Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Best Practice Awards Program
On August 17th-18th, 2011, the Awards Presentation Ceremony for the six winning commune/ sangkat councils and civil society organizations, in recognition of their best practices, was celebrated simultaneously with the 2nd mandate of the Commune’s Achievements Convention, co-organized by the Ministry of Interior and the National League of Commune/ Sangkatat the Ministry of Interior. It was presided over by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
The ceremony was attended by H.E. SarKheng, Deputy Prime Minister, MOI, H.E. Prom Sokha, Secretary of State, MOI, and H.E. SakSetha, Secretary of State and Director of NCDD Secretariat of MOI as well as provincial councils, provincial board of governors, municipality/district councils, municipality/district board of governors, commune/sangkat councils, director of provincial administration, director of planning and investment department, representatives from ministries/ institutions/ NGOs/CSOs and program management advisors at sub-national level with total participants of 700.
The Best Practice Awards Program for commune/sangkat and civil society organizations was established based on the successful implementation experiences of Decentralization Awards Program 2004-2005, which finished in April 2006when the awards were handed over by H.E. Sak Setha, Ex-General Director of General Department of Local Administration, MOI.
This program was established with the cooperation of General Department of Local Administration of MOI, National League of Commune/Sangkat and Cambodian Civil Society Partnership (formerly known as Commune Council Support Project) by signing the Memorandum of Understanding on June 10th, 2009 after the formal agreement of H.E. Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of MOI with the support funds from EC-UNDP/DDLG.
Winners for the above 3 awards were selected based on important criteria, differing for Commune/Sangkat Councils and Civil Society Organizations. Winning Commune Councilors were selected based on six criteria: (1) Contributing to local development and enhancing people’s living standard, (2) Responding to development priorities, (3) Evidence of good management performance, (4) Proving local people’s involvement and good governance practice, (5) Proven results and (6) Lessons learnt and results can be replicated for future improvement. Civil Society Organization award winners were selected when they could respond to the other six criteria: (1) The project is of benefit to society, economy, politics and culture, (2) Promotes strengthening of local people’s capacity on local governance works, (3) Responds to gender issues, (4) Funds raised from various sources, (5) Sustainability and (6) Lessons learnt and results can be replicated for future improvement.
After the closing remarks, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen honorably presented the awards to the winners, who had been carefully assessed for more than 1 year. Sangkat Prek Leap, Khan Russey Keo, Phnom Penh, won the Best Practice Award, receiving a computer, one battery, one copier, an appreciation certificate and 8 million Riels. Sor Korng Commune, Kang Meas District, Kampong Cham Province, won the Special Award, receiving a computer, one battery, one copier, an appreciation certificate and 4.7 million Riels. Kok Banteay Commune, Rolear Pha’er District, Kampong Cham Province, won the Appreciation Award, receiving a computer, one battery, an appreciation certificate and 4.3 million Riels.
The 3 CSOs, who won the award, were Ponleu Komar Organization based in Pursat Province won the Best Practice Award, Rural Development Organization based in Battambang Province won the Special Award and Action for Development Organization based in Kampong Thom Province won the Appreciation Award, each receiving the same award pack of computer, one battery, appreciation certificate and money of 1 million Riels.