@article{1bb7b58c3d0e4041a1b7fba2b3200686,
title = "Decentralized local institutions and livelihood development of riverine communities in the Lower Mekong Basin, Cambodia",
abstract = "The decentralization reforms in the 1990s have transferred accountability/responsibilities for community development to the elected local governments in Cambodia. This paper examines the roles and contributions of local institutions to livelihood development under decentralization and deconcentration (D&D) programme of three riverine communities in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB), Cambodia. In this study, we take a close look at public and social services; funding gaps of Commune Councils (CoCs); types of available support; and problems faced by the CoCs. The findings of the study reveal that CoCs are weakly established and become less accountable to local needs. D&D was aid mobilization from external institutions; and the decentralized CoCs could not improve the livelihoods of the communities significantly. The findings suggest that decentralized local institutions call for increased human and financial resources, improved decision-making, and integrative participation of the private sector.",
keywords = "Cambodia, commune councils, decentralization, deconcentration, local institution, Lower Mekong Basin",
author = "Serey Sok and Xiaojiang YU and Othniel Yila",
note = "Funding Information: To align with a global trend of pluralist democracy, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) launched the Seila Programme of Cambodia Reintegration and Rehabilitation (CARERE II) project in 1996 with funds from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (Andersen 2004). Considering that the centralized system greatly reduced people's participation and ownership, the RGC saw the need for a change in approach (Rusten et al. 2004). This decentralization and deconcentration (D&D) programme is an aid mobilization and coordination mechanism led by the Ministry of the Interior (MoI) to enhance local development, and governance (Landell-Mills and Rudengren 2006). In 2001, the pilot scheme covered 20 communes in five provinces, which was later extended to 220 communes in seven provinces. As a positive evaluation, the second phase 2001–2005 continued with support from bilateral support and UN agencies. The RGC passed the legislation in 2001 to form elected local governments in all 1621 communes in 24 provinces throughout Cambodia (Try 2004). Funding Information: We greatly appreciate the valuable comments and suggestions offered from the PAPP editorial board, the anonymous referees and Mr. Ronald Jones of The Learning Institute, Phnom Penh. Also, we gratefully acknowledge Sela Samath, Mouy Oum, Ratha Phol, Kearn Kim, and Sokly Eam for assisting in the field work and data collection. This research has benefitted from funding from the Hong Kong Baptist University PhD Studentship; Hong Kong Energy Studies Centre and Professor Larry Chow; and a Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Hong Kong Dissertation Scholarship 2010–2011.",
year = "2014",
month = sep,
day = "2",
doi = "10.1080/17516234.2014.922144",
language = "English",
volume = "7",
pages = "275--290",
journal = "Journal of Asian Public Policy",
issn = "1751-6234",
publisher = "Routledge",
number = "3",
}