Capacity building assessment in decentralized planning in Cambodia : a case study in Battambang Province | |
| Author | Siv Seneh |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.RD-02-06 |
| Subject(s) | Buildings Evaluation Cambodia Battambang Decentralization in government Planning Cambodia Battambang |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The research deals with the capacity building assessment in decentralized planning in Cambodia. The main objectives of this research are to examine capacity building program at local level; to assess the capacity level of commune development committees (CDCs) in performing decentralized planning; to analyze factors affecting the capacity level of the CDCs; to obtain the feedback of the CDCs on their performance, the perception on the capacity building program (CBP) and fmther capacity area needed for local government; and to make recommendations to strengthen the current capacity building program and to provide planning implications for the implementation of local government in future. The policy experiment on decentralized planning and financing has been in a focus of the Royal Government of Cambodia implemented by the Seila Program during 1996-2002. The research was conducted within two communes namely Prek Norin and Chrey in Battambang province using a standardized questionnaire for the CDCs, and focus group discussion with other stakeholders including PRDC staff, VDCs, villagers, the newly elected Commune Councilors (CCs) and other officers involved. In addition to primary data, related documents, rep01ts, manuals, guidelines and the Commune Laws, Prakas and Sub-decrees were collected from the Ministries involved i.e. MOI, MOP, MOEF as well as PLG, NGOs and others. The research was focused on both quantitative and qualitative techniques and analysis. Key findings of this research showed the high level of accessibility and attendances of CDCs to the vaiious types of CBP and very useful topics provided by the Seila. The similar level of good performance of CDCs in decentralized planning, development aspects and their roles and responsibilities was also found out. The determinants of capacity level of CDCs included incentives, degree of influence of types of CBP provided, level of education, position in the CDC and household income. CDCs perceived the high level of usefulness, benefits gained and the high degree of utilization of knowledge learnt from all types of CBP provided. The capacity areas on commune administration, commune planning and commune financing were extremely needed to be trained for the newly elected CCs and the partial aspects on commune planning were also needed to be trained for those who used to be the previous CDCs but serving as the CCs at present. The research concluded that the CBP for decentralized planning implemented by the Seila Program was very effective and successful. The CDCs had a high level of understanding and performance in decentralized planning, various development aspects as well as on their roles and responsibilities. Ce1tain predominant factors influencing on capacity level of CDCs were basically related to institutional aspects although a few of socio-economic aspects had influenced to some extent. Certain recommendations were given in this research to strengthen the current capacity building program and to provide planning implications for the implementation of future local government. These were focused on the design of capacity building package and capacity area needed for enhancing capacity level of CCs in the specific areas, institutional building arrangements and responsibilities, provision of appropriate incentive scheme and administration cost for the commune and the formulation of human resource development plan of the government in a long term. |
| Year | 2002 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Soparth Pongquan; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Wickramanayake, B.W.E.;Kusakabe, Kyoko ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD); |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2002 |