Battambang Network to Support Decentralization and Deconcentration

BNSD Photos of Activities

bnsd — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 08:33:40 +0000

This is a temporary logo of BNSD.

These are photos in BNSD follow-up meeting on 5 March 2008.

First Meeting to Form the Network

bnsd — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 08:15:59 +0000

A two day workshop had been conducted on 28-29 June 2007 by CCSP in collaboration with ILDO, a NGO partner, in Battambang to reach to consensus among NGOs in forming up a network which will work in support of D&D in Battambang. The meeting had 13 participants from NGOs, which most of them is working with and in support of commune councils and decentralization. These NGOs were Islamic Local Development Organization (ILDO), Christian Development of Kampuchea (CDK), Khmer National Community Economic Development (KNCED), Operation Enfants du Cambodge (OEC), AMARA, Khmer Rural Development Association (KRDA), Krom Aphiwat Phum (KAWP), Buddhism and Democracy Organization (B&D), Buddhism for Development (BFD), SABORAS, Meatophum Kumar (MPK), HelpAge International (HAI), Village Support Group (VSG), Khmer Welfare Family Rural Association (KWRA).

OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of the meeting is to encourage and support local NGOs so that they can form NGO network on D&D and build required capacity to engage with the subnational governments on D&D issues.

OUTPUT OF THE MEETING

The primary output of the meeting was a broader consensus and solidarity built among Battambang based provincial NGOs interested to work on D&D issues and willing and committment to form and activate NGO network on D&D in Battambang to engage with the subnational governments on D&D issues with collective strength and strengthened capacity.

Specifically, the meeting produced following outputs:

1. Awareness Raising to NGOs

The awareness of NGOs in Battambang was heightened as they had gotten to know more about the current status of D&D, the progress of developing organic law for D&D reform implementation, the NGOs roles in D&D, and the experiences of networking formation. The meeting had also brought them to know some specific areas/opportunities which the NGOs may work through directly or indirectly in supporting D&D through the NGO network once it is established. Those areas/opportunities had been shown by the facilitator consultant presentation on Commune Investment Program (CIP), District Initiative Project (DIP), the management structure of National Committee to Support Decentralization and Deconcentration Reform Program (NCDD) both at national and subnational levels, Inter-commune Cooperation (ICC), and Accountability Working Group of Commune Fund. Adding to this, the participants had learnt about the experiences of Working Group for Partnership in Decentralization (WGPD).

2. Memorandum of Understanding

NGOs had agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] on the formation of NGO network on D&D. The MOU has included network goal, objective, topical areas for network activities, structure, organization, selection process of network coordinator, role and responsibility of coordinating organization and member organizations, communication links with national level actor. Noteworthy is that there were two interesting things in the MoU: (1) the meeting had decided to have a Network Committee of three NGO members, rather than a Network Coordinator and (2) named their network Battambang Network to Support Decentralization and Deconcentration (BNSD). (See MOU of Battambang NGOs as attached.)

Network Profile

bnsd — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 01:55:03 +0000

BNSD is a network organization that works focus on Decentralization and Deconcentration(D&D) who has member NGOs for 18 NGOs in Battambang Province. BNSD has executive committee for 3 persons that come from: Islam Development (ILDO), Christ For Development Kampuchea (CDK), and Khmer Nation Community Economic for Development (KNCED).After its creation in June 2007, the BNSD had conducted its fourth meeting in Battambang to follow up its activities and discuss on important advocacy agenda for the network in 2008 under facilitation by CCSP.

Currently, there are 16 NGOs as members of the network, which has been created in 2007. Three more NGOs joint the networks.

The network had developed strategic plan, bylaws and regulations.

Make close cooperation and get recognition from the PLAU Battambang. In addition, the network had suggested the PLAU to be network’s Board.

Had developed and submitted its proposal to CCSP and now is waiting to get reply from CCSP.

The network’s temporary office had been moved from ILDO office to KNCED office, because ILDO office is far from provincial town and it takes time for network members to go to ILDO office. KNCED office is reported nearer.

The network faces difficulties in administration support as of today there is no financial support for the administration such as copying documents, telephone, snack for meetings, and others.

Some network NGO members are busy with their main organization works. Any meeting of the network may not have full participation.

The network suggested having its own website to disseminate information about the network and member NGOs. The Independent Consultant promised to help create and train network to maintain the website without fees.

Joint with CCSP and PLAU to conduct Decentralization Lecture Series on “Participation in Local Governance Process” in Battambang recently last week.

BNSD Plan in 2008

bnsd — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:07:46 +0000

BNSD will organize its strategic plan for 2008-2010 to implement activities in capacity building and advocacy in relations to decentralization and deconcentration.

Network Had Its Fourth Meeting on 10 March 2008

bnsd — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:59:20 +0000

After its creation in June 2007, the BNSD had conducted its fourth meeting in Battambang to follow up its activities and discuss on important advocacy agenda for the network in 2008 under facilitation by CCSP.

Currently, there are 16 NGOs as members of the network, which has been created in 2007. Three more NGOs joint the networks.

The network had developed strategic plan, bylaws and regulations.

Make close cooperation and get recognition from the PLAU Battambang. In addition, the network had suggested the PLAU to be network’s Board.

Had developed and submitted its proposal to CCSP and now is waiting to get reply from CCSP.

The network faces difficulties in administration support as of today there is no financial support for the administration such as copying documents, telephone, snack for meetings, and others.

Some network NGO members are busy with their main organization works. Any meeting of the network may not have full participation.

Joint with CCSP and PLAU to conduct Decentralization Lecture Series on “Participation in Local Governance Process” in Battambang recently last week.

Battambang Network to Support Decentralization and Deconcentration

bnsd — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:48:39 +0000

Royal Government of Cambodia [RGC] is currently in the drafting process of the organic laws that will frame legal and institutional basis for the management and administration of provinces and districts under Decentralization and De-concentration [D&D] Strategy adopted by the Government in 2005. Although the pace towards this end is gradual but eventually provincial and district level governments will be strengthened as more authority and resources are likely to be de-concentrated at those levels. Considering this outcome, there is a need to mobilize and strengthen NGOs at those levels as well.

Considering this, NGOs in Battambang around 16 met in June 2007 under initiative and support from Commune Council Support Project (CCSP) formed a network named Battambang Network to Support Decentralization and Deconcentration (BNSD).