CIVIL SOCIETY: MUTUAL ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT
Quarterly Progress Report October 1, 2018-December 31, 2018
January 31, 2019
Cooperative Agreement Number AID-367-A-16-00007
Project Start and End Date: April 4, 2016 to April 3, 2021
Submitted to: Krishna Pathak, Agreement Officer’s Representative USAID
Submitted by: Bishnu Sapkota, Chief of Party, Civil Society: Mutual Accountability Project FHI 360 GPO Box 8803, Gopal Bhawan Anamika Galli, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 977.1.4437173 Email: [email protected]
Civil Society: Mutual Accountability Project 1 QuarterlyThis documentProgress Report was No. produced 8 Oct 1, 2018 for-Dec review 31, 2018 by the United States Agency for International
Development. It was prepared by FHI 360. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary 6 1. Introduction 13 2. Context 13 3. Progress Overview 16 4. Activity Progress 30 4.1 Development and submission of deliverables 30 4.2 Progress achieved toward project objectives 30 5. Cross Cutting Interventions 75 5.1 Gender Equality and Social Inclusion 75 5.2 Youth Engagement 77 5.3 Use of Information, Communication, and Mobile Technologies 78 6. Coordination and Collaboration 79 7. Monitoring and Evaluation 80 8. Activity Progress Summary 84 9. Priorities for Quarter 2 (January 1-March 31, 2019) 84 10. Success Stories 85 11. Challenges and Mitigation Measures 87 12. Lessons Learned 88 13. Annexes 88
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Abbreviations and Acronyms
AIN Association of International NGOs in Nepal AMO Advocacy, Monitoring and Oversight AOR Agreement Officer’s Representative ARI Advocacy Readiness Index CA Common Assembly CAG Content Advisory Group CAR Community Action Researchers CDC Community Development Center CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy CIAA Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority CLSF Critical Listening and Feedback Sessions CS:MAP Civil Society: Mutual Accountability Project CR Community Reporter CSO Civil Society Organization DCC District Coordination Committee DEC Development Experience Clearinghouse DEC Nepal Development Exchange Center Nepal DQA Data Quality Assessment DRR Disaster Risk Reduction EA Equal Access ECN Election Commission of Nepal EOCG Election Observation Coordination Group FGD Focus Group Discussion FNJ Federation of Nepali Journalists FOA Freedom of Association FOE Freedom of Expression GESI Gender Equality and Social Inclusion GGB Good Governance Barometer
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GoGo Foundation Good Governance Foundation GON Government of Nepal HEAD Health, Education, Agriculture and Disaster Risk Reduction HRPLSC Human Rights Protection and Legal Service Center HUARDEC Human Rights Awareness and Development Center ICNL International Center for Not-for-Profit Law ICT Information and Communications Technology IHRC Information and Human Right Research Center IHRICON Institute of Human Rights Communication Nepal IJ Investigative Journalism INSEC Informal Sector Service Center IIP Institutional Improvement Plan IRDC Indreni Rural Development Center IRDS Rural Development Society ISO Intermediary Service Organization IVR Interactive Voice Response KII Key Informant Interviews LDAG Listening, Discussion and Action Group MAG Media Advocacy Group M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MITRA Samaj Measures for Intervention Training Research and Action Samaj MOCIT Ministry of Communication and Information Technology MOFAGA Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration MOHA Ministry of Home Affairs MOWCSW Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizen NEOC National Election Observation Committee NEPAN Nepal Participatory Action Network NGO Non-Governmental Organization NFN NGO Federation of Nepal NNSWA Nepal National Social Welfare Association
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NRA National Reconstruction Authority NSET National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal OCA Organizational Capacity Assessment OGP Open Government Partnership OLDGS Open Local Government Digital System PEAR Participatory and Evidence-based Action Research PET/S Public Expenditures Tracking (System) PIL Public Interest Litigation PMELP Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan POC Public Outreach Campaign PPWG Public-Private Working Group PSA Public Service Announcement PSO Public Services Oversight QPR Quarterly Progress Report RFA Request for Applications RFP Request for Proposals RTI Right to Information RWDC Rural Women Development Center SA Social Accountability SAP Nepal South Asia Partnership Nepal SMS Short Message Service SMV SMS My Voice SOCH Nepal Society for Humanism Nepal SSMK Saathi Sanga Manka Kura SSS Social Security Scheme SWC Social Welfare Council TA Technical Assistance USAID United States Agency for International Development
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Executive Summary
December 2018 marked one year since elections for the federal and provincial Parliaments, and 10 months since the formation of the two-thirds majority central government. However, there has been little progress in implementing the federated structure in accordance with the Constitution and public demand. Provincial and local governments have complained of federal reluctance to devolve power, leading to confusion over power sharing. The slow pace of the government in formulating and reforming 179 laws to fully operationalize the federal polity has created widespread concern that the constitutional deadline will be missed. At present, only 109 bills have been considered by the federal Parliament.
Against this backdrop, the USAID Civil Society: Mutual Accountability Project (CS:MAP) made notable progress towards its objective of fostering a more legitimate, accountable and resilient Nepali civil society that is capable of advancing the public interest. CS:MAP revised the scope of work of its partners to minimize the chances of duplication and strengthen the engagement with each other. The frequency of meetings between civil society and media coalitions increased. They discussed and drove advocacy issues related to contemporary laws and policies and associated sectoral improvement agendas, thereby educating and motivating actors to play a role in strengthening the civil society and media enabling environment. CS:MAP conducted reviews of multiple draft policies and bills, including the 2018 Development Cooperation Policy, the Media Management Bill of Province 3, and the Communication Policy of Province 5. The resulting policy briefs were distributed to over 250 stakeholders, and provided information about the relative strengths and gaps in each bill, including recommendations for revisions, according to constitutional provisions, international standards and best practices. The Association of International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Nepal (AIN) and NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) also developed concern papers based on these briefs.
Through five dialogues and three interactions on civil society and media related policy reform held at the national and sub-national level, approximately 200 representatives from different national civil society federations, leaders, editors, past presidents of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), representatives from thematic media associations and political actors were educated on civil society and media-related policy standards, with the objective of securing commitments to protecting freedoms of association and expression. Audio-visual materials (TV debates, video dramas and short video clips) disseminated through social media reached 132,684 individuals as of this writing, and approximately 1,200 citizens, government officials, civil society actors and media representatives interacted and received information about civil society and media. CS:MAP also drafted a civic charter which provides a common framework for CSO self-regulation.
