On Feb 28, the project “Enhancing Institutional and Operational Capacities of the Provincial Associations of Local Councils ” was officially launched at the Cambodiana Hotel in Phnom Penh. This 3-year project (2019-2021) is jointly implemented by the Association of Local Councils of Pursat, the Advocacy and Policy Institute (API), and Aide et Action International (AEA), with the financial support of the European Union (EU).
Focus & Objectives of the Project
This project focuses on strengthening the institutional and operational capacities of Provincial Associations of Local Councils (PALCs) and their members in target areas to promote accountability, transparency and responsiveness to citizens’ and vulnerable groups’ needs. More specifically, the objectives are to:
- increase the capacities of PALCs and their members to identify and address issues and needs of the community and vulnerable groups and
- support PALCs to develop innovative small-scale initiatives to address priority issues and the needs of both councils and vulnerable groups in target areas (Kampong Thom, Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Speu, Kep, Kandal, and Pursat provinces)
For Aide et Action, this project fits into its work and aim to build the capacity of local councils to design, implement and manage Cambodia’s sustainable development and to enable them to develop tailored educational services based on the needs and constraints of marginalized and vulnerable groups in the community, in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) – “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.
Workshop & Launch
The official project launch on 28 February 2019 was attended by 70 leaders and representatives from the six local Provincial Associations of Local Councils (PALCs), UN agencies, development partners, the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development (NCDD) secretariat, the National League of Local Councils (NLCs), local authorities and civil society organizations.
Besides giving the official starting shot for the project, this kick-off workshop and launch intended to promote the engagement and visibility of all the key project partners and stakeholders in strengthening the institutional and operational capacities of the Provincial Association of Local Councils and their members in enhancing accountability, transparency and responsiveness to citizens and vulnerable groups’ needs and in empowering the voices and actions of youth, women and other citizens for sustainable development in Cambodia. Furthermore, the occasion also signified the announcement of the official partnership between the six target Provincial Associations of Local Councils, NGOs and development partners of the projects.
The Impact
This project will directly and indirectly impact an estimated 3,210,849 people of which approximately 1,652,945 women, 1,585,196 children and youth, 305,030 people with disabilities, and 74,510 IDPoor families (i.e. households officially identified as poor) across 35 districts of Pursat, Banteay Meanchay, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kandal and Kep provinces.
By the end of the project, the local councils will have been institutionally strengthened to better perform their role in identifying and addressing issues and needs of the people in the community and vulnerable groups. They will be better placed to scale up innovative actions to address priority issues and needs of both councils and vulnerable groups in the target areas. They will also have enhanced their capacity to represent the local councils with a joint voice at the higher government levels in support of further local democratic development.
Project Essentials:
Timeframe: 2019-2021
Funding: European Union (EU)
Implementing Partners:
- Association of Local Councils of Pursat
- Advocacy and Policy Institute (API)
- Aide et Action International (AEA)
Target Provinces:
- Banteay Meanchey
- Kampong Speu
- Kampong Thom
- Kandal
- Kep
- Pursat