SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN ACTION: IMPROVING PUBLIC SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN CAMBODIA

World Vision International in Cambodia’s social accountability programme is a nationwide initiative designed to strengthen public service delivery for children through transparency, citizen participation, and responsive governance. In partnership with the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development (NCDD), the programme addresses persistent inequalities in access to education, healthcare, and other essential services by empowering communities—particularly vulnerable groups—to engage directly with local authorities and service providers. By integrating social accountability across sectors, it ensures that development investments translate into equitable, high-quality services that respond to community needs.

Through a structured and inclusive approach, the programme facilitates community monitoring, dialogue, and joint action planning between citizens and local authorities. By 2025, it was implemented across 21 provinces and the capital, covering 128 districts/municipalities/khans and 1,071 communes/sangkats, including 839 health centres and 4,664 primary schools. A total of 4,735 Community Accountability Facilitators were recruited, trained, and mentored to support local participation, while 76,537 children and youth and 66,919 marginalised people engaged directly in accountability processes to ensure their voices informed service delivery. These combined efforts have contributed to improved systems and services, benefiting an estimated 3.1 million children nationwide.