Outcomes under objectives of Indo-Pacific Strategy:
Neelakantha Municipality develops an Open Government Partnership (OGP) action plan: CS:MAP supported the mayor of Neelakantha Municipality to participate in the fifth OGP Summit (July 17-19 ,2018) held in Georgia. During this quarter, Neelakantha Municipality organized a meeting with the municipality team to improve understanding of OGP and its importance at the local government level. As a result, the municipality has formally decided to apply OGP standards
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within the municipality. A draft has been prepared by the municipality advisor, which will be shared with stakeholders to form a steering committee on OGP.
Strengthening Civil Society Organizations’ (CSO) readiness to participate in OGP: CS:MAP partner Freedom Forum organized two discussion programs on OGP this quarter. One of the events was co-led by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and included participation by the chairpersons of Public Accounts Committee, Finance Committee, Delegated Legislation and Government Assurance Committee, and Sustainable Development and Good Governance Committee of the National Assembly, CSO leaders, OGP champions and advocates. Attendees discussed efforts to date to implement OGP and affirm commitments to advance the OGP agenda in Nepal. The meeting resulted in formation of a three-member committee to facilitate the process and prepare CSOs to participate in OGP. The members of the committee are Mr. Narayan Adhikari from Accountability Lab, Mr. Krishna Sapkota from Freedom Forum and Mr. Dayasagar Shrestha from National Campaign for Sustainable Development (NACASUD-Nepal).
OGP Handbook: CS:MAP drafted a handbook to educate stakeholders on OGP principles, structures, working modality and status of Nepal’s participation in OGP. The handbook has been distributed to experts who will provide feedback, and CS:MAP will publish the handbook in Quarter 2 and share widely with relevant stakeholders.
Anti-Corruption Campaign: Coinciding with the International Anti-corruption Day on December 9, CS:MAP led a campaign organizing 13 different activities in 33 districts at the local, provincial and federal levels. The campaign addressed the practice of giving and taking bribes, as well as pervasive corruption throughout Nepal, by mobilizing citizens to take a stand against corruption and request that elected officials sign a public pledge stating that they will not engage in any form of corruption. More than 1,630 people, including elected representatives, government officials, private sector representatives, civil society actors, students and citizens at large committed to work against corruption. During the campaign, civil society leaders handed over a nine-point memorandum (Annex 1) to the Prime Minister, Speaker, and Chair of State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the Parliament, as well as to mayors of municipalities and gaunpalikas, and high-level government officials of 20 other districts. Complaint Handling Mechanism for the Commission on Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA): CS:MAP has supported the development and implementation of a C.I.A.A. mobile application for the CIAA online complaint system, which can be used by the public to lodge complaints related to corruption and abuse of power. The system can be accessed through play store in any Android phone via internet, Unstructured Supplementary Service Data or short message services (SMS). Citizens can also record a video of corruption cases and link directly with the CIAA system.
Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MOFAGA): As of November 2018, the Open Local Government Digital System (OLGDS), developed by CS:MAP for Neelakantha municipality of Dhading district and Nepalgunj sub-metropolitan city of Banke district, is now formally owned by the MOFAGA. The MOFAGA has sent a circular on November 19, 2018 to all local units asking for applications from units interested in replicating the system. In the coming
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months, CS:MAP will intensify its outreach efforts to interested local governments and provide them with technical support in using the OLGDS.
Efforts to increase civic engagement: In collaboration with MOFAGA, CS:MAP is drafting a resource book on civic engagement. The book will be used to educate and raise awareness among citizens, local governments and civil society. This book includes an overview of civic engagement and civic oversight principles as well as information about the importance of civic engagement in public policy formulation, planning processes, service delivery and other aspects of public administration; civic engagement frameworks for different levels; and the role of citizens, civil society and government to strengthen civic engagement. In addition, CS:MAP has initiated a documentary film production that will promote civic engagement. This documentary will be used by MOFAGA and local governments to guide citizens, local governments and civil society to increase civil society oversight and engagement with newly-elected local governments.
Proactive disclosure by local governments: CS:MAP developed and shared a Right to Information (RTI) proactive disclosure template (Annex 2) with local governments through its partners. Using this template, CSO partners are working with local governments to proactively disclose 20 types of information to citizens on a quarterly basis. Information and Human Right Research Center (IHRC) in Banke provided technical support to Nepalgunj sub-metropolitan city in completing the RTI proactive disclosure template. Similarly, CSOs in other districts have started consultations with municipalities/gaunpalika to apply the RTI proactive disclosure template widely.
District-level achievements: During this quarter 15 issues (Annex 3) related to public services delivery and resources were identified and resolved in CS:MAP working districts. This was possible due to approximately related 100 news reports and articles produced and published in local and national media, approximately 70 interactions/delegations held and 32 memorandums/position papers submitted to address the issues with relevant municipality/gaunpalika officials. CS:MAP stands ready with advocacy strategies for an additional 87 issues.
As recommended in the CS:MAP mid-term evaluation report, CS:MAP has identified opportunities for linking local-level Common Assembly (CA) discussions to the decision-making level, and has formed 53 Sajhedari Manch (public forums) (Annex 4) in local units through its partner CSOs. To increase collaboration between CSOs and media in CS:MAP districts, the project organized 33 dialogues focused on topics such as CSOs’ engagement in local-level legislative processes, local government and civil society collaboration in democratic governance, and protecting civil space in Nepal’s changing context.
CS:MAP has identified 4-5 CSO champions in each of its program district in collaboration with and recommendation from the local CSOs and local chapters of NFN and FNJ. These champions engaged in promoting the dialogue on civil society issues and promoting advocacy for civic engagement in government’s development initiatives through 33 civil society interactions. Similarly, the CSO champions are engaged in a series of social campaigns including campaigns on women issues and anti-corruption movement. These district-level interactions led by the civil society champions in the district helped in expanding civic space, helped CSOs understand their
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role of “civic vigilance” in strengthening democratic governance and improved partnerships between local governments and civil society. In addition, CS:MAP organized 16 orientations for citizens and elected local government representatives on the use of existing social accountability (SA) tools. This resulted in 32 joint oversight initiatives, nine public hearings, eight Public Expenditure Tracking (PET) initiatives and two social audits. The public hearings focused on publicizing annual budgets, lists of projects approved by local assemblies, the implementation status of approved projects and information about service delivery. For example, CSOs in Gulmi worked with local government to ensure maximum transparency in development projects and engage civil society in the legislative process. Likewise, civil society representatives from 10 organizations submitted a letter to the Rasuwa District Coordination Committee (DCC) requesting increased engagement with CSOs in policy formulation, reform and promoting good governance. The Rasuwa DCC committed to coordinate with all local units and stakeholders to increase civic engagement in the policy-making process.
