Kick off meeting on project “improving public service delivery through the use of ICT”

Cambodia is moving forward with a fast phase development in technology advancement. The country has reached more than 12.5 million internet users in the late 2018 following an increase of mobile operators’ service expansion in rural areas, according to Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC). With this connectivity, the government can easily deliver their services to citizens and people can easily access to beneficial contents and services which they can use to improve their daily lives. However, there is still a lack of action in promoting the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in public service delivery, especially in the sub-national level in Cambodia.

Group photo

Open Development Cambodia (ODC) in partnership with STAR Kampuchea (SK) and Cambodia Centre for Independent Media (CCIM) has been working on the project entitled “Improving the Public Service Delivery through the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT)”. The project will be implemented from June to October 2019 aiming to 1.) Increased access to public services information on the ODC platform, 2.) Raise awareness on how to access and understand this data to citizens and government officials at the local level 3.) Promote the use of ICT tools: ODC online platform, Kobo Toolbox for assessing public service, and 4.) Create a culture of discussion between service providers and citizens via radio dialogue and documentation of best practices in the project areas.

The three organizations are discussing to sharpen the strategic plan as well as to synergize the action plan.

On the 7th of June 2019, ODC, SK and CCIM conducted a kick-off meeting to discuss to sharpen the strategic plan as well as to synergize the action plan together. After a fruitful decision, the meeting concluded with an action plan as each of the project activities will be co-implemented by the aforementioned partners. ODC, SK and CCIM will share responsibilities contributing to the project based on the organization’s area of expertise.

ODC – online platform, introduce ICT tools and project coordinator

  • Increase, maintain, update, and gather public service information for Access to public service information profile page of ODC website
  • Increase awareness on the use of mobile devices to access public service information particularly on ODC website.
  • Adapt Kobo Toolbox program to employ for easing public service assessment at the community (eg. community scorecards) conducting by partner, STAR Kampuchea

The access to public service information profile page

SK – ISAF implementation in 3 communes in Romeas Haek district, Svay Rieng Province

  •       Continue in improving CAFs’ capacity to undertake Implementation of Social Accountability Framework
  •       Work directly with CAFs and local service providers to implement ISAF (organise interface meetings to discuss issues raised in the commune, public service assessments, local forum, etc)

Community scorecard

CCIM – broadcast radio talk-show and project video documentation

  •       Runs a weekly radio  talk shows (and relay) programm through 12 radio stations and online media
  •        Produce 3 videos of ISAF best practice capturing the engagement and discussion between service providers and citizens in the target areas

CCIM’s radio talk-show

This project is developed from the phase 1 project that has been implemented from July 2017 to June 2018. In phase 1, the project concentrated on improving public services in education, health, and commune administration through effectively applying the Implementation of Social Accountability Framework (ISAF). Social accountability aims to boost cooperation between local authorities, service providers and citizens to help providers to improve their performance. The project aimed to set up new channels of communications between stakeholders by facilitating information flow through local or national forums, radio talk shows, and interface meetings to bring citizens’ and local service providers’ concerns to decision makers.

This project was funded by Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions (SPIDER).