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Phnom Penh, August 13, 2025_The European Union and a consortium led by Oxfam, together with Advocacy and Policy Institute, NGO Forum and SILAKA, officially launched the Strengthening Civic Engagement and Oversight in Public Financial Management (SCOPE-PFM) initiative. Running from June 2025 to May 2028 with a total EU-funded budget of EUR 3.5 million, the project aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in Cambodia’s public financial management (PFM).

H.E. Soksensan Meas, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economic and Finance, and the Deputy Secretary-General of the General Secretariat of the Steering Committee of the Public Financial Management Reform said, “Promoting transparency and accountability in budget management has been the focus of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, including participating in the Open Budget Survey (OBS), which has been conducted every two years since 2008. I would also like to express my gratitude to the European Union (EU Delegation) and the NGO Forum on Cambodia for their good support and collaboration with the Royal Government, resulting in a significant increase in Cambodia's OBS score in 2023, from 33 points in 2021 to 43 points.”

Speaking at the event, Mr. Bryan FORNARI, Head of Cooperation at the European Union, highlighted that the EU-funded SCOPE-PFM project reinforces the shared commitment between the EU and the Royal Government of Cambodia to strengthen fiscal transparency, accountability, along with citizen participation. He noted that by enhancing oversight mechanisms and creating more space for public engagement, the initiative contributes to more inclusive and responsive 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 emphasized.

Ms. Sophoan Phean, National Director of Oxfam, said, “Democratic governance begins with the power of informed and engaged citizens. Through the SCOPE-PFM, we are proud to join hands with our consortium partners to strengthen civic oversight and make public financial systems more transparent and accountable through the dialogues among relevant stakeholders. This project is not just about reforming processes, it’s about amplifying the voices of Cambodians and ensuring that public resources truly serve the public good.”

The initiative builds on the foundation of the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Public Financial Management Reform Program (PFMRP), which began in 2004 and has significantly improved budget systems, particularly at the central level. Notably, the PFM reform has strengthened revenue collection through the modernization and digitalization of tax and customs systems, improved taxpayer services, expanded the tax base, and enhanced compliance. The implementation of the Financial Management Information System (FMIS) has further improved transparency, accountability, and efficiency by automating key processes such as treasury operations, financial reporting, public procurement and overall business process streamlining.

However, Cambodia still faces persistent challenges in budget transparency and public scrutiny. The launch of SCOPE-PFM responds to these gaps with a strategic approach, including enhancing civic participation, reinforcing budgetary oversight, engaging government agencies, civil society, development partners, and the public to promote a shared vision of collaborative governance and stronger financial stewardship.

This event serves as a platform to foster stakeholder coordination, define roles, and identify opportunities for meaningful engagement. It also invites feedback that will inform the project’s implementation and ensure its responsiveness to local contexts and community priorities.

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