Implementation of the Good Governance Barometer (GGB) in six gaunpalika yielded positive results. Gulmidurbar gaunpalika in Gulmi district focused on the 2018 Education Policy, including the provision for performance assessment of head teachers. Two secondary schools in Gulmi posted information about complaint redressal mechanisms and designated nodal officers. Five secondary schools in Sindhupalchowk installed electric machines to check timely arrival and departure of teachers and staffs after increased complaints about their absence. These schools are also conducting regular interactions with parents and students to solicit feedback on students’ learning achievements, and have developed codes of conduct for teachers and students alike. Similarly, the health post at Triveni gaunpalika in Rukum has started building disable-friendly structures with support from the Swachchhata project. The health post has also updated its citizen charter, posted a complaint box, appointed an information officer and published a list of free medicines. Staff attendance has been regular and there has been a 25 percent increase in pregnant women seeking prenatal services from the health post.
Media accomplishments: Thirty-two journalists received training on public interest reporting tools such as RTI, data journalism, and public expenditure tracking. The trainees have published 10 public interest stories focused on water crises, earthquake reconstruction and other social issues. In order to keep track of their results, the trained journalists have formed a committee to promote public interest reporting and CS:MAP has been providing support to the journalists through the committee.
Journalists trained in previous quarters on investigative journalism and Advocacy, Monitoring and Oversight (AMO) techniques continue to work together to produce reports on advocacy issues identified by CS:MAP CSO partners. In 137 stories published in Gorkhapatra, Nepal Samacharpatra, Nagarik Daily, online news portals and MeroReport, the journalists described the need for effective planning and budget allocation to minimize disaster risk (floods, landslides); for government facilities and infrastructure to take into account the special needs of differently-abled people; for easier public access to health insurance and crop insurance schemes and services; and for effective utilization of agricultural grants.
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Journalists who attended a week-long study and exposure visit in the last quarter of Year 3 published 14 comprehensive investigative news stories (Annex 5) on public interest issues. The investigative pieces included stories related to public accountability towards citizens’ demands and needs; gender empowerment and social inclusion (GESI) in ensuring fair and equitable access to, distribution of and utilization of public resources; the need for government office infrastructure to be accessible by differently-abled people; stronger implementation of mother language education at the local level; addressing gender-based violence prevalent; etc. One such article that highlighted a lack of local-level management capacity, leading to a lack of vaccines at local health facilities, was written by a CS:MAP Investigative Journalism trainee from Banke in collaboration with Himal Khabar reporters based in Surkhet and Morang.
The feedback received from 3,045 feedback messages (includes feedback received through local radio station partners and Sajha Boli Chautari) showed that the CS:MAP radio series has contributed to an increase citizen awareness, especially related to SA tools. A total of 79 radio episodes of “Sajha Boli” and Saathi Sanga Manka Kura (SSMK) resulted into 22 collective actions led by Listening Discussion and Action Groups (LDAGs) in 17 districts, during which they made use of SA tools such as RTI and public audits to track progress on the implementation of local-level development activities, budget expenditures, quality education, and improvements to health services. In addition, the LDAG members have been able to negotiate with local government offices to ensure local budget allocations for agriculture (irrigation) and for women and children’s programs. Some of the LDAG members have also been selected as users' committee members at the local level, which has provided an opportunity for them to constructively engage with local- level government and relevant agencies in pursuit of their advocacy efforts.
The SMS My Voice (SMV) campaign launched on December 8, 2018, received 604 individual calls by December 31, including from local-level representatives from CS:MAP districts. Through campaign IVR, SMS, and social media, people are sharing stories of their engagement with local government, highlighting how they are trying to ensure transparency and accountability by seeking information about budget allocations for differently-abled people and in thematic areas such as health and public transportation. Likewise, local leaders have shared how they have provided budget information in their respective local-level governments through the campaign.
During the reporting period, 43 photographs from the CRs highlighting service delivery gaps in HEAD areas were featured in MeroReport and on the Sajha Boli Facebook page to engage relevant stakeholders and concerned authorities, and to strengthen public participation and oversight using media and ICT tools. At the end of the year, these photographs will be showcased at an annual photo exhibition to raise awareness and hold public authorities accountable, responsive, and transparent.
Out of 442 blogs posts published on the MeroReport web platform during this quarter, eight blogs were posted by Community Action Researchers (CARs) based on findings from research carried out in previous quarters, 44 blogs were posted by CSO representatives following the Participatory Evidence-based Action Research (PEAR) training, and seven articles were shared on the usage of SA tools for public oversight, indicating the growing importance of MeroReport as a valued ICT platform for sharing information and promoting interactivity.
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Sustainability and local ownership:
The Open Local Government Digital System (OLGDS) - http://namunamun.csmapdev.org/ developed by CS:MAP was handed over to the MOFAGA in November 2018. MOFAGA has sent a circular to all local units asking them to replicate the application and published additional information on its official website. Civic engagement platforms initiated through CS:MAP efforts are gradually attracting buy-in from local governments. A year ago, Triveni gaunpalika in Rukum had formed Common Assembly (CA) in all wards on its own; they are now operating with technical support from CS:MAP. Likewise, Panauti municipality in Kavre formed its own CA in Ward No. 8. Inspired by the effectiveness of the CS:MAP-initiated CA in Ward No. 1 of the municipality, Ward No. 8 formed a new structure for civic engagement on December 6, 2018. The municipality has also decided to replicate and expand CAs in all wards so that citizens can discuss public service delivery and public resource use and engage with local governments. Duduwa gaunpalika in Banke also decided to replicate the CA in its remaining four wards.
Challenges and mitigation measures:
The provincial and local governments are drafting the laws without incorporating the public’s concerns. Civil society and media actors face difficulties in tracking the law-making process through multiple tiers of government due to lack of information about timeframes for policy formulation. The government is often reluctant to disclose information through formal channels, and consequently, stakeholders are relying on informal channels and casual meetings with the provincial legislatures. In response, CSOs have intensified casual meetings with the provincial legislatures, and are planning for increased engagement with provincial bureaucrats to track the law formulation process.
CS:MAP envisioned a collective advocacy approach by CSOs in the district to address problems with public services delivery and resources use. However, CSOs’ priorities are different and often aligned with funding requirements. So, to encourage them and engage them in collective efforts, CS:MAP intensified its discussion with CSOs and their leadership on the role of CSOs in democratic governance, and also provided an orientation to public services oversight.
