Donors: SIDA and UNESCO
Location: Phnom Penh, Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom, Pursat, Banteay
Duration: 2015-2018
Budget: 113,960 EUR

Introduction 

Access to information is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of democratic governance. In Cambodia, the absence of a comprehensive legal framework for public information disclosure has long hindered transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. Recognizing this gap, API, in partnership with UNESCO and OHCHR, launched a multi-year initiative to support the development of an effective Access to Information (A2I) Law.

The project aimed to bridge the divide between government institutions and citizens by promoting participatory law-making and ensuring that the draft law reflects both international standards and the realities of Cambodian society. Through inclusive consultations, legal reviews, and capacity-building efforts, the initiative empowered civil society organizations (CSOs), local authorities, and communities to contribute meaningfully to the law’s development. The process also served as a model for collaborative policymaking, demonstrating the value of multi-stakeholder engagement in shaping legislation that serves the public interest.

Results

1. Drafting and Legal Review

• • The A2I Technical Working Group (A2ITWG), with inputs from UNESCO, OHCHR, and CSOs, completed the draft A2I law and disseminated it publicly on 31 January 2018. 

• • A legal team conducted nine sectoral legal reviews and consolidated them into one comprehensive report, distributed to government ministries, NGOs, the private sector, and the public. 

• • Two specialized reports on “Secrecy of Information” and “Complaint Mechanism” were developed and submitted to the Ministry of Information, UNESCO, and OHCHR. 

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy

• • API organized seven sectoral consultative forums and multiple expert meetings with CSOs, UN agencies, and government institutions to gather inputs and advocate for integration into the draft law. 

• • Inputs focused on general provisions, rights and obligations, procedures, confidentiality, protection for whistleblowers, and enforcement mechanisms. 

• • API and CSO representatives held advocacy meetings with ministries and parliamentarians, resulting in the inclusion of several CSO recommendations in the draft law. 

3. Capacity Building

• • A training curriculum on A2I was developed and used to train 166 local councilors (50 women) across six provinces. 

• • A reflection and learning workshop was held in Siem Reap with 34 local authority staff to assess training outcomes and gather feedback. 

4. Public Awareness and Outreach

API and partners conducted 150 radio talk shows, community forums, and outreach campaigns, engaging over 10,000 community members (4,137 women) to raise awareness on A2I. 

5. Sustainability and Impact

• • The project fostered strong collaboration between CSOs and government institutions, built legal and policy knowledge, and strengthened political will for the A2I law. 

• • The draft law incorporated international standards and principles, and the participatory process served as a model for future law development.