Blogs
From Phnom Penh to Taipei: ODC Takes on the g0v Summit
On 23-24 May 2026, the Open Development Cambodia (ODC) team touched down in Taipei, Taiwan, for one of the most exciting gatherings in the civic tech world, the g0v Summit 2026.g0v (pronounced “gov-zero”) is a decentralized civic tech community from Taiwan advocating for information transparency and builds tech solutions that help citizens participate in public affairs from the grassroots up. Their biennial summits are centered on “Information Transparency, Open Results, and Open Collaboration,” bringing together civic hackers, open data advocates, and digital governance practitioners from around the globe. This year’s theme was Invite Yourself, because in this community, nobody waits around to be asked.ODC is excited to be back at the summit! In 2018, ODC was invited for a sharing session on “Bringing open data to the community in developing Southeast Asia,” under the topic “Open data global perspectives,” bringing the Cambodian open data experience to the g0v summit.This year, ODC had its very own booth at the summit, where ...
Technical Mapping Meet-up highlights innovations in agriculture mapping, conservation technology, and forest disturbance monitoring
Open Development Cambodia (ODC) successfully organized the Technical Mapping Meet-up on 22 May 2026 in Phnom Penh. The event brought together 47 participants (16 women and 2 indigenous people) Geographic Information System (GIS) professionals, researchers, conservation practitioners, government, civil society organizations, students, and technology enthusiasts ...
Strengthening public access to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Cambodia
Access to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) information remains limited for many communities and stakeholders in Cambodia, despite the growing number of large-scale investment and infrastructure projects across the country. To support greater transparency and public access to environmental information, Open Development Cambodia (ODC) presented its ...
Strengthening community capacity on data management and environmental impact assessment in Koh Kong
On 8–9 April 2026, the Open Development Cambodia (ODC) Team participated as speakers in a capacity-building training focused on leadership, facilitation skills, community data management, and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) awareness for networks of community fisheries and community protected areas in Koh Kong.The training was ...
Ideathon: Building confidence through ideas
I remember it clearly. Two years ago, fresh out of high school, I tried applying for exchange programs and scholarships abroad for the first time. I was excited, nervous, and hopeful. Spoiler alert, I didn’t even get to submit a single application. Not because I ...
Ideathon: Unlocking new horizons
When I first joined the Ideathon, I never imagined that it would lead to a study visit to Singapore. Winning the Ideathon and gaining the opportunity were both an honor and a turning point for our team. We began with Refair, an idea for a ...
Ideathon: Bridging innovation and AI experts
We saw the competition announcement of the AI for Gender Inclusion Ideathon by Open Development Cambodia (ODC) and GIZ Cambodia just two days before the deadline. I was not sure if we could apply for it on time, but then we decided to just try, ...
Strengthening reporting using data: Building the capacity of journalists to report on natural resources in Cambodia
On 28–30 March 2026, a group of passionate journalists and aspiring storytellers joined a three-day training on “Data Literacy for Reporting on Natural Resources” in Phnom Penh.Organized by Open Development Cambodia (ODC) with funding supported by Global Forest Watch (GFW), the training aimed to bridge ...
Celebrating Open Data Day 2026: Expanding impact beyond Phnom Penh
Open Data Day is a global celebration that brings together communities, organizations, and governments to highlight the importance of open data in addressing real-world challenges. Around the world, events range from workshops and panel discussions to hackathons and community forums, all aimed at demonstrating how ...
Bringing open data closer to students: ODC celebrates Open Data Day 2026 at Chean Muk Secondary School
As digital information becomes increasingly important in everyday life, helping young people understand data is becoming an essential part of preparing them for the future. To mark Open Data Day 2026, on 12 March 2026, through the Prayuters Library Program in Preah Vihear province, Open ...
Strengthening community fisheries through data: A consultation in Preah Sihanouk Province
On the morning of 04 March 2026, in the coastal district of Prey Nop, Preah Sihanouk province, a diverse group of stakeholders gathered with a shared purpose: to ensure that the stories, realities, and challenges of Cambodia’s coastal fishing communities are accurately reflected in data ...
Learning about data through drawing: Open Data Day 2026 at Pahal Primary School
Helping children understand data does not always begin with numbers or definitions; it can also begin with imagination, colour, and familiar objects from daily life. As part of Open Data Day 2026, on 12 March 2026, through the Prayuters ...