CS:MAP mandates Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in all project-supported structures and activities such as CAs, LDAGs, trainings, Content Advisory Group (CAG) meetings, and voice collection for radio programs. But, CS:MAP faced some challenges in delivering trainings to a diverse audience, despite publishing an open announcement for the trainings and promoting them widely. In some cases, there were no applicants from some districts. As a result, it was difficult to ensure greater number of women, Dalit and marginalized community while choosing from a small group of applicants. CS:MAP media partner, Equal Access (EA) will continue to work with local CSO partners and FM radio partners in ensuring GESI balance within project participants, for training or other activities. CS:MAP will also continue to provide ongoing GESI orientations to local partners, and producers from local FM radio stations have developed action plans to secure a GESI balance in CAG meetings.
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Lessons learned:
Working through a set of civil society champions in the districts has helped energize civil society and engage stakeholders in governance oversight. If the capacity of these champions is strengthened and they are provided with reference/resource materials, they will drive civil society in the districts and engage with the government and citizens for better governance. For example, the champions in Gorkha came together for the development of Gorkha municipality into a well governed municipality. They decided to conduct a joint interaction with the elected representatives on March 2019. The civil society in Gulmi worked together with Gulmidurbar gaunpalika for engaging citizens in law drafting process.
Formation of Sajhedari Manch at gaunpalika and municipal level helped in linking local-level issues directly with the decision makers in the federal system. The local structures now feel owned and heard, and are motivated to put in efforts for effective local-level planning and implementation with increased citizen engagement.
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1. Introduction
The Civil Society: Mutual Accountability Project (CS:MAP), implemented by FHI 360, in partnership with Equal Access (EA) and the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), aims to foster a more legitimate, accountable and resilient Nepali civil society that is capable of advancing the public interest. It will achieve this by accomplishing four objectives, while incorporating Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) across all project activities:
1. Strengthened enabling environment for civil society and media;
2. Improved civil society and media capacity for effective policy advocacy and government engagement;
3. More coordinated and effective civil society and media oversight of public resource use and public service delivery;
4. Strengthened organizational capacity and sustainability of selected civil society organizations (CSOs) working in USAID priority sectors to advance local solutions.
2. Context
National Context: December 2018 marked one year since elections for the federal and provincial Parliaments, and 10 months since the formation of the two-thirds majority central government. However, there has been little progress in implementing the federated structure in accordance with the Constitution and public demand. Provincial and local governments have complained of federal reluctance to devolve power, leading to bickering over power sharing. The slow pace of the government in formulating and reforming 179 laws to fully operationalize the federal polity has created widespread concern that the constitutional deadline will be missed. At present, only 109 bills have been considered by the federal Parliament.
In an effort to fulfill its pre-election commitments, the Government of Nepal (GON) announced the Social Security Scheme (SSS) on November 27, 2018. Speaking at the launch of the scheme, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called it as a dawn of a “new era” for the country, describing it as the “First Social Security Day.” The government said the scheme would give complete social security cover for Nepali citizens, especially the working population of both formal and informal sectors. However, critics from multiple quarters accused the GON of launching the scheme prematurely.
During this reporting period the GON also brought forward for discussion three important drafts of policies and acts that govern CSOs: (i)the 2018 Development Cooperation Policy, prepared by Ministry of Finance to replace the 2014 Foreign Aid Policy; (ii)the 2018 Social Development Act, drafted by the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens; and (iii)the Act on Registration and Operation of Social Organizations, drafted by the Nepal Law Commission. CSO representatives participated in discussions of the draft policies/acts, and provided the GON with recommendations to improve the civil society enabling environment.
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The GON also convened the inaugural Inter-State Council Meeting on December 10-11, 2018 in Kathmandu. This highly-anticipated gathering brought together provincial Chief Ministers, the Prime Minister and the federal ministers to discuss issues around necessary clarity in jurisdictions of the three-tier government—which must be immediately resolved by drafting a law; limited budget for development works; central government not handing over infrastructures, properties and documents to the provincial governments, and lack of cordial relationship and co-operations among the three governments. However, the meeting did not identify solutions to the issues raised by the Chief Ministers in attendance, and the meeting ended with the formation of a high-level committee to suggest measures to address provincial grievances. These include the development of needed laws and bodies, such as the Federal Police Act, National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission, and Province Public Service Commission, which will allow for the creation of provincial police units and mitigation of staff shortages, delays in transferal of projects and resources to provinces, and disagreements over revenue sharing. Also in Quarter 1, attempts to implement the much-debated 2017 Employee Adjustment Act provoked a backlash among civil servants. The civil servants stalled implementation of the Act, resulting in a lack of human resources in the new federated structure and interfering with service delivery across the country. In addition, the Prime Minister’s call for “zero tolerance” of corruption and a high-profile corruption case have diverted the GON’s attention from the country’s prosperity agenda. The government also formed a three-member committee to investigate alleged corruption, and to recommend a new structure for the Social Welfare Council (SWC).
In September 2018, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MOCIT) formed a task force to review the penal codes, responding to national and international pressure calling for repeal or reform of provisions that impinge upon press freedom and freedom of expression. On November 30, 2018, the 15-member task force led by senior journalist, Dev Prakash Tripathi,1 submitted its report to the MOCIT, recommending the decriminalization of defamation. The report recommends a new press law to deal with professional conduct and work of media persons. It suggests that a journalist can be punished under the criminal law only if s/he violates a criminal law of the country. The report makes various recommendations for changes to clauses from Sections 21 to 308 of the Criminal Codes Act, including Section 50 (3) that prohibits journalists from “pressuring” the President of Nepal.
Continuing efforts to develop media-related legislation have been complicated by confusion over correlation between local/provincial and federal laws. For example, on November 27, 2018 the Province 3 Provincial Assembly unanimously passed the Media Management Act, which includes provisions for revoking media licenses due to defamation, affecting communal harmony or instigating caste or gender discrimination. However, these provisions contravene constitutional guarantees that media outlets can publish without fear of closure. The provisions are also subject to interpretation that could limit press freedom and freedom of expression. There are similar provisions within the Province 5 Media Policy, which passed on October 7, 2017 without broad stakeholder consultation. This and other legislation passed by the federal and provincial
1 https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/govt-told-to-decriminalise-defamation/
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governments have raised concerns that civic liberties and civic space for public oversight may be curtailed.
