Page 7 - Sustainability and entrepreneurship for CSO's and CSO networks Cambodia 1 November 2018

In market terms, we speak of an homogeneous oligopoly: a few international suppliers against many local fund seekers, where the supplier set the conditions while trying to expand their marketshare through competition5. Given the competition, accumulation and concentration of global CSO budgets, this situation is likely to continue and will affect the diversity and existence of small local CSOs, that depend on international aid.
The local Cambodian CSO sector - in its role to deliver services and to protect and expand civic space - is losing influence to the emerging private sector, foreign investors, the government and to laws that regulate the CSO sector. The CSO loss of power and its reputation as a relevant, required and respected sector will affect their presence and influence in Cambodia for the years to come. This may result in a loss of invested capital in institutions, loss of social capital, infrastructure, knowledge and networks that supported many Cambodians and ensured a better life to them.
5 https://www.oecd.org/daf/competition/1920526.pdf
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