1. FUTURE ROLE OF INGO IN CAMBODIA
Carol Mortensen, Lead Consultant

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE 2014 OXFAM DISCUSSION: FUTURE ROLE OF INGO IN CAMBODIA
Look at the changing political, economic and social landscape in Cambodia and identify next steps for INGO consideration
Identify changes INGO should seek to influence and support
Identify key advocacy issues, policy space available and means, vehicles and strategies to achieve active citizenship

3. WHAT IS ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP?
Active Citizenship is defined as both a right and a responsibility of citizens to participate in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the nation, ensuring that they are well informed and that their voice is reflected in decision making that affect their livelihood and rights

4. KEY FINDINGS OF THE FUTURE ROLE
OF INGO IN CAMBODIA
1. INGOs review their future role and develop an Organizational Development Plan
2. INGOs facilitate an enabling environment with inclusive partnerships that build
bridges between CSO, Government and Development Partners for sustained
collaboration

5. 3. INGOs increase CSOs knowledge, skills and
3. INGOs increase CSOs knowledge, skills and strategies to leverage international networks and apply successful global experiences
4. INGOs improve coordination, communication and cooperation amongst themselves

6. Note:
INGO efforts since 1979 in service delivery are appreciated
Over past 10 years, many INGO have strengthened advocacy and influencing role
Recent changes in Cambodia’s political, economic and social operating environment, mean INGO should review their model to support development

7. Oxfam have documented a “discussion paper” not a blueprint
Every INGO is likely to have a different “vision”
Individuals and agencies were consulted, and findings built on a 2012 “discussion paper” by Marchal, Mary and Ngo, Sothath

8. What were the findings?
Not very different from this identified in 2012
Similar themes but a sharper focus

9. 1. INGOs REVIEW THEIR FUTURE ROLE AND DEVELOP AN ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
For 35 years, INGOs have been “building capacity”
Future service delivery activities should be led by national CSOs with INGOs providing support
Cambodia CSOs must set and lead Cambodia’s development agenda

10. INGO Development Plan approved by HQ: vision, triggers, timeframes, targets and communication, partnerships and change management strategies documented
INGO activities to be “phased over” to CSO, Government, or communities can be tested in a transition phase to determine commitment, capacity and political will
INGOs conduct rigorous reviews of partnerships, organisational impact, partner capacities and skills and review their operating environment

11. 2. FACILITATE AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT WITH INCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIPS THAT BUILDS BRIDGES BETWEEN GOVERNMENT, CSO AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS FOR SUSTAINABLE COLLABORATION
INGOs reassess their approach, decision-making and agenda setting within a changing context
INGOs commit to institutional strengthening and jointly plan with CSOs how this will be achieved

12. With CSO right to deliver services comes responsibilities
INGOs support People’s Organisations without influencing their mandate, as legitimate voice of citizens
Private sector relationships should be strengthened

13. INGOs facilitate CSO engagement with Government, and Development Partners
INGOs nurture citizen and Government champions and change agents - particularly youth and women
INGOs “follow the money”: budget literacy, Social Accountability Framework, work with private sector, Government, Development Partners and CSO

14. 3. INCREASE CSO KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS. AND STRATEGIES TO LEVERAGE
3. INCREASE CSO KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND STRATEGIES TO LEVERAGE INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS AND APPLY SUCCESSFUL GLOBAL EXPERIENCES
INGOs prioritise linking citizens and CSOs to international networks and facilitating CSO to take the lead
INGOs build citizen and CSO social capital through learning forums, national and international study tours

15. INGOs encourage CSO partners to understand and utilise social media effectively
INGOs facilitate information sharing by the Cambodian diaspora to increase understanding about dual political processes, democracy and active citizenship
INGOs model “the middle path” holding all political parties equally to account and encourage a more nuanced political understanding

16. INGO campaigns should have same message as CSO campaigns but do not need to be centrally coordinated

17. 4. IMPROVE INGO COOPERATION, COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION
INGOs support effective co-ordination mechanisms at the country level: formal and informal
INGO senior leadership model positive behaviours and coach staff to increase effective collaboration, communication and coordination

18. INGO commit to coordinate and be coordinated
INGOs work with Development Partners to increase multi-agency program development

19. RECOMMENDATIONS
INGOs should influence a range of issues including: shrinking civil space, corruption, governance, economic issues, CSO institutional development, Government accountability
INGOs have greater access to policy space than CSO, but depends upon issue, INGO and Government Ministry; more likely to influence technical policies than public policies

20. Some respondents recommended Cambodian CSOs lead advocacy in Cambodia
INGOs leverage international media, citizen and policy networks for CSOs and then step back and let CSO take the lead
INGO have a critical role in providing protection and security for national CSO during advocacy campaigns and times of tension

21. RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO THE ROLE AND ACTIVITIES OF INGOs
INGOs jointly fund institutional development of promising CSOs and CSO leaders by specialist agency
INGO staff and partners demonstrate understanding of “power” dimensions
INGO and Development Partners require CSO partners to have GPP accreditation or be registered and working towards accreditation

22. INGOs and CSO jointly identify strategies to support CSO capacity development: mentoring, technical inputs, Board participation
INGO harness social media platforms and utilise global media to influence policy
INGO continue to build bridges for CSO to leverage international platforms
INGO commit to “authentic” formal and informal collaboration, communication and cooperation mechanisms

23. WHERE NEXT?
Oxfam and CCC are jointly hosting this discussion and learning platform
All INGO consider the reflections outlined in the Discussion Paper, define what “success” means to them and commit all staff to uphold the organisational vision and plan

24. Thank you