Also in Quarter 1, the GON began delaying public release of information from cabinet meetings, in contrast to past practice and in keeping with the 2007 Right to Information Act2. This move was condemned by the media fraternity, and a Freedom Forum press release described the decision as an attack on “civil rights, political freedom, transparency and accountability.”
Context in the Earthquake-affected Districts: The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has made changes in the stewardship of funds and allocation of human and financial resources, accelerating the process of reconstruction of damaged private houses and public structures. At the recommendation of local governments, NRA Chief Executive Officer Sushil Gyawali authorized the provision of housing grant to those who were omitted from a previous survey. Instead, local governments will be able to recommend individuals for benefits, making them eligible to receive government grants for private housing reconstructions. Mr. Gyawali also committed to resurveying affected areas to ensure inclusion of all impacted individuals, and to addressing related grievances.
In the Executive Committee meeting held on December 5, 2018 in Kathmandu the NRA also moved to sign separate agreements with relevant local governments to expedite and improve reconstruction work in earthquake-affected districts, and to hand over responsibilities related to post-earthquake reconstruction. The NRA also decided to hold meetings of Reconstruction District Coordination Committees beginning December 7 to review reconstruction and sign agreements with local governments.
As of this reporting period, the NRA is supporting reconstruction work in 272 local governments in 32 earthquake-affected districts. According to the NRA, by the end of December 2018 it had surveyed 996,582 households, of which 811,154 are eligible for grants. It had identified 61,891 beneficiaries for retrofitting their houses, and signed agreements with 749,083 beneficiaries. By the end of 2018, a total of 743,301 beneficiaries received the first tranche of housing grant funds; 530,504 had received the second tranche and 353,274 people received the third tranche of funds.
Context in the Western Districts: As in other parts of the country, the process of formulating new laws and policies has not progressed as quickly as expected. Despite the delays, civil society leaders have continued holding dialogues and interactions with high-level government officials and elected representatives of the provincial and local governments. For example, on December 29, 2018 South Asia Partnership (SAP) Nepal coordinated a provincial-level interaction on the draft of the 2018 Social Development Act in coordination with the Nepal Law Commission and in collaboration with the NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) and Informal Sector Service Center in Province 5, Rupandehi. Similar efforts were made in other districts. CSOs and Gulmidurbar gaunpalika in Gulmi district have agreed to engage expert CSOs and citizens in the law-making process. Ashok Kumar Thapa, chairperson of Gulmidurbar gaunpalika, issued a press release on
2 https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/info-gag-on-cabinet-decisions-against-constitution-rti-act/ https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/cabinet-decisions-must-be-transparent/
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December 10, 2018 committing to ensure transparency in guanpalika development work and to engage CSOs and citizens in the legislative process. CSOs in Banke district organized an interaction with Duduwa gaunpalika on December 23, 2018 to emphasize the role and importance of civil society and ensure the participation in and engagement of people with the local government. Chair of Ward No. 5 Parashuram Budhathoki promoted local-level meetings as mechanisms for citizen input and civil society at the local level. In Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan and Pyuthan districts, CSOs organized interactions to promote a vibrant civil society and support the expansion of civic space at the district level. Civil society champions/activists presented papers on CSOs’ participation in law-making processes and urged elected representatives and government officials to engage CSOs in the law-making process at the local level.
3. Progress Overview
The following immediate outputs and outcomes were achieved as a result of CS:MAP activities during this reporting period:
Objective 1: Strengthened enabling environment for civil society and media
Result 1.1 Improved legal and policy framework, based on international standards, that leads to better operating environment and strengthened capacity for civil society.
● Civil society, media and government stakeholders were sensitized on the policy standards and options based on international standards and constitutional values. CS:MAP partners reviewed the 2018 Development Cooperation Policy, Media Management Bill of Province 3, and Communication Policy of Province 5 based on constitutional provisions, international standards and best practices and organized dialogues, discussions and one- on-one meetings. Policy briefs (Annex 6) on the positive aspects and gaps in these documents were prepared for civil society and media stakeholders. These policy briefs were shared with more than 250 stakeholders by CS:MAP and partners. ● More than 100 civil society and media actors and more than 60 political leaders participated in five dialogues and three interactions on civil society- and media-related policy standards, with the objective of securing commitments for freedoms of association and expression. During these events, which took place at the national and sub-national level, participants discussed the role of different actors was discussed and agreed on next steps for constructive engagement. After these consultations, CS:MAP partners FNJ, NFN, Freedom Forum and INSEC were invited by federal and local government to share their ideas and perspectives on the proposed civil society and media related policies. Feedback from these partners are integrated in the amendment proposals. ● CS:MAP supported Neelakantha Municipality of Dhading district and Nepalgunj Sub- Metropolitan City of Banke district to implement Open Local Government Digital Systems (OLGDSs). The OLGDS provides information about government functioning as well as platforms for citizen-government interaction. CS:MAP has also supported ongoing discussion and education related to the Open Government Partnership (OGP), helping seven municipal mayors better understand the principles and values of OGP and Nepal’s participation in OGP platform. And, after CS:MAP supported the mayor of Neelakantha’s
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participation in the 5th OGP Summit (July 17-19, 2018), Neelakantha Municipality organized a municipality team meeting on October 4, 2018 focusing on the importance of OGP at the local level. Following the meeting, the municipality decided to apply OGP standards within the municipality.
Result 1.2 Improved public understanding and confidence in the role of CSOs and media.
● A total of 132,684 people through-out the country got access to the civil society and media related awareness raising materials like TV debates, video dramas and short video clips. These audio-visual materials were disseminated through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. ● Ongoing local fairs are being used by civil society and media to interact with people and promote the understanding about the role and importance of civil society. Approximately 1,200 citizens, government officials, civil society actors and media representatives received information about the impactful works of civil society and media. ● Journalists in earthquake affected districts created a platform to promote public interest reporting by using tools such as Right to Information (RTI), data journalism, and public expenditure tracking (PET) survey, with a focus on transparency in reconstruction efforts for earthquake-affected areas. Trained journalists have published 10 public interest stories about water crises, earthquake reconstruction and other social issues. ● CS:MAP, through national and local partners, engaged with more than 1,630 people from 33 districts through an anti-corruption campaign, including elected representatives and governments officials, private sector representatives, civil society actors, students and the general public. The campaign sought to end the giving and taking of bribes and oppose pervasive corruption in Nepal by mobilizing citizens and persuading elected officials at the local, provincial and federal levels to sign anti-corruption pledges. As part of the campaign, CS:MAP partners and civil society leaders presented a nine-point memorandum to the Prime Minister, Speaker, and Chair of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the Legislature Parliament. Similarly, memoranda were presented to mayors of municipalities and gaunpalikas, and high-level government officials from Gulmi, Rolpa, Nuwakot, Dang, Kathmandu, Banke, Bardiya, Rasuwa, Makawanpur, Arghakhanchi, Dadeldhura, Baitadi, Ramechhap, Lalitpur, Sindhuli, Dailekh, Pyuthan, Dolakha, Salyan and Rukum districts, among others. ● A three-member civil society committee has been formed to expand the OGP and engage with government for its endorsement. Members of Parliament including the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, Finance Committee, Delegated Legislation and Government Assurance Committee, and Sustainable Development and Good Governance Committee of the National Assembly have shown their willingngess to take it forward. ● Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MOFAGA), in collaboration with CS:MAP, has initiated to develop a civic engagement framework for local governments through developing a resource book, sample guideline and a documentary film on civic engagement. MOFAGA has agreed to use these materials as a learning and awareness raising material for citizens, local governments and civil society for conceptual understanding and provisions of civic engagement and civic oversight; civic engagement
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in public policy formulation, planning process, service delivery and other aspects of public administration.