Consultation workshop on community fisheries data held in Kampot province
In an effort to promote open data and strengthen the management of coastal resources, the Open Development Cambodia (ODC) team recently organized a consultation workshop in Kampot province to present and gather feedback on data and information related to community fisheries in Kep and Kampot ...
From practice to purpose: A story of adaptation and growth
When Sokna joined the project, he stepped in as a trainer with a strong motivation to make meaningful use of his background in IT and cybersecurity. After learning about this opportunity from his friend, Davy, who is also one of the toolkits’ trainers, he was ...
Technical Mapping Meet-up: Strengthening knowledge on forest cover mapping and remote sensing
On 20 March 2026, a Technical Mapping Meet-up was successfully organized, bringing together 37 participants (including 19 females) from diverse backgrounds, including GIS practitioners, government representatives, researchers, students, and mapping enthusiasts.The event provided a collaborative platform to exchange knowledge and practical experiences related to forest ...
From data to action: strengthening environmental information for communities
On 10 February 2026, Open Development Cambodia (ODC) organized a half-day workshop titled Strengthening the Impact of Environmental, Land, and Natural Resource Data. The workshop was attended by 23 participants, including 12 female participants, representing CSOs members from Phnom Penh, Kampot, Ratanakiri, Koh Kong, and ...
Advancing open data in the Mekong region: Reflections from the 2025 regional dialogue
On 27 October 2025, Open Development Cambodia (ODC), in partnership with the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC) and supported by International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and other donors, successfully convened a full-day workshop titled Regional Dialogue on Open Data in the Mekong Countries: Challenges and ...
AI and disinformation on digital platforms
Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the way information is created and shared, but it has also intensified the spread of mis- and disinformation. As Cambodia prepares its Draft National AI Strategy (2025-2030), information integrity is an element that cannot be neglected. It is against this backdrop that the panel discussion on ...
Launching of the ScamCheck AI
Online scams are rapidly increasing in Cambodia and the region, causing not only financial loss but also emotional distress. Common scams include “cheap and affordable” items that never arrive, fake high-paying job offers, phishing links disguised as banks or delivery services, and even deepfake videos and forged documents. These scams exploit trust and ...
Cambodia’s path to universal connectivity: insights from experts
With Cambodia’s Digital Government Policy 2022-2035 and Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2035, Cambodia is actively advancing toward a fully digital society. Achieving universal connectivity is therefore crucial to providing widespread, affordable access to mobile services and supporting the country’s broader development objectives. During the keynote, Mr. Penh Sokharath, ...
Bridging digital skill gap: How AI is shaping the future of careers
As Cambodia continues moving toward a digital future, especially with Cambodia’s Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2035, aiming to build a vibrant digital economy and society, this panel discussion “Bridging Digital Skill Gap: How AI is shaping the future of careers” invited experts from the academia, the private ...
Evolving landscape of internet governance: why multi-stakeholder dialogue matters?
The digital world is expanding at a pace that consistently outstrips the policies designed to guide it. In this context, Mr. Edmond Chung, CEO of DotAsia, presented the history, current situation, and the path forward of Internet governance. He opened by underscoring the vital importance ...
Unboxing internet infrastructures and their environmental costs and what you can do about it: youth’s crucial role in building an inclusive and sustainable internet society
The presentation session, “Unboxing Internet Infrastructures and Their Environmental Costs,” commenced with a video presentation by Ms. Dhanyashri Kamalakannan, Governance Lead and Design Researcher at The Pranava Institute. One key message stood out clearly: youth participation is essential for building an inclusive and sustainable digital society. ...
Advancing digital, media, and information literacy in Cambodia
Cambodia’s Digital, Media, and Information Literacy Competency Framework (DMIL) laid out the pathway in response to the urgent need to develop the “Digital Citizen,” which is an integral part that supports the current vibrant digital economy and society. Against this backdrop, the panel discussion on “Advancing ...
Cambodia’s path to a Personal Data Protection Law: Highlights from Cambodia’s first National Conference on Personal Data Protection 2025
Panel discussion during the Consultative Workshop on Draft Law on Personal Data ProtectionOn October 7, 2025, Open Development Cambodia (ODC) had the opportunity to attend the first National Conference on Personal Data Protection in Phnom Penh. The event was organized by the Ministry of Post ...
