Application is Now Open (on 23 Nov) // Close on Sunday 13th December at 23:59 (GMT+7)Click here for the Khmer Text of this webpage.A 3-day Youth Innovator Bootcamp (18-20 December 2020) aims to incubate a sustainable future for everyone. This is a United Nations inter-agencies initiative led by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).Benefits 3-day bootcamp training and solution scalingA chance to win a project scaling grant of $3,500; $2,500 and $1,5006 months mentoring supportA chance to work with UNFPA and UNDP team to scale your solutionProgramme HighlightWe bring like-minded people to work together to build a sustainable future by sharing their ideas, making connections and creating impactful solutions for their communities. It is time for youth to take action and build a future that they want to live in.TimelineApplication open on 23/Nov/2020 (Please find the application here)Application close on 13/Dec.2020Provincial callout events 4th & 5th Dec in Battambang and Siem Reap (Detail activities to follow on social media)Successful application announce on 15/Dec/2020 at 6pm on CSDGs website/social mediaProvincial teams and candidates are expected to travel on 17/Dec to Phnom Penh to be ready and join the bootcamp starting on Friday 18/Dec/2020EligibilityCambodian Youth - ages 15-30 years Have a valid solution related to CSDGsSolution has been tested or in operations for at least three months prior applicationHave an existing team (maximum three members)Have an ability to communicate in both Khmer and EnglishNo established NGOs, organisations or companies are eligible to apply their project in this programmeHow to ApplySubmit an application online (Google Form) as a team. In the application form, you will be able to list down all your team members and upload individual CVs. Answer to all questions carefully and as details, critical and creative as possibleUpload your project pitch deck with all these details (name of the project, which CSDGs your team are trying to solve, your solution, key impact and target group of beneficiaries, project roadmap, milestone and budget).Upload a 2-3 mins video to introduce yourself and your team (tell us why do you want to join this Bootcamp and what should we know about you and your team)Pack your suitcase and lookout to our emails and calls. You might have an invitation to the bootcamp!Selection CriteriaClearly state the problem and give creative solution to one of CSDGsYour solution is innovative, practical and based in CambodiaAbility and willingness to scale up the project Project lead/team leader must have a bank account for project fund or cash prize transferYour project is not from an existing organisation, companies or NGOsAvailable to join Bootcamp in Phnom Penh on 18, 19 and 20 December 2020Open to work on the idea full-time if your project is selected among the winnersAbout CSDGsCambodia Sustainable Development Goals (CSDGs) are the nationalised framework for Cambodia based on global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. More information please contactPhone Number: 012 895 465Email: vuthdavid984@gmail.com

We often overlook weak signals of changes taking place in the world that pose both significant challenges and opportunities for development. The 7% growth rate of Cambodia’s economy in 2019, for instance, often draws our attention to the contributions of the Kingdom’s prioritized sectors - garments, agriculture, and tourism. This leaves sectors such as audit and accounting out of the picture we paint in our minds of Cambodia’s economic growth. However, this sector is critical to strategically move the country from playing catch up, to becoming a true game changer in the fast-moving development context of the 21st century. To achieve this goal, building human capital in accounting and audit will require a more accessible design.  Cambodia needs to train more accountantsThere has been an increasing need among local small and medium businesses for accounting technicians in Cambodia. Currently, only 0.02% of micro-enterprises, 3.89% of small enterprises and 24.11% of medium enterprises have adequate book-keeping. This is a barrier for enterprises in the country to access finance, government assistance or new technology.In Cambodia, several higher educational institutions that provide accounting and audit courses exist, but these are centered in the capital city and come with a high cost and long duration of study in order to graduate. Among these, there is only one institution in Cambodia with quality recognition from ACCA, whose standard annual subscription is £112 (around 146 USD) and Applied Skills Exams is £106 (around 138 USD). Most students find it hard to afford this renowned certified accounting standard that can help them to kick start their careers. This reflects an urgent need for accessibility and affordability in professional accounting and audit training.How can we do better?The Accounting Technician Qualification (ATQ) programme in Cambodia has been created to develop and introduce an internationally recognized accounting technician qualification training curriculum for Cambodian youth, tailored to the needs of businesses and development objectives in Cambodia. The programme is considered to be more affordable than existing options and it requires less training hours. The programme focuses on building youth’s competency in accounting and audit so that they can become more capable accounting technicians within a short period of time. These youth may be high school graduates or employees who are looking for a chance to upgrade their skills and move into higher positions.The ATQ programme aims to produce at least 500 more accountants in Cambodia by 2021. Building a stronger accounting and audit sector through a more refined programme such as the ATQ will ultimately help to create a more attractive business environment, increase investor confidence in public financial management, and address current employers’ needs for ready-to-work accountants in Cambodia.Written byChhay Lim | National Intern on Communications and Knowledge Management, UNDP Accelerator Labs in CambodiaFind this original article from UNDP Cambodia: here