Result 1.3 Improved self-regulation of the sector and internal governance of CSOs and media.
● A Civic Charter (Annex 7) has been developed and launched as a civil society sectoral commitment for democracy and self-regulation. More than 120 organizations have committed to implement it to improve civil society credibility and demonstrate accountability to citizens, government, donors, and the broader public sphere. ● Sample internal governance guideline (Annex 8) for CSOs have been developed and shared with the Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN) and other CSOs for their inputs. The guideline covers the domains such as participation and inclusion, transparency, accountability, rule of law, leadership development, human resource management, financial management, strategic planning, GESI and cross-cutting agendas The guideline will be used to enhance the CSO capacity for developing and implementing internal governance policies.
Application of strategic approach and relevance of critical assumption:
CS:MAP national partners formed the national alliance to counter the issue of corruption. “National Campaign Against Corruption” a loose network of CSOs at national level led the anti- corruption campaign with significant activities including handover of the memorandum comprising nine demands of CSOs’ to prime minister and other senior government stakeholders. Similarly, a loose network of CSOs working in sector of health, education, agriculture and disaster response have been formed in collaboration of local chapters of NFN and FNJ. These alliances are regularly meeting and discussing the issues of local governments’ acts related to media and CSOs’ and public service delivery and the internal governance of CSOs. Besides this, the joint effort of NFN, FNJ and other national partners have been regularly engaging and promoting the policy reform.
Similarly, an internal governance guideline has been produced and is being used in promoting self- regulation among CSOs. Besides this, NFN has started to monitor the CSOs affiliated with NFN for the implementation of NFN’s code of conduct and Istanbul Principle at both national and sub- national level. Based on the assessment of the implementation of code of conduct, the NFN will appreciate and reward the CSOs which will ultimately contribute to the CSOs’ image at community level as well as support in its enabling environment.
CS:MAP has identified 4-5 CSO champions in each of its program district in collaboration and recommendation of the local CSOs and local chapters of NFN and FNJ. These champions are engaged in promoting the dialogue on civil society issues and promoting advocacy for civic engagement in government’s development initiatives. Similarly, the CSO champions are engaged in series of social campaigns including campaigns on women issues and anti-corruption movement. These CSOs are also contributing in the advocacy for policy issues related to media and CSOs as well as bridging gap between CSOs and community on the image of civil society in
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the districts. The CSOs lead and facilitate the district level civil society discourse and bring citizen’s issues in front of the stakeholders comprising the local elected leaders and government officials. Critical assumptions made in the Year 4 workplan were relevant. Civil society continuously engaged with stakeholders to improve laws/policies that came into public discussions. A draft on Social Development Act 2075 was shared by Social Welfare Council without the ownership of Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen as well as the civil society groups. Some concerns were raised about the draft by NGO Federation and other civil society groups. Several discussions were held on new laws where civil society engaged rigorously to sensitize drafting committee on international standards and constitutional values. Moreover, sub-national governments couldn't formulate civil society and media related laws as similar federal laws were not finalized. However civil society provided feedback on laws and policy standards that should be considered by provincial and local government.
Anticipated challenges and CS:MAP mitigation measures
As anticipated in the Year 4 workplan, the policy formulation process in general has been rapid, unexpected, complex and confidential. All three tiers of government drafted laws in closed environment, with limited CSO access. The resulting draft laws often contained clauses that threatened democratic principles of public discourse in public policy formulation processes. Time constraints may have contributed to limited public input into policy development, longstanding bureaucratic tendencies to avoid public consultation, in addition to bureaucratic opposition to public consultation. Either way, the resulting policies did not benefit from inclusion of public concerns, and many times the drafts had progressed too far to easily address these gaps. CSOs and media outlets therefore had limited opportunity for advocacy interventions due to uncertainties and confidentiality within the processes. To overcome this challenge, CSOs and media relied on formal and informal channels to obtain information. SAP Nepal closely worked with members of the Nepal Law Commission to collect information about the law-making process and presented CSOs’ positions on bills related to civil society and the media. SAP Nepal also invited members of the Commission to its events, thereby inserting stakeholder voices into the process and opening avenues for advocacy.
Similarly, NFN gained access to draft laws and policies through its engagement with the Nepal Law Commission and SWC. As head of the CSO coalition, NFN was able to obtain the draft Bill on Registration and Operation of Social Organizations from the Commission, as well as the Social Welfare Development Bill from the SWC, and disseminate them for discussion through formal and informal platforms. NFN also conducted dialogue meeting with the Social Welfare Council and Nepal Law Commission to present CSOs’ positions on the draft bills.
The current political and social context often negatively influences the civil society enabling environment due to negative perceptions of CSOs by citizens, bureaucrats and politicians. This is due in part to CSOs’ internal governance challenges. In response, as noted above NFN led development of a common charter for self-regulation which has been accepted and signed by the various sectoral and ethnic CSO coalitions. Use of this charter will promote the legitimacy of CSOs
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and therefore contribute to a stronger enabling environment. Similarly, CSO embrace of the charter is expected to improve public perceptions of CSOs, and subsequently improve CSO confidence and capacity to advocate for their positions with regulatory authorities. The will improve public representation of civil society by encouraging media to offer an objective, balanced account of CSOs and their activities.
