Cambodia : Cambodia: Supporting Implementation of Cambodia Digital Government Programs at Subnational Administrations

Project Name

Cambodia: Supporting Implementation of Cambodia Digital Government Programs at Subnational Administrations

Project Number

58042-001

Country / Economy

• Cambodia

Project Status

Proposed

Project Type / Modality of Assistance

• Technical Assistance

Source of Funding / Amount

TA: Cambodia: Supporting Implementation of Cambodia Digital Government Policy 2022-2035

Source	Amount
Technical Assistance Special Fund	US$ 300,000.00

Operational Priorities

• OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
• OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity

Sector / Subsector

• Information and communication technology / ICT industries and ICT-enabled services - ICT infrastructure - ICT strategy and policy, and capacity development

• Public sector management / Decentralization

Gender

Some gender elements

Description

The technical assistance (TA) will provide technical advisory services to the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) in implementing the Cambodia Digital Government Policy 20222035 focusing on improving delivery of public services through digitalization at sub-national administrations (SNAs). The proposed TA has been requested by the government through the Ministry of Interior (MOI), which coordinates the implementation of decentralization and de-concentration reforms, to empower the SNAs for improved public services delivery at local levels.

The TA will contribute to achieving two of the seven operational priorities (OPs) of ADB's Strategy 2030, namely (i) accelerating progress in gender equality (OP2); and (ii) the strengthening governance and institutional capacity (OP6) by enhancing digital government programs.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The RGC has clearly outlined its ambition to take public administration and service delivery closer to the citizens and is currently implementing a comprehensive decentralization and de-concentration reform program through implementation of its National Program for Sub-National Democratic Development, Phase 2 2021-2030 (NP-2). A key objective of the NP-2 is to support SNAs, particularly at the district, municipality, and Khan administration tiers, in improving service delivery and ensuring its responsiveness for citizens and businesses. The NP-2 along with the Government Pentagonal Strategy 20232028 highlight the importance of the e-Government agenda and improved digitalization in ensuring that SNAs are able to meet their mandates on service delivery through enhanced ICT enabled public service delivery.

E-Government is a key priority for the RGC with significant efforts invested over the past two decades including the roll-out of key strategic instruments to drive e- Government adoption across government to automate key government functions. One key example is the establishment of the One Window Service Delivery Units and Centers as one-stop-shops' across the country to deliver key public services to businesses and citizens at the SNA levels. The presence of such service delivery centers in many provinces and districts is an integral to moving key services closer to the people, ensuring improved accessibility and is a pivotal initiative to revolutionize citizen services and further digital transformation. To further build on this progress, ADB had supported a pilot project to develop selected online services as part of One Window Services under the previous ADB TA on Supporting Digital Cambodia for Inclusive Development Project.

The RGC has a plan to expand the One Window Services across the country but has difficulties due to lack of capacity and resources particularly at SNA levels.

Strengthening the e-Government environment at SNA levels requires a focused approach that involves (i) digitalization of government administrative functions and public service delivery at SNAs, (ii) capacity building for workforce for use of ICT systems, and (iii) creating a robust ICT infrastructure to support e-Government initiatives and operations.

To address these issues, the TA will provide technical support for implementing the e- Government agenda focusing on interventions needed to accelerate the digitalization of key functions and services at the SNAs.

The TA is in line with the Cambodia Digital Government Policy 2022-2035 which sets out government priorities including the establishment and improvement of digital connectivity infrastructure, the organization of digital government; the digital transformation of the government and public services; the development of digital human capital; and the promotion of digital start-ups. It is also aligned with the country partnership strategy for Cambodia, 20242028 for ADB's operations in Cambodia which aims to support development of digital government for better service delivery.

Digital government can also be a powerful tool to address climate change related issues. Specifically, the TA team will explore supporting the government in developing digital social protection as part of One Window Service to ensure shock responsive and resilient systems including addressing the challenges arising from the increased frequency in climate change and disaster arising from natural hazards as well as designing the content of related capacity development on adaptive social protection.

Impact

The TA will align with the overall goals of the Cambodia Digital Government Policy 20222035, emphasizing the digitalization of public service delivery to enhance citizens' livelihoods.

Outcome

Public service delivery and the government's capacity for digital government at subnational administrations are enhanced.

Outputs

Scaling-up Key Digital Government Services at SNAs Supported

Institutional Capacity for Digital Government Programs Strengthened

Geographical Location

Nation-wide

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

Involuntary Resettlement

Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

During Project Implementation

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services

- Digital government expert (specialized in one stop service based on government-to-government integration)

(international firm)

- Full stack software developer and project coordinator (individual international and national)

Procurement

- Cloud platform service or IT equipment

Contact

Responsible ADB Officer

Ouch, Chamroen

Responsible ADB Department

Sectors Group

Responsible ADB Division

Public Sector Management and Governance Sector Office (SG-PSMG)

Executing Agencies

Ministry of Interior

Timetable

Concept Clearance

02 Sep 2024

Fact Finding

16 Sep 2024 to 20 Sep 2024

MRM

-

Approval

-

Last Review Mission

-

Last PDS Update

03 Sep 2024

Funding