| Project Detail |
Since the 1990s, Cambodia has pursued decentralization and local governance reform efforts aimed at rebuilding local infrastructure and developing livelihood opportunities. While this process required rebuilding public institutions at the subnational level from the outset, Cambodia reached a significant milestone in 2019, transferring functions from 20 sectors (such as education) to districts and municipalities. Today, fully implementing these transferred functions remains a national challenge. Since 2010, the National Program for Subnational Democratic Development has aimed to improve citizens access to public services and provide them with the equitable benefits of local development. Adopting a democratic and inclusive approach, decentralization reforms aim to improve public service delivery, eliminate poverty, and improve the quality of life. However, these expected results depend primarily on the capacity of subnational governments to implement their functions and respond to local needs. Objective The Citizen Services Improvement Programme in Cambodia, implemented by GIZ and initially co-financed by Switzerland (SDC) and Germany (BMZ) in 2022, aims to support local governments in providing quality and sustainable services to citizens, particularly in the areas of waste and water management, financial services and citizen participation in decision-making. The program takes a multi-level approach. It combines technical and process advice at the national and subnational levels. Intervention strategy In April 2025, Luxembourg decided to co-finance the programme for the last eight months of 2025. This decision is motivated by Luxembourgs desire to support decentralisation efforts and local governance reforms in a capacity development approach. Luxembourg aims to contribute to the key objectives of the programme by providing policy advice and support to subnational administrations, promoting the role of women in administrations, improving the accessibility and exchange of data between public sector institutions, developing and disseminating climate-sensitive waste and water management strategies, facilitating citizen interaction with subnational administrations through better access to decision-making and complaints mechanisms, and contributing to improving the financial management capacity of these administrations. |