Despite mistrust between civil society and media, representatives from both sectors expressed interest in collaborating to promote Freedom of Association (FOA) and Freedom of Expression (FOE). With the increased threats to FOA and FOE in the last quarter, both media and civil society have engaged in advocacy to protect civic space. Many of the draft bills related to media have regressive provisions that CSOs have strongly condemned, criticized and advocated against publicly through various platforms. Similarly, media has published stories and shared evidence to promote CSOs’ operating environment.
Objective 2: Improved civil society and media capacity for effective policy advocacy and government engagement.
Result 2.1 Strengthened CSO initiatives to coordinate with the Government of Nepal (GON) and to implement constructive advocacy strategies.
● Coordination and synergy among CSOs/HEAD coalitions in the district has been stronger and vibrant leading to 70 meetings/interactions/delegations and submission of 32 request letters, memoranda and position papers to municipalities/gaunpalikas on priority advocacy issues. Because of this, HEAD coalitions were successful in resolving 15 advocacy issues (out of 102). In addition, HEAD coalitions jointly developed advocacy plans and strategies for 96 new issues (87 of which are final). Evidence was collected for 66 issues and more than 100 related news articles were published in local and national media to support constructive engagement with the GON on legal and policy frameworks as part of the advocacy efforts pursued by HEAD network/coalition. ● Coaching and mentoring efforts by ISOs gained momentum in this quarter with direct technical support to 14 CSOs on 23 different programs with 95 days spent at the field level. Because of this direct field level coaching and mentoring support, CSOs were able to implement Advocacy Readiness Index (ARI) action plans, conducted evidence-based action research and carried out advocacy campaigns. The support also resulted in the application of minimum standard by CSOs, implementation of interactions to support a robust civil society, formation of Sajhedari Manch, and orientation on social accountability (SA) tools at the gaunpalika/municipality level. ● Government buy-in and ownership of civic engagement platforms of CS:MAP has been on the rise. A year ago, Triveni gaunpalika in Rukum had formed Common Assembly (CA) in all wards on its own; they are now operating with technical support from CS:MAP. Likewise, Panauti municipality in Kavre formed its own CA in Ward No. 8. Inspired by the effectiveness of the CS:MAP-initiated CA in Ward No. 1 of the municipality, Ward No. 8 formed a new structure for civic engagement on December 6, 2018. The municipality has also decided to replicate and expand CAs in all wards so that citizens can discuss public service delivery and public resource use and engage with local governments. Duduwa
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gaunpalika in Banke also decided to replicate the CA in its remaining four wards. During the reporting period, citizens discussed local issues and explored possible solutions to public service delivery at 53 Sajhedari Manch (public forums-Annex 4) and 67 CA meetings.
Result 2.2 Improved coalition-building between local and national CSOs, and between CSOs and the media, that leads to joint actions undertaken on selected policy priorities across sectors.
● HEAD coalitions have been more regular and frequent because of coordination and synergy among CSOs in the district. Coalitions met 34 times to discuss advocacy issues in Health, Education, Agriculture and Disaster Risk Reduction (HEAD), developed joint advocacy strategies and plans for public service oversight functions. During this period, coalition members agreed to take joint actions to scale up advocacy efforts and joint actions. ● Collaboration between media and CSOs was more vibrant and stronger at district levels. Thirteen joint actions taken up to engage with local governments to support advocacy on public interest issues and agendas. These joint actions included submission of letters of memorandum, delegations and meetings with local governments to highlight policy and public interest issues. Joint actions have focused on engaging CSOs organizations in law-making processes, strengthening collaboration between local governments and CSOs in the district, reinvigorating civil society’s role in democratic governance, and improving public service delivery, among others. CSOs in Gulmi drew the attention of local governments to ensure maximum transparency in development works and to engage civil society in the legislative process. Likewise, civil society representatives from 10 organizations handed over a request letter to the District Coordination Committee (DCC) of Rasuwa to ensure the civic engagement and partnership of CSOs in policy formulation and reform and promoting good governance. The Rasuwa DCC committed to coordinate with all local units and stakeholders to increase civic engagement in policy- making processes.
Result 2.3 Improved CSO and media capacity to conduct participatory and evidence-based research on issues, policy, and enforcement in order to benefit marginalized groups.
● Based on findings from research carried out in previous quarters, Community Action Researchers (CARs) have begun to share blogs on the MeroReport web platform. Eight blog posts were shared by CARs and 44 blogs were shared by CSO representatives following the Participatory Evidence-based Action Research (PEAR) training, highlighting issues related to HEAD, SA tools, etc. Sixty-seven research activities were conducted during this reporting period, which helped to resolve 15 advocacy issues. ● Journalists selected and trained in previous quarters on investigative journalism (IJ) and Advocacy, Monitoring and Oversight (AMO) techniques have initiated collaborative efforts for reporting on advocacy issues. AMO and IJ trainings, continual follow-up support, and study visits and exposures to reputed media outlets made the trained local journalists see value in collaborating with local CSOs; identifying priority advocacy local governance issues related marginalized and minority groups; and undertaking joint
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advocacy reporting initiatives. This was not the culture in the past, where the focus was more on independent day-to-day political reporting. The trained journalists are now able to apply investigate and research techniques to gather factual data and information as evidence to back their advocacy claims. This is a positive outcome towards joint civic oversight and advocacy on health, education, agriculture and disaster risk reduction issues with a focus on marginalized populations, whose voices and concerns otherwise go unrepresented. ● The journalists published 137 stories on issues related to marginalized communities, local development, education, disaster risk management and local governance. Of these, nine stories that highlighted policy gaps within key thematic areas of CS:MAP – HEAD, GESI, and Youth – have been published in various news platforms including Gorkhapatra, Nepal Samacharpatra, Nagarik Daily and online news portals and in MeroReport. Similarly, 14 comprehensive-investigative news stories (Annex 5) on public interest issues were published this quarter by the journalists who attended a week-long study and exposure visit in the last quarter of Year 3. Focused on issues of marginalized groups, these investigative pieces included stories related to public accountability towards citizens’ demands and needs; GESI in ensuring fair and equitable access, distribution and utilization of public resources; the need for government office infrastructure to be friendly towards differently- abled people; stronger implementation of mother-language education at the local level; addressing gender-based violence (GBV) prevalent in the form of practices like Chhaupadi3; the status of services like birthing centers; women’s health issues; and the status of schools yet to be reconstructed in earthquake-affected districts. All of these stories were published in either national dailies, sub-national newspapers or online news portals or in MeroReport.
