Objective 1 contributes to the following focus areas of Australia's International Development Policy:

• build effective, accountable states that drive their own development (primary)
• generate collective action on global challenges that impact us and our region (secondary)
• enhance state and community resilience to external pressures and shocks (secondary).

Strong national and subnational institutions, supported by good governance, will be critical to address Cambodia's key human development challenges and deliver long-term, resilient and sustainable growth. The Cambodian Government is committed to achieving this vision by strengthening the systems, policies, governance and capabilities that underpin public institutions and increase the overall capacity of the public service.

Australia will continue partnering with Cambodia to enhance public policy processes through locally produced evidence. We will support Cambodian research institutes and think tanks to produce high-quality, relevant research developed through inclusive dialogue. Australia will complement these efforts by increasing our support for CSOs and thereby enhancing their capacity to advocate for policy change and contribute to an active civic space. Australia will work with the Cambodian Government and with multilateral and civil society stakeholders to help Cambodia meet its international human rights obligations – including recommendations agreed through the Universal Periodic Review process – and the ambitions outlined in its constitution.

Australia will continue partnering with Cambodia to increase its resilience to global challenges that affect both nations and our shared region, including climate change. We will work with Cambodia to support the introduction of policies and systems that respond to the impacts of climate change and prepare the country for unforeseen shocks. Our new flagship climate investment aims to support Cambodia's efforts to enhance policies and governance in water resources management. We will seek opportunities to strengthen our government-to-government partnerships so they can support stronger institutional capacity and evidence-based policy development. Australia will also support preparation and mitigation efforts by improving the responsiveness of Cambodia's social protection system, increasing the resilience of populations most vulnerable to shocks, hazards and climate change impacts by ensuring they have access to the right services and financial protection. Further, we will continue our partnership with Australian and local non-government organisations (NGOs) to enhance community preparedness and adaptation at the local level. Collectively, these initiatives will support Cambodia to own and implement policies and systems that will increase its resilience to unforeseen crises.

Increasing leadership capacity and supporting the pipeline of emerging leaders will enable Cambodia to improve the quality of governance and public policy processes now and into the future. Australia will build on our longstanding education partnership by continuing our Australia Awards Scholarship program and alumni engagement, both of which aim to increase the number of alumni participating in collaborations between Cambodia and Australia. This will help Cambodians develop the skills they need to attain the jobs they want, as well as expand their networks to strengthen their career development journeys.

Australian higher education is highly regarded in Cambodia, and Australia remains a destination of choice for many Cambodian students. We will enhance links between Australian and Cambodian educational institutions and support current and future leaders by facilitating technical exchanges, ongoing capacity building and evidence-based, inclusive policy dialogues.

Cambodia remains committed to responding to transnational threats and illicit activities. Strengthening the resilience of institutions will reduce Cambodia's overall vulnerability to threats and improve the conditions for stability. Australia will continue our cooperation with Cambodia to prevent transnational crime, including human trafficking, money laundering and people smuggling. We will work closely with Cambodian authorities and regional partners to enhance legal frameworks, build law enforcement capacity and ensure justice for victims.

Longstanding partnerships and activities involving the AFP, Home Affairs and Defence will remain a key part of our cooperation.

Supporting key investments

• Data and Dialogue for Development in Cambodia Phase 2 (Ponlok Chomnes 2)
• Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAP-RED)
• Public Financial Management (PFM) Cambodia
• Australia-World Bank Partnership for Promoting Inclusion, Sustainability and Equality in Cambodia (PROMISE) including Implementation of the Social Accountability Framework Phase II (ISAF II)
• Australia Awards Cambodia
• Improving Social Protection and Health in Cambodia Phase II (ISPH II)
• Australian Volunteers Program
• Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)

Data and Dialogue for Development in Cambodia Phase 2 (Ponlok Chomnes 2)

$9 million, 2023-27

Ponlok Chomnes 2 aims to advance the integration of evidence-informed decision-making and inclusive dialogue into public policy processes. This initiative builds on the learnings from Ponlok Chomnes Phase 1 (2019-23), which focused on developing the capacities of Cambodian institutions in conducting quality research to inform policy analysis and discussion. The second phase will focus on the practical application of these approaches, striving to establish evidence-informed decision-making as routine practice in the governance of Cambodia.

This will be realised through a set of mutually reinforcing activities conducted under four program objectives:

• Select policy research draws on diverse and inclusive evidence sources
• Select policy research findings are effectively communicated to diverse audiences
• Inclusive and collaborative policy dialogue processes trialled with diverse policy actors
• Women (and other excluded groups) substantively engage in select policy research and dialogue processes.

Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAP-RED)

$87 million, 2022 – 27

The Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED) is helping Cambodia to achieve resilient, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development.

CAPRED is working with both private sector and government institutions in three 'domains' in pursuit of these objectives: agricultural transformation; trade, investment and enterprise development; and infrastructure services.

CAPRED's objectives are:

1. By 2031, targeted RGC agencies develop and implement policies that contribute to more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive growth in CAPRED domains.
2.  By 2031, targeted private sector stakeholders undertake more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive trade and investment initiatives in CAPRED domains.

Gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI), climate resilience and policy support are key cross-cutting themes. This approach ensures that the program contributes to long-term sustainable economic development, directly addressing the core barriers to Cambodia's economic prosperity.

Related links

Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development

Public Financial Management (PFM) Cambodia

$2.95 million, 2018-25

The PFM program promotes effective governance and diminishes opportunities for corruption in Cambodia. The program is administered by the World Bank Cambodia and used to finance public financial management reform activities including (a) providing rapid technical support, (b) strengthening budgeting, planning, and expenditure management, (c) implementing performance systems for enhanced service delivery, and (d) supporting innovation, monitoring, coordination, communication, and capacity building.

Australia-World Bank Partnership for Promoting Inclusion, Sustainability and Equality in Cambodia (PROMISE) including Implementation of the Social Accountability Framework Phase II (ISAF II)

$50 million, 2021-25

The Australia-World Bank Partnership for Promoting Inclusion, Sustainability and Equality in Cambodia (PROMISE) provides a platform for collaboration to strengthen the sustainability and inclusiveness of public services, economic opportunities and COVID-19 recovery in Cambodia.

PROMISE is comprised of two multi-donor projects (H-EQIP 2 and ISAF II) as well as a research and analytics component directly implemented by the World Bank to support equitable development (such as gender equality, social protection, and inclusive economic development). As part of the research and analytics component, $5 million is earmarked towards a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Programmatic Advisory Services Analytics (PASA) fund which provides flexible resources to respond to emerging priorities related to gender and social equality and to address lessons learned from previous World Bank partnerships in Cambodia and the region. The GESI PASA will provide a platform to ensure investment operations are better informed by research, analysis and advice, including contributions that aim to improve gender equality and social inclusion.

Australia Awards Cambodia

Australia supports Cambodia's education sector through our long-running Australia Awards Scholarships program. Since 1994 over 1,000 Cambodians have been supported to study in Australia through Australia Awards Scholarships.

We target our education support primarily through scholarships, as this is where we can make a significant difference to Cambodia's human resources development and complement the large number of donors supporting basic education. Our scholarships fill a development gap – Australia Awardees must demonstrate they will make a contribution to Cambodia's development and they generally study disciplines such as agriculture and health which are less likely to be studied by privately-funded students.

Australian alumni are also brand ambassadors. A study for the Australia Awards Scholarships program in Cambodia found that Australia is seen as a safe, supportive and high-quality place to study. Ninety four per cent of alumni who participated in the survey had a positive impression of Australia, and over 99 per cent would recommend Australia as a place to study.

The Australian Alumni Association of Cambodia is a supportive partner of the Australia Awards Scholarships, and has a large and growing membership.

Related documents*

Related links

• Australia Awards
• Australia Awards Cambodia
• Australian Embassy in Cambodia – Study in Australia
• Australian Alumni Association of Cambodia

Australian Volunteers Program in Cambodia

Australian volunteers play a vital role in the fight against poverty and contribute to the Government's public diplomacy objectives. Volunteering overseas is one way that Australians can make a positive contribution to poverty reduction, sustainable development and cross-cultural understanding.

Australian volunteers are placed with host organisations, including non-government and civil society organisations, educational institutions and government departments. Australian volunteers are from a wide range of professions, with diverse skill sets and experiences. Volunteer assignments range from three to 24 months.

Related documents*

Related links

• DFAT Australian Volunteers Program
• Australian Volunteers Program

Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)

The ANCP is a unique Australian development program. It is a partnership between the Australian Government and highly effective Australian Non-Government Organisations (NGOs). For over 45 years, this partnership has supported the most disadvantaged in communities around the world.

The ANCP is the Australian Government's longest running and largest NGO program. Each year, the ANCP supports over 59 Australian NGOs and over 2,000 local partners to deliver around 400 projects in around 50 countries.

Related links

Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)