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Development Cooperation

Canadian International Development Agency's Official Development Assistance

CIDA's mandate is to support sustainable development in developing countries for the purpose of reducing poverty and contributing to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world. To achieve this goal six priorities have been established to guide CIDA's official development assistance (ODA):

• Basic human needs: to support efforts that aim to meet the needs of people living in poverty in primary health care, basic education, family planning, nutrition, water and sanitation, and shelter. Canada will also continue to respond to emergencies with humanitarian assistance. Canada is committed to providing 25 percent of its ODA to basic human needs. Over the next five years, CIDA will strengthen its programming in four areas of social development: health and nutrition, basic education, HIV/AIDS, and child protection.

• Gender Equality: to support the achievement of equality between women and men to ensure sustainable development.

• Infrastructure services: to help developing countries to deliver environmentally sound infrastructure services, with an emphasis on poorer groups and on capacity building.

• Human rights, democracy, good governance: to increase respect for human rights, including children's rights; to promote democracy and responsible government and to strengthen both civil society and the security of the individual.

• Private sector development: to promote sustained and equitable economic growth by supporting private sector development in developing countries and organizations which are working in micro-enterprise and small-business development to promote income generation; and

• Environment: to help developing countries to protect their environment and contribute to addressing global and regional environmental issues.

Canadian Development Cooperation with Cambodia: An Overview

Following an eleven-year suspension of Canada's ODA to Cambodia, Official Development Assistance (ODA) was reinstated in March 1990. The goals of the ODA program at the time were to reduce poverty and increase access to education and health care. Project activities targeted four main areas: humanitarian assistance, building institutional and human capacity, basic human needs, and promoting regional co-operation. Current aid to Cambodia continues in these areas, while projects pertaining to the themes of mine action, HIV/AIDS, human rights, democracy and good governance are also now underway.

Objectives of Current Canadian Assistance to Cambodia

The primary goals of CIDA's development assistance to Cambodia are to reduce poverty and promote human security. These goals are realized through the two priority program themes of Canada's ODA to Cambodia:

1. Basic Human Needs: To reduce poverty and improve living conditions in Cambodia by providing humanitarian support and strengthening institutional and human capacity. This may involve projects focussed on health, specifically HIV/AIDS, basic education, rural development and human security, which involves mine-action, victim assistance and post-conflict support.

2. Governance: To promote: good governance; respect for the rule of law; and human rights. The program will also: support efficient and effective public administration; fortify democratic practices; and encourage an active civil society. Programs in this area may include public sector reform, promotion of the rule of law and human rights, fostering the growth of civil society and democratic development.

CIDA's ODA goals work in conjunction with the Royal Government's Platform 1998-2003, in which the Royal Government of Cambodia proposes to address the development agenda within the context of: safeguarding social stability and security; building human capacity; strengthening infrastructure and creating an environment conducive to investment; protecting the natural environment; enhancing national revenues in the context of a fully accountable and transparent fiscal policy and encouraging the private sector as an engine of growth, investment and employment creation.

Assistance to Date

Since 1990, Canada's ODA expenditures through CIDA's program branches total approximately $40 million dollars, with an additional $45 million imputed by international financial institutions and multilateral organizations. During the 1999-2000 fiscal year, Canada contributed approximately $7.69 million in development assistance to Cambodia. The following presents current and recently completed projects.

Bilateral Programs

Basic Human Needs
Governance

Basic Human Needs

Project: Cambodia Canada Development Program (CCDP) - Phase II
Duration: 1996-2002
CIDA Contribution: $5 million
Canadian Executing Agency: Cambodia Canada Development Program, a consortium of Canadian NGOs
Cambodian Partner: Various local NGOs, Provincial line departments

This project is contributing to the ability of Cambodian organizations and institutions delivering programs in food security, health and human resource development to manage the development of their communities. Although project activities take place mainly in the province of Pursat, the program works at both provincial and national levels. Promoting networking and increasing awareness in Canada of issues facing Cambodia is also an important part of the project. Ensuring gender equity continues to be a significant crosscutting theme. This focus is especially evident in the credit component, where 60 percent of borrowers are women.

The NGO consortium responsible for the administration of the project consists of seventeen full members and four associate members from across Canada. The CCDP consortium mobilizes cash and worth-in-kind contributions as well as working to promote cooperation between Cambodia and Canada.

This project builds on the eight million dollar first phase (CCDP-I), which began in 1991. CCDP-I achievements include the implementation of micro-level activities in agriculture, health, irrigation and community development, which served almost 200,000 villagers in four provinces (mainly the Pursat Province). CCDP-I also supported institutional strengthening and capacity building at the national and provincial levels in agriculture, water resources, and women in development and supported institutions engaged in the training of nearly 3,000 government officials in the fields of economic management, agriculture and health.

Results to date for Phase II include the improved health of the local population through training in health promotion, water use and gardening, an increased knowledge of landmines and improvements in agricultural technologies, food security and seed banks. Some future activities may include extending the primary health care model to other provincial districts and consolidating the integrated food security program in Pursat.

Project: Cambodia Landmine Development Program
Duration: 2000-2003
CIDA Contribution: $4.9 million
Canadian Executing Agency: N/A
Cambodian Partner: Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and the Cambodian Mine Action Authority (CMAA)

The overall goal of this program is to assist Cambodia to promote development, reduce poverty and respond to basic human needs by reducing the humanitarian impact of land mines. The purpose of the project is to repatriate land, reduce the rate of casualties and mitigate the impact on victims. This project works to support the `Ottawa Treaty', signed in 1997 by 150 countries dedicated to putting an end to the suffering and casualties caused by antipersonnel mines.

The Cambodia Landmine Development Program funds five elements as follows:

1. National Survey, Level 1: survey teams will provide a detailed overview of the national mine problem, facilitating the compilation of a national strategy for efficient mine clearance

2. Human Resources Training Project: funding for financial technical assistance and training for Middle and senior Managers. To date more than 20 Managers from CMAC have been trained in management tools and techniques.

3. Victims Assistance - Rehabilitation: to assist landmine survivors in becoming economically self-sufficient and integrated in the life of their community.

Project: Cambodia Strategic AIDS Reduction (STAR) Project
Duration: 2000-2003
CIDA Contribution: $1,850,000
Canadian Executing Agency: World Vision Canada (WVC)
Cambodian Partner: Ministry of Health and National AIDS Council

This project supports community initiatives that work to reduce the transmission of AIDS through community education and increased capacity within the community to diagnose and treat HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the project is to reduce HIV incidence and increase acceptance and care of those infected along National Highway No. 4 and 5 in Kandal and Kompong Speu Provinces and towards the Cambodian-Thai. The project will include an awareness and education campaign, the training of health workers and home care teams as well as workshops that will increase the capacity of project staff. Advocacy for those living with HIV/AIDS, specifically children, will also be an important aspect of the project.

Project: Canada Fund for Local Initiatives
Duration: 2000-2001
CIDA Contribution: $400,000
Canadian Executing Agency: Canadian Embassy, Phnom Penh

The objective of the Fund is to finance small projects that provide technical, economic, educational, cultural or social development assistance to the local population. The Canada Fund considers projects from a variety of areas; however, priority is given to projects that focus on women, the environment and good governance. Community groups (not individuals) which demonstrate a commitment to sustainable development, as well as demonstrating the capacity to manage the project are welcome to apply for support.

During 2000-2001 the Fund supported 22 projects in many diverse areas including: education and training, health and HIV/AIDS, gender equality, child protection, humanitarian assistance, agriculture, human rights and water and sanitation. Some projects the Fund supported include:

• Building Together a Society Free of Violence for Women
  
  Implementing Agency: Women for Prosperity and the Ministry of Women's and Veterans' Affairs (MWVA)
  This NGO seeks to empower women, enable them to economically support their families, to experience safety and security and maintain their values and identity. The Fund contributed to this groups activities for International Women's Day 2001

• Rural Integrated Project
  
  Implementing Agency: Rural Association for the Development of the Economy (RADE)
  This NGO focuses on urban and rural development, which results in poverty alleviation through participation in rural development. The Fund supported the training, agricultural development and water and sanitation activities of RADE in the Kampong Trabek District, Prey Veng.

  Project: Cambodia-Canada Health and Nutrition Initiatives Fund
  Duration: 2000-2003/2005
  CIDA Contribution: $4 million
  Canadian Executing Agency: Canadian Cooperative Office (CCO)

This fund was created in August 2000 with the purpose of improving the health and nutrition status of Cambodians. The Fund has been created to assist the Ministry of Health in addressing key health and nutrition issues by supporting projects designed and implemented by locally based organizations. A Counterpart Fund Committee (CFC) co-chaired by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and CIDA is responsible for the Fund, and reports to the Cambodian and Canadian Governments on the administration of the Fund and the specific projects funded.

The four central objectives of the Fund are to: decrease malnutrition and eliminate micronutrient deficiencies, help control emerging pandemics, improve children's health and strengthen community and family health, namely women's reproductive health. Examples of some projects that may receive priority are maternal and child health programs, immunization, communicable diseases control (TB and HIV/AIDS) and control/prevention of malaria.

Governance

Project: Cambodia-Canada Legislative Support Project
Duration: 2000-2004
CIDA Contribution: $5,000,000
Canadian Executing Agency: Parliamentary Center of Canada
Cambodian Partner: National Assembly Senate

The goal of this project is to further good governance and democratic development in Cambodia. This is to be achieved through strengthening the capacity of the legislative branch of the National Assembly. The project may include but is not limited to: the provision of technical assistance, knowledge and skills training, short-term practical attachments in Canada, study tours inCambodia and Canada and limited equipment for project partners. This focus on human resources development will strengthen the culture and practice and hence the institutionalization of democracy in Cambodia.

Project: Civil Society Governance Initiatives Fund
Duration: 2000-2004
CIDA Contribution: $1,5 million
Canadian Executing Agency: Canadian Cooperative Office (CCO)
Cambodian Partner: Cambodian civil society organizations

The goal of this project is to promote the respect for human rights, democratic development and good governance in Cambodia. This will be achieved through encouraging the participation of civil society organizations in the democratic development of Cambodia, the promotion of human rights and the respect for the rule of law. The Fund will support activities aimed at addressing specific issues related to human rights, democratic development and rule of law. The Fund's activities will be directed at strategic interventions initiated by civil society organizations at both the national and local levels.

Some of the key areas targeted are: strengthening capacities for policy dialogue in the social and political sectors; promoting policy and legislative changes that address human rights, democratic development and rule of law; seminars, workshops and round-tables aimed at improving national dialogue on human rights, democratic development and rule of law; and training and production of resource materials to increase public awareness.

Wherever possible linkages between Canadian and Cambodian civil society organizations and institutions will be encouraged and opportunities to coordinate projects with other donors will be explored.

Project: Cambodia Governance Technical Assistance Project
Duration: 2001-2003
CIDA Contribution: $489,000
Canadian Executing Agency: CIDA Cooperant
Cambodian Partner: Office of the Council of Ministers

This project provides technical assistance and human resource development to the Cambodian Council for Administrative Reform (CAR). The goal of promoting good governance in Cambodia is met by strengthening the capacity of CAR to implement its' program of governance reform. Project activities will focus on three key themes: first, the provision of strategic support to Cambodia's governance and administrative reform efforts; second, professional, technical and skills training through workshops and finally, the coordination of partners for more efficient use of available resources. This project will provide invaluable opportunities to continue to build and strengthen the relationship between Canada and Cambodia as well as highlighting opportunities for further cooperation.

Regional Programs

Southeast Asia Regional Program - Cambodia

The Southeast Asia Regional Program contributes to and/or complements the objectives of CIDA's various country programs in Southeast Asia. The goal of the Regional Program is to promote sustainable development through supporting growth with equity in order to reduce poverty in Southeast Asia. Regional programming provides the opportunity for issues that are best dealt with on a regional scale to be addressed, such as environmental and security issues, to support regional efforts in south-south cooperation and to address major development issues involving three or more countries. The Program supports regional cooperation and integration in Southeast Asia by providing technical assistance, training, networking, technology transfer, sharing of best practices and policy dialogue. The projects are designed to complement country-specific programs while focusing on regional issues and working towards increased levels of regional cooperation.

The Program focuses on three areas that are relevant to the accelerated pace of globalization that is occurring in Southeast Asia today: Environment, Integration into the Global Economy and Governance, Security and the Rule of Law.

• Projects within the Environment theme will include urban environmental management, global environmental concerns (such as bio-diversity and climate change), and enhanced regional cooperation on environmental issues, including transboundary issues.

• Integration in the Global Economy will look at strengthening regional capacity to address issues of economic and corporate governance, enhanced trade facilitation measures and other important aspects of globalization.

• Governance, Security and Rule of Law will focus on an enhanced role for civil society in policy and decision-making, increased accountability and transparency in public and private sector institutions, increased capacity to protect and promote human rights and respect for the rule of law.

Furthermore, the Regional Program will continue to emphasize gender equality by supporting the development of capacity to develop and implement gender responsive policies and programs within the three priority areas as well as supporting the participation of women as equal partners in development.

Despite the recent financial difficulties of the Asian crisis, Southeast Asia continues to experience remarkable social and economic progress. Over the last decade ASEAN has facilitated the integration of additional ASEAN member countries, including Cambodia who became a member in 1999, into an open market based system.

The Southeast Asia Regional Program focuses its portfolio of projects around the three prioritiesmentioned above, which are relevant to Cambodia's current situation, as is demonstrated by Cambodia's active participation in 13 of 25 Regional Projects during 1999/2000. The estimated input value of Regional Programming in Cambodia for 1999/2000 was $690,000 while the estimated input for 2000/2001 is $660,000 (NB: these are rough estimates).

Regional Projects that Benefit Cambodia

Governance, Security and Rule of Law
Gender Equality
Private Sector Development
Environment

Governance, Security And The Rule of Law

Project: Southeast Asia Fund for Institutional and Legal Development (SEAFILD)
Duration: 1996-2002
CIDA Contribution: $7,495,000
Executing Agency: CIDA Cooperant

SEAFILD contributes to increasing the capacity of national and regional institutions to promote human rights, good governance and democratic development in the Southeast Asia region and to support civil society in the area. SEAFILD activities focus on the promotion of the rule of law, legal institutional development, support to national human rights institutions, alternative dispute resolution, human rights training, media training, the advancement of women's and children's rights, as well as regional election monitoring.

SEAFILD's direct involvement in Cambodia began with the initiative on Peaceful Conflict Resolution, which was carried out in partnership with several Cambodian, Canadian and Thai organizations in December 1996. Since then, Cambodia has participated in 21 of 43 SEAFILD activities as well as hosting SEAFILD's Colloquium in November 2000. Many Cambodians have also benefited from Human Rights training both in Cambodia and overseas as a result of SEAFILD funding.

One key SEAFILD activity in Cambodia was its' contribution towards the creation of the Cambodia Centre for Conflict Resolution, thus introducing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to government officials, parliamentarians and civil society representatives.

One further SEAFILD project in which Cambodia is actively involved is a Mekong Delta project against the trafficking of women and children. In 1999, Cambodia was the first of the five countries involved to hold a national-level seminar on this issue. The project began in 1997 and also involves Vietnam, Thailand, Lao PDR and China (Yunan Province).

Gender Equality

Project: Southeast Asia Gender Equity Program (SEAGEP) - Focus on Cambodia
Duration: 1995-2001
CIDA Contribution: $5,000,000
Canadian Executing Agency: CIDA Cooperant

SEAGEP funds regional activities which help to implement the Beijing Platform for Action, act as a regional catalyst for change at the national level, integrate gender perspectives into mainstream policy, strategically advance Southeast Asian women's policy agendas, raise awareness and promote advocacy of gender issues. The CanAsian Businesswomen's Network portion of the project provided opportunities for women to participate on an equitable basis in economic growth in ASEAN countries and Canada and in coping with sustainability issues during the ASEAN crisis.

Cambodian involvement includes holding activities in Cambodia, while participants from Cambodia also attend regional events. SEAGEP Technical Resources Fund also assists Cambodian women to attend high profile events in the region or Canada or to undertake study tours in the region or Canada.

Private Sector Development

Project: Trilateral Cooperation with Singapore - Focus on Cambodia
Duration: 1999-2002
CIDA contribution: $500,000
Canadian Executing Agency: Development Cooperation Section, Canadian High Commission, Singapore

As a result of the General Agreement on Development Cooperation and Trilateral Technical Assistance signed by Canada and Singapore in 1998, provisions have been made for joint initiatives for the benefit of `third' developing countries in Southeast Asia. This partnership is successfully leveraging funds in support of CIDA's development assistance objectives for Southeast Asia. This project aims to increase understanding between Southeast Asia Regional and Canadian institutions and to facilitate long-term cooperation. The purpose of the project is to organize and deliver specialized short-term training, conferences and technical missions in Canada and Southeast Asia. The first year of trilateral cooperation is complete, with eleven participants having received training in four diverse educational areas. Tentative future activities include Financial Training, a Search and Rescue Administrators' Course, WTO Accession and Preserving Cultural Heritage.

Project: Canada-Singapore English Language Training Project for Indochina Phase II -Focus on Cambodia
Duration: 1999-2002
CIDA Contribution: $2 million
Executing Agency: The Regional Language Centre (RELC) working in partnership withCanadian institutions such as St. Mary's University in Halifax and the University of British Columbia

This project provides government officials from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam with English language courses related to the public service environment to enable them to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with their counterparts within ASEAN countries and internationally. A minimum of 240 officials will receive training through 16 three-month English language training sessions in Singapore, which will facilitate Cambodian integration into ASEAN, forge stronger linkages between Canada and Cambodia and increase the sustainability and self-sufficiency of RELC.

To date, Cambodian officials participating in this program have made up approximately 28 percent of officials trained and have expressed high degrees of satisfaction with the training received.

Project: Asian Internship Pilot Phase II - Focus on Cambodia
Duration: 1999-2000
CIDA Contribution: $195,000
Executing Agency: Capilano College

The objective of this project is to encourage and promote human connectivity, skills transfer and private sector interchange between Canada and Asia. Through this program young professionals and university graduates from Southeast Asia gain applied management skills in Canada. To date one Cambodian intern has participated in the program and is now successfully completing a management internship in Cambodia.

Project: Canada-ASEAN Centre (CAC) - Focus on Cambodia
Duration: 1996-2000
CIDA Contribution: $5.9 million
Executing Agency: Coopers & Lybrand Singapore

This project continues to foster long term, mutually beneficial partnerships between Canadian and Southeast Asian scientific organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector, in the areas of Science and Technology, environment and infrastructure. The CAC was established in Singapore in 1989 to foster long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between Canada and the Southeast Asia region. The CAC supports regional cooperation and integration through awareness building, networking, technical assistance and technology transfer. The CAC focuses on five program areas in which Canadian capabilities match Southeast Asian needs. These are: Institutional Capacity Building, Information and Communication Technologies Agricultural Technologies, Environmental Technology and Marine Eco-system Management.

Environment

Project: Urban Environmental Management - Focus on Cambodia
Duration: 1996-2001
CIDA Contribution: $5, 600,000
Executing Agency: Canadian Universities Consortium

This project is involved in establishing effective and sustainable Urban Environment Management (UEM) educational programs and business services at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT); and in providing opportunities for Canadian environmental companies to demonstrate their technologies, services and expertise. Through this program a study on the major environmental impacts of hotel based tourism activity in Siem Reap Cambodia was completed. The results were presented at the Conference on Sustainable Urban Tourism held at AIT in November 2000.

Project: Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA) - Focus on Cambodia
Duration: 1996-2000
CIDA Contribution: $1,800,000
Executing Agency: International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

There are three central themes of this project: enhancing the capacity of Southeast Asian researchers to carry out economic analysis of environmental problems, devising effective economic measures for the reduction or prevention of pollution and resource depletion and bringing the resulting proposals to the attention of policy makers in the region. Several research and training programs as well as an apprenticeship program have been carried out in Cambodia as a result of this program.

Furthermore, a pilot project on fuel-efficient wood stoves led to two full-scale projects concerning non-timber forest products and the value of mangroves, which were highly successful. As a result the Minister of Environment and the Governor of Ratanakiri called for the transfer of responsibility from management of customary forest land to community associations and for a moratorium on logging in those areas.

Project: Tree Link - Focus on Cambodia
Duration: 1998-2003
CIDA Contribution: $3,500,000
Executing Agency: Salasan Associates

This project aims to strengthen the ability of the Asia Pacific Association of Forest Research Institution (APAFRI) member institutions in Southeast Asia to contribute to the renewal of Asian forests through the conservation and domestication of indigenous forest resources. An APAFRI core group has been established in Cambodia, whose members attended the steering committee meeting held in Bangkok in March 1999. 10 students from Vietnam and Cambodia are also benefiting from funds provided by the Graduate Student Research Fund for the purpose of forestry field research.

Project: Asia Pacific Ocean Cooperation Project Phase II (APOC II) - Focus onCambodia
Duration: 1996-2002
CIDA Contribution: $7.15 million
Executing Agency: Agrodev Canada (Canadian Coordinating Agency responsible for the Regional Partnership Organization which consists of the Oceans Institute of Canada, the Vietnam-Canada Ocean and Coastal Cooperation Program, the South East Asia Program for Ocean Law, Policy and Management and the South China Sea Informal Working Group).

The purpose of this project is to support the development of regimes and indigenous institutional structures to promote cooperation on marine related matters in the region, build consensus and regional harmonization of ocean policies and law and strengthen the conflict management capacity of the region, particularly in relation to the South China Sea. The first meeting of the Group of Marine Experts on Environmental Protection was hosted in Cambodia in 1997. The result of this meeting was a proposal for environmental pollution monitoring which was presented for discussion at the Second Technical Working Group on Marine Environmental Protection.

The Royal Government of Cambodia (GOC) continues to be involved in consultations and initiatives to encourage better ocean governance in the Gulf of Thailand and reach consensus on governing mechanisms. For example, the GOC created a National Consultative Group to work with the other three bordering states and with SEAPOL support the consultations culminated in co-management of the Gulf and increased understanding and participation of Cambodia in Gulf of Thailand issues.

Health Programming

Canada-South East Asia Regional HIV/AIDS Program (CSEARHAP)
Duration: 2000- 2005
CIDA Contribution: $6.5 million
Executing Agency: CIDA Cooperant

The goal of CSEARHAP is to reduce the transmission rate of HIV in SE Asia by focussing on highly vulnerable mobile populations such as seasonal migrant workers, transport workers, travelling merchants, sex workers, refugees and the internally displaced and young people/children. Analyses conducted by programs such as UNAIDS and UNDP confirm that population mobility is a major contributing factor to the spread of HIV due to disrupted social norms, increased isolation and lack of economic, social and family support. Migrant workers have now been identified as being at high risk of contracting and transmitting HIV. It is also recognized that borders often have "hot spots" where HIV/AIDS can proliferate as a result of the regular convergence of migrant labourers such as truckers, illegal aliens, job seekers and travellers, etc. with commercial sex workers and the local population. The CIDA program intends to cover the geographic continuum from the point of origin, through en- route "hot spots" on to the point of destination.

CSEARHAP's operational approach is a two step process: a) Step 1: engage a Bangkok-based co-operant to assess opportunities for specific Canadian programming focussed on mobile populations. These program activities will be consistent with the new regional strategy on mobile populations and HIV/AIDS currently being developed by the UN Regional Task Force on Mobile Populations and HIV Vulnerability. The Canadian co-operant represents CIDA on the UN Regional Task Force. Seed-funding for initial activities is also included in this step b) Step 2: CIDA will directly fund fully-integrated project activities based on the UN regional strategy and available Canadian capacity.

Multilateral Programs

Canada's ODA is also channeled through multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth, La Francophonie, the World Bank and international financial institutions, which have been created to deal with issues that span national boundaries. For example, many global problems such as epidemics and natural disasters surpass national borders.

CIDA's Multilateral Branch ensures that Canada maintains a voice in these important international organizations. It is also through these organizations that CIDA's multilateral program works to promote policies and programs that are consistent with Canadian development priorities. These priorities include promoting sustainable development, the reduction of poverty and promotion of prosperity, and respect for human rights and security. The Multilateral Branch is also responsible for ensuring that in emergency situations Canadian humanitarian assistance is delivered in a timely and effective manner.

The Multilateral Branch is organized into these divisions:

• United Nations and Commonwealth Program
  
• International Financial Institutions
  
• International Humanitarian Assistance
  
• The Food Aid Centre
  
• Policy, Planning and Management

CIDA cooperates with numerous multilateral organizations in response to the Royal Government of Cambodia's call for a higher degree of donor coordination and collaboration to achieve greater complementarity overall. In particular, the World Bank group is attempting to forge strategic alliances between and among donors and is actively promoting the Sector Wide Approach (SWAP) in Cambodia. Health and Education are two areas where it is felt that CIDA has greatest SWAP potential. Canada emphasizes its' commitment to these and other such collaborative multilateral initiatives.

Canada's multilateral contributions to Cambodia are channeled through organizations such as the World Food Programme, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.

Partnership Programs

CIDA's Partnership Branch provides financial support to Canadian institutions, associations, and non-governmental organizations, as well as to private-sector companies involved in development. There is room for increased programming in each of these areas in order to strengthen public institutions, civil society and the private sector. Interest on the part of Canadian organizations in working in Cambodia is mounting rapidly.

For more information, visit CIDA's Canadian Partnership Branch page.

Peacebuilding Fund

In 1996 Canada launched the Canadian Peacebuilding Initiative, a joint effort between the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAIT) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Its objectives are to:

• Assist countries in conflict in their efforts towards peace and stability
  
• Promote Canadian peacebuilding capacity and participation in international peacebuilding initiatives

The Canadian Peacebuilding Fund is administered by CIDA and is designed to serve as a catalyst to stimulate initiatives toward peace. It supports activities focussed on conflict prevention, as well as post-conflict resolution and reconstruction. Projects include support for the investigation of human rights violations, public education on conflict resolution techniques, arms collection and voter education.

Peacebuilding Fund Activities in Cambodia

Completed projects include: support for the establishment of a Trust Fund for the Return of Political Exiles, a Parliamentary Evaluation Mission, the distribution of Voters' Registration Kits and election support in the form of training sessions and awareness campaigns carried out by Cambodia umbrella organizations during the 1998 elections. Funding was also provided for Media and Peacebuilding: A Journalists' Training Project, which helped to develop a more independent and accountable media in Cambodia. In 2000, the Peacebuilding Fund contributed $500,000 towards the pilot phase of the Royal Government of Cambodia's military demobilization program.

Canada Fund - Cambodia

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and administered by the Canadian Embassy, finances small, innovative, community-based projects which are sustainable and promote self reliance. The Canada Fund will consider projects from a wide variety of sectors but gives priority to those that focus on women, the environment and good governance. Projects can be funded over one or two years.The Canada Fund does not support research, staff salaries, infrastructure projects and on-going programme costs.

Community groups (not individuals) which demonstrate a commitment to sustainable development and the capacity to manage the project can apply for support. These groups may be officially registered NGOs, associations and foundations or other organizations that meet the criteria.

Projects are pre-screened by the Coordinator to ensure that they meet the guidelines of the Fund. They are then reviewed by a committee at the Embassy and recommended by a CIDA representative in the Development Cooperation Section to the Ambassador who makes the final decision.

Proposal Format

A project proposal should contain the following information:

Title of the Project/Sector/Location

• Provide map if possible
  

Implementing Organization
This section should contain the following information:


• Name of the organization (to which the cheque would be issued)
  
• History and background of the organization (when was it started, who are the members, what are the objectives, what does it do, etc.)
  
• Has the group received funding from the Canada Fund in the past (when, for what, what is the project number)

Contact Person


• Name, title, address, telephone and fax number of the person responsible for the project.

Background


• In one or two pages, describe the project area, the people, the problems and why the project is necessary. How/why did your organization decide to do the project?

Objectives


• Clear, simple, measurable objectives should be outlined. They can be divided into general and specific.

Implementation


• A step-by-step outline of how the project will be carried out, who will do it, how long it will take, etc. Charts, schedules, agendas, etc. should be included (if applicable). The steps in the process should match the objectives.

Target Group/ Expected Outcomes


• Who and how many will benefit from the project, directly and indirectly?
  
• What will be the results of the project? Will the project continue in the future? How?

Impact on Women


• Were women's interests considered when the project was planned? What percentage of women will benefit from the project directly or indirectly?
  
• What is the role of women as participants in the project (planners/designers; managers/administrators; trainers/facilitators)?

Impact on the Environment


• Describe positive and negative effects of the project on: soil erosion; land degradation; deforestation; fuel wood shortages; water management; sanitation; excessive population pressure on the land.

Budget


• An itemized, detailed budget in Riel should be submitted with a proposal.
  
• What will your group/organization contribute to the project (labour cost, administration, cash, etc.)? Will other organizations or the Royal Cambodian Government contribute to the project? How? Other contributions may be listed as 'in kind' or an approximate value.

Application Process

Initial contact should be made with the Canada Fund Coordinator. If the project meets the guidelines, a proposal can be submitted following the format outlined above.