As a result of collaboration with national media outlets, IJ fellows have started to publish collaboratively with acclaimed investigative media outlets like Himal Khabar. One such article that highlighted a lack in local-level management capacity, leading to a lack of vaccines at local health facilities, was written collaboratively by the CS:MAP IJ trainee from Banke in collaboration with Himal Khabar reporters based in Surkhet and Morang. Published on December 24, the article highlights the lack of physical infrastructure, managerial capacity of local-level government staff, knowledge of public procurement processes and misunderstanding between local, province and federal governments as the primary reasons for the shortage of vaccines at local health facilities.
Application of strategic approach and relevance of critical assumption:
In order to link local-level discussions directly with decision makers, CS:MAP established a new structure, Sajhedari Manch, headed by the mayor/chair of local units. As anticipated in the Year 4 workplan, local-level elected officials remain engaged and open to participation in working groups and CAs and Sajhedari Manch facilitated by CS:MAP CSO partners. Engagement of local-level elected bodies improved discussion of local-level issues and supported both instant decisions and
3 Chhaupadi is a tradition associated with the menstrual taboo in the western part of Nepal which isolates women and girls for four days a month when they are menstruating.
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policy-level decision. CAs and Sajhedari Manch also helped to build relationships between the public and local government authorities. This was helpful in increasing the effectiveness of CA efforts to mitigate local issues and to replicate efforts in other wards.
Rather than using trainings and workshops with a “one size fits all” principle, CS:MAP implemented individualized capacity-building for partners based on their current needs and strengths. FHI 360 and EA built ISOs’ technical and organizational capacity continuously, which helped ISOs provide training, mentoring/coaching and technical support to local CSOs to strengthen their advocacy strategies and identify issues and action plans for effective advocacy. To improve CSOs’ capacity to conduct participatory and evidence-based policy advocacy, CS:MAP conducted a training for district program officers and CARs on evidence-based research on selected thematic areas/issues. ISOs provided support on research tools, techniques and development of forms and formats for Key Informants Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in response to identified issues.
The local civil society champions identified in each district were helpful in regularizing district- level interactions and promoting civil society’s role in the changed context. This will support more vibrant civic engagement with local and provincial government at the district level. CS:MAP engagement strategy for HEAD coalitions helped to widen understanding on advocacy efforts and the need for joints actions and encouraged coalitions to explore coordination for advocacy on policy priorities.
Anticipated challenges and CS:MAP mitigation measures
Throughout the life of the project, CS:MAP has anticipated challenges in coordinating different actors at the local level. During the reporting period, CS:MAP faced a challenge in managing potential political biases of elected representatives and impact on Sajhedari Manch. In response, CS:MAP worked with CSO partners to engage all members from the beginning and encouraged civil society members play a neutral role. Working with district-level HEAD coalitions to secure their support and cooperation on their efforts to engage governments and provide oversight of public services was challenging as the coalition members have limited advocacy capacity, time for participating in coalition meetings, frequent changes in representative from the same CSO, varying levels of buy-in for advocacy efforts, and different focuses and priorities. And, most members are more likely to present their own interests rather than emphasize public services delivery and resources uses. To mitigate these challenges, CSO partners are visiting coalition members individually, sharing CS:MAP priorities and the importance of joint oversight on public services delivery and resources use. CSO partners also share the meeting agendas in advance, focus on specific issues, and provide orientation on public service entitlements to coalition members.
After several rounds of discussion with ISOs and CSO partners, CS:MAP decided to use mentoring and coaching as the main vehicles for CSO support. It is a continued challenge to synchronize the work plan between different ISOs as well as between ISO and CSOs. To mitigate this, the CS:MAP team started a monthly meeting with ISOs, and are now guiding them continuously on CSOs’ scopes of work and conducting joint visits with ISOs. This has helped to synchronize partner priorities and ensure appropriate support to CSOs.
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Another challenge lies in ensuring sustained coordination and collaboration on matters of public interest between CSOs, local media, and other stakeholders. CS:MAP has started to conduct joint meetings and regular interactions between district-based actors, including local radio program producers, community reporters, trained media professionals, and CSO representatives where the importance of coordinated efforts is repeatedly reinforced, and actors are encouraged to work as one team. This strategy has already proven effective as witnessed after the recent refresher training of local radio program producers. The producers invited CSO representatives to their Critical Listening Feedback Sessions (CLFSs), jointly planned the “outdoor” discussion segments for their upcoming Sajha Boli radio episodes, and visited the Listening, Discussion and Action Groups (LDAGs) together. Similarly, the key issues identified by the CSOs for local-level advocacy purpose have been reported by trained media professionals.
CS:MAP has also confronted the challenge of encouraging institutional ownership of advocacy issues by CSO partners. To mitigate this challenge, CS:MAP added an advocacy expert in the team, increased the frequency of joint visits to program districts and continuously oriented the board members of CSO partners in the districts about the need for leadership in advancing advocacy issues.
Objective 3: More coordinated and effective civil society and media oversight of public resource use and public service delivery.
Result 3.1 Improved capacity of local CSOs, media, and community-based organizations to monitor and report on cross-sectoral public service delivery, based on common standards applicable to each sector.
● Draft checklists and standards (Annex 9) prepared to provide a uniform basis for conducting public service oversight related to Health and Education. CS:MAP worked with subject matter experts and officials from respective ministries and followed the existing legislation, regulations, guidelines and policies to develop indicators and standards for oversight activities. ● Implementation of the Good Governance Barometer (GGB) in six gaunpalika showed the local government’s commitment towards promoting good governance. o Gulmidurbar gaunpalika in Gulmi district developed the 2018 Education Policy, including the provision for performance assessment of head teachers. The accountability of teachers in five secondary schools in Sindhupalchowk increased after the installation of electric machines to check timely arrival and departure of teachers and staff. Similarly, the health post at Triveni gaunpalika in Rukum is now sensitive towards the disable-friendly service seekers. They have started constructing disable-friendly structures with support from the Swachchhata project. Due to the improved services delivery mechanism, there is an increase of 25 percent pregnant women seeking prenatal services from the health post. o A draft GGB model for Suddhodhan gaunpalika, Patariya-1 with defined indicators for minimum and maximum reference values, prepared and will be used to collect real values and prepare action plans in the next quarter.
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● HEAD/CSO coalitions are ready to start 32 joint initiatives based on the evidences generated on these issues. The joint initiatives will be helpful for a transparent and participatory policy making process. ● By the end of December 2018, MeroReport had 2,177 members, with 101 new members joining the platform this quarter. Analysis of the members and blog posts shared on MeroReport indicates significant participation of youth. Of 442 blog posts shared this quarter, 374 (84.6 percent) were posted by youth (15-29 years of age). At the sub-national level, Community Reporters (