ABSTRACT
Cambodia has been pursuing decentralization reforms as part of rebuilding the state after 1993. Landmark legislation in 2001 and 2008 established the legal framework for subnational authorities at the commune/sangkat, district/municipality, and provincial levels. Cambodia has applied all three modalities of decentralization, often in parallel. Using a time-bound, long-term implementation plan and a firm institutional coordination architecture distinguishes Cambodia’s decentralization reforms from those of other countries. Whether these reforms increase local space for political and fiscal autonomy and contribute to better service delivery remains to be seen.
