Donors: Bread for the World (BfdW) and DanChurch Aid (DCA) 
Location: Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Thom 
Duration: 2017-2019 

Introduction 

This 3-year long Project was funded by the German organization Bread for the World (BfdW) and the Danish DanChurch Aid (DCA) and aimed to improve the capacities of individuals (women, men and youth) and CBOs to participate in decision-making processes at commune level, the support the development of local communities. These objectives were reached by a combined use of training, coaching, public forums and dialogue facilitation, accompanied by monitoring and the use of scorecards to provide evidence of citizens’ evaluation of service quality. The Project helped strengthen the capacities of local councils’ officials, for them to better work with CBOs and NGOs in response to public needs. 

Results

Overall Impact 

The Project had strong positive effects on all target groups by increasing civic participation, strengthening local governance, and enhancing the quality of community development. 

Strengthened Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) 

CBOs now have stronger capacity and confidence to engage with government at commune, district, and even national levels. 

CBO members better understand both their own and local authorities’ roles in development. 

Some CBO members now hold leadership roles in village councils, enhancing grassroots representation. 

Increased Participation of Women 

• Marked rise in women engaging with local authorities 

• Information requests increased from 50% to 76%. 

• Complaints from women rose from 47% to 68%. 

• Service requests went up from 51% to 75%. 

Enhanced Engagement of Local Authorities (LAs) 

• LAs improved transparency by sharing public service fees, policies, and budgets. 

• Authorities became more open, proactive, and responsive to citizens and CBOs. 

• Recognized the value of CBOs as vital connectors to community needs. 

Improved Community Development Planning 

• Commune, investment, and district development plans are now more inclusive and grounded in actual community needs. 

• Civic space was created for collaboration between citizens and authorities, leading to more effective planning and solutions.