Our Identity
The Advocacy and Policy Institute (API) is a Cambodian non-governmental organisation active in advocacy, policy influencing, good governance and civic engagement. Capacity building and dialogue facilitation are at the heart of our efforts towards democratic and sustainable development.
We have received widespread aclaim from both local and international organisations for our reliability, relevance and professionalism. Over a time span of almost two decades, API has helped institutionalise advocacy skills and has been striving to make local democratic and accountable governance a reality. To these ends, we have been conducting more than 300 training courses for over 10,000 participants affiliated with civil society and community-based organisations, local councils, media outlets, trade unions, Government institutions and the Cambodian Parliament.
API is unique in Cambodia's civil society in serving as a connector and facilitator for citizens' empowerment in their interaction with government at all levels. API has acquired first-hand experience on policy issues like access to information (A2I) through its grassroots work. Based on this vast experience, we are in the best position to make the voices of ordinary citizens count in policy-making at the national level. Here we have been trying to support government actors serve citizens according to the law and contribute to an enabling environment for citizens and civil society to express their concerns. Finally, we have been playing an important role in helping citizens understand their rights, access to information and make use of the opportunities for engagement offered by various laws and government policies.
Our programmes are guided by a human rights based approach. API serves all Cambodians and values the diversity of gender, sexual orientation and identity, (dis)ability, ethnicity, faith and political opinons. At the same time, we are especially committed to support the most disadvantaged in their efforts to make their voices heard.
Our Core Values
Our Impact
API in Facts and Figures
Over the past 15 years, our organisation has come a long way, from a small programme established by our international partners to a well known actor playing a leading role in local civil society. We are now active in almost two thirds of Cambodia's provinces, and we are implementing more than ten projects at any given moment.
Our Vision
The Advocacy and Policy Institute’s vision is a Cambodian nation that – through poverty reduction and the protection of human rights – creates a national culture of harmony with sustainable democratic, political, and economic stability.
Our Mission
The organisation’s mission is to serve the long term democratic and social development needs of Cambodia through the empowerment of people to interact with their government to protect their rights and provide for their needs.
API is committed to working together with all national and international institutions who share its values of advocating for positive and peaceful social change. API also seeks to encourage coordination among government institutions, citizens and the private sector.
Our Goal
The organisation's goal is to widen Cambodia’s democratic space by creating more effective advocates and responsive government institutions.