
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LG3 |
Local GovernanceEngaging in Local Budgeting and Budget Analysis |
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Duration 3 days |
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Price 150 usd |
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Type On demand |
Here, we are also addressing youth groups and community based organisations with an ambition to engage in decision making processes at the local level. However, the main goal of this course is to teach participants how to analyse commune budgets using a simple digital tool. After undertaking the analysis of the current Commune Investment Plans (CIPs) of their local administrations, trainees will have an overview of the expenditure, and their chance to succeed in making concrete requests and suggestions for future budget allocations to their favourite sectors or activities will therefore improve.
LG4 |
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LG4 |
Local GovernanceRoles and Responsibilities of Local Councillors |
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Duration 3 days |
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Price 150 usd |
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Type On demand |
During this course, local councillors will reflect and try to clarify their roles and responsibilities in opening spaces for and encouraging community based organisations, youth and other citizens to engage in various activities, such as the monthly meetings of local councillors, public fora, awareness raising activities or other events. Officials will be reminded about their mission to serve citizens as the right holders who elected them, as well as about the need to respond to the citizens' requests, including requests for public information disclosure. By the end of the course, local councillors will better understand their general mandate and permissive function. Moreover, they will learn how to better monitor the implementation of local projects, how to decide on budget plans and expenses, and how to ensure all expenses are effective, efficient, and transparent.
S1 |
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S1 |
Skills for Local CouncillorsEffective Facilitation Skills |
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Duration 3 days |
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Price 150 usd |
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Type On demand |
This training strengthens the participants’ capacity to facilitate council meetings and workshops. The questions we will be addressing include: What is facilitation? What is meeting, training and workshop design? What needs to be considered when organizing these events? How to effectively organize them in order to achieve the expected objectives? What are the key methods which can be used? What are the characteristics and skills a facilitator should have? How to gain those skills? What to do in a difficult circumstances, for example, when dealing with participants who lose attention or create unexpected problems? The training uses mixed methods, various exercises on meeting, training and workshop design and facilitation, as well as on requesting feedback from participants.
S2 |
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S2 |
Skills for Local CouncillorsEffective Communication Skills |
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Duration 3 days |
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Price 150 usd |
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Type On demand |
Similarly addressed to local councillors, this course is aimed at teaching them how to communicate effectively in order to better fulfill their roles and pursue their aims. The topics we will be addressing include: What is communication? Why do we need to have good communication skills? The structure of communication processes. The skills required to effectively communicate with different stakeholders (e.g: active listening, summarizing, active observation, effective questioning, effective verbal and non-verbal communication, building confidence). How to avoid mistakes and wrong habits in communication? How to find out what the best tools are for your own communication efforts, fitting your own personality? What are possible barriers in communication and how to overcome them?
S3 |
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S3 |
Skills for Local CouncillorsProposal Writing for Small-Scale Projects |
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Duration 3 days |
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Price 150 usd |
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Type On demand |
Local officials also need to be able to design project proposals and budget plans, especially after the recent decentralisation reforms. This is not always an easy task, and therefore, in the course, we will be dealing with topics such as: What is proposal writing? What are the main steps of successful proposal writing? How to come up with project ideas by undertaking, for instance, a problem tree analysis? How to select your goals, objectives, outputs, indicators and desired impact in real project practice? How to design a logical framework for projects in general, using a simple format? How to prepare of budget plan? How to evaluate your own project proposal according to a checklist? The training uses a variety of practical exercises emphasising the steps of proposal and budget development. Participants will be requested to actually write short proposals, and will also receive feedback and advice from the trainers, regarding the proposals they have been writing.
API On-Demand Courses
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Advocacy |
Access to Information (A2I) |
Implementing the Social Accountability Framework (I-SAF) |
Local Governance |
Skills for Local Councillors |
Consulting Services
Beside trainings, API also offers various other on-demand capacity building and consulting services tailored for the needs of civil society and community based organisations. In order for us to be able to assess your needs and find the best solutions, please do not hesitate to contact us using the form below, specifying the issues your organisation wants covered.
Our Trainers and Facilitators
Socheat Lam
Director
Socheat Lam
Director
Over the past 15 years I have spent working for API in various positions, I have been facilitating over one hundred trainings and offering consultancy services in most of the thematic areas our organisation has been active in. While most of these capacity building activities have been aiming at improving the advocacy skills of Cambodian NGOs and the total number of institutional beneficiaries exceeds 600, various other entities such as local and central government bodies, international partner and donor organisations have also been participating in my trainings, both in Cambodia and in the wider region. Currently, as API's Director, my availability for offering direct trainings is obviously quite limited. However, whenever possible, it is always a pleasure for me to return to the roots and basics of our field work with beneficiaries, especially when it comes to topics such as good governance, advocacy and human rights. As a theoretical foundation or as the result of my capacity building services, I have also led and or have been part of teams of authors, elaborating a number of research papers, studies, evaluations, training manuals and guidelines related to good governance, advocacy and human rights.
Sinthay Neb
Consultant, Senior Trainer and Former API Director
Sinthay Neb
Consultant, Senior Trainer and Former API Director
I have around 25 years’ experience working with Cambodian and international NGOs in the areas of decentralisation, good governance, access to information, transparency and accountabilty, civil society development, advocacy and policy, capacity building and training, youth and education, disarmament and demobilisation, peace and conflict resolution. Over the past two decades, I have held senior management positions with civil society organisations, including as API's first director. During this time, I have also been designing and offering training programmes for civil society organisations and local government representatives, concentrating on topics such as access to information, good governance, rights based approaches, transparency, human rights, advocacy and lobby skills, peace and conflict management, human trafficking, project management, NGO governance, report writing, and information management. I hold a Master's Degree from the European Peace University in Austria and a Bachelor's from the Pannasastra University in Phnom Penh.
Samoeun Sok
Consultant Trainer
Samoeun Sok
Consultant Trainer
I am an Attorney at Law of the Bar Association of Cambodia and I work as a Chief Attorney for the AMRIN Law and Consultants Group. Between 1994 and 2012, I served as an executive director of the Cambodian Defenders Project. Under my leadership, this lawyers' initiative represented more than ten thousand cases, including land conflict cases with hundreds of families just in one single case. During that period, I organized numerous workshops about legal issues and the administration of justice in Cambodia. Many judges, prosecutors, police officers, military officers and human rights activists participated in those workshops and seminars. As a former director of the Police Training School, I organized several training courses for more than ten thousand police officers, and I was also invited to give lectures at the Cambodian Police Academy. I received an International Human Rights Defenders' Award from the American Bar in 2002, a medal of Saraphorn from the Cambodian Prime Minister in 2010, many many certificates of appreciation from various NGOs.
Thary Tan
ICT Trainer
Thary Tan
ICT Trainer
Learn about data protection from Thary!!
Phorp-Barmey Phan
Senior Programme Manager and Trainer
Phorp-Barmey Phan
Senior Programme Manager and Trainer
In my trainings, I concentrate on topics such as the access to public information, good governance and law enforcement, social accountability, advocacy and policy influencing, human rights, and local fundraising. I have played a leading role in courses API offered to youth, community based organisations and other civil society partners, as well as local authorities. As a focal trainer, I conduct training need assessments, develop training tools and training materials.
Vanpannit Man
Senior Programme Manager and Trainer
Vanpannit Man
Senior Programme Manager and Trainer
With over 10 years of experience on capacity building and 15 years of work in the NGOs sector, I have provided a great number of trainings to numerous participants. The trainings have mainly been focusing on advocacy, mobilising support, access to information, social accountability, good governance, the structure, roles and responsibilities of local authorities, their general mandate and permissive function, commune budget literacy, basic human rights, citizens' right to engage with authorities, public speaking, facilitation and listening skills.
Pitou Chhay
Senior Programme Officer and Trainer
Pitou Chhay
Senior Programme Officer and Trainer
In the trainings I offer, I mostly concentrate on good governance and accountability. Among the participants to the courses I have been offering so far, I would like to mention Community Accountability Facilitators (CAFs).
Sopheap Chea
Senior Programme Officer and Trainer
Sopheap Chea
Senior Programme Officer and Trainer
In my on-site trainings, I focus on grassroots advocacy, legal frameworks, writing case study and planning, including small project planning for the communities. I'm also active in the training of trainers in these areas. As a trainer, I would like to see a real and constant change of mind set, practices and skills every day.
Oeurn Sim
Master Trainer
Oeurn Sim
Master Trainer
My main training areas are project management, leadership and community development, good governance, education and school governance, civic engagement, social accountability, topics related to the local administration law, local economic development, gender mainstreaming and analysis. I have played a significant role in project design, as well as in leading the project team to provide both training and coaching to local and international organisations, companies and Government officials.
Sovanny Hong
Programme Officer and Trainer
Sovanny Hong
Programme Officer and Trainer
Good governace, social accountability tools and the I-SAF reforms are among the main special topics of my trainings. Beyond these, I can also offer more general courses on management and leadership, communication and negotiation, facilitation, advanced training of trainers, as well as on gender issues. In my focus area, I have often elaborated training manuals for the participants as well.
Chhunneat Tak
Programme Officer and Trainer
Chhunneat Tak
Programme Officer and Trainer
In my trainings on social accountability, I try to teach citizens how to monitor the performance of local authorities and service providers, and I also focus on collective action for change, for example by working with community facilitators. Based on my previous experience in social service mapping, I am also developing API training tools and materials related to the I-SAF reform policies.
Testimonials
“After I attended the Local Fundraising course, my soft skills definitely improved, and I could use them in order to develop small projects and address some issues in our target provinces. For example, while conducting meetings with commune councillors and other authorities, I have applied what I learnt both during this course and during the Mobilising Support Training. This gave me more courage to raise issues, talk about our needs and request clear answers.” (Pry Phally Phuong, BCV, Phnom Penh)
“In the training about requesting information from authorities, I learnt how to make such requests without fear. I believe it is the duty of the officials to provide an answer and respond to our needs. Once there is a clear law about this, it will be easier to get the required information, because this right will be defined better.” (Romorm Leap, youth from the province of Ratanakiri)
“Access to information is crucial for local communities, such as the forestry and fishing villages. If they know more about how things work and about what the rules are, they can be better citizens and adhere more to the law.” (Samnang Ork, Councillor in the Santuk district, province of Kampong Thom)
“The Mobilising Support Training Course helped us acquire more advocacy skills and start advocating at the national level, which is something we had never done before. So, after the training, Kdei Karona was able to directly address the Ministry of Education in order to promote gender equality. As a result, our programme was included in the national curriculum.” (Vuthy Bun, Kdei Karona, Phnom Penh)
Request a Training with API
To submit a request for an API training package or more information, please use the form below:
