Decentralized local institutions and livelihood development of riverine communities in the Lower Mekong Basin, Cambodia

The decentralization reforms in the 1990s have transferred accountability/responsibilities for community development to the elected local governments in Cambodia. This paper examines the roles and contributions of local institutions to livelihood development under decentralization and deconcentration (D&D) programme of three riverine communities in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB), Cambodia. In this study, we take a close look at public and social services; funding gaps of Commune Councils (CoCs); types of available support; and problems faced by the CoCs. The findings of the study reveal that CoCs are weakly established and become less accountable to local needs. D&D was aid mobilization from external institutions; and the decentralized CoCs could not improve the livelihoods of the communities significantly. The findings suggest that decentralized local institutions call for increased human and financial resources, improved decision-making, and integrative participation of the private sector.