Cambodia Investment Review
The European Union, in partnership with Oxfam and local NGOs, has launched a three-year, €3.5 million project to strengthen civic participation and public oversight in Cambodia’s financial management systems. Running from June 2025 to May 2028, the Strengthening Civic Engagement and Oversight in Public Financial Management (SCOPE-PFM) initiative aims to increase transparency, accountability, and citizen involvement in how public funds are managed.
Strengthening Public Financial Oversight
The launch event brought together government officials, development partners, and civil society leaders. H.E. Soksensan Meas, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, noted that enhancing budget transparency has been a government priority, referencing Cambodia’s improved Open Budget Survey (OBS) score, which rose from 33 points in 2021 to 43 in 2023. He credited collaboration with the EU and the NGO Forum on Cambodia for contributing to this progress.
Bryan Fornari, Head of Cooperation at the EU, said the project reinforces the partnership between the EU and the Cambodian government in building inclusive governance. “Empowering citizens to take part in the management of public resources is essential to building public trust and improving the quality of public services,” he said.
Building on Past Reforms
The initiative aligns with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Public Financial Management Reform Program (PFMRP), launched in 2004, which modernized tax and customs systems, expanded the tax base, and improved compliance through digital platforms like the Financial Management Information System (FMIS). These reforms have strengthened revenue collection and streamlined public procurement and treasury operations.
Despite these advances, gaps remain in budget transparency and public scrutiny. SCOPE-PFM seeks to address them through greater civic participation, improved oversight mechanisms, and increased dialogue between government, civil society, and the public.
A Collaborative Approach to Governance
Oxfam’s National Director, Sophoan Phean, emphasized that the project is about more than procedural reforms—it’s about amplifying citizens’ voices to ensure public resources are used effectively. “Democratic governance begins with the power of informed and engaged citizens,” she said.
The launch event also served as a platform to define stakeholder roles, identify opportunities for collaboration, and collect feedback to tailor the project’s implementation to local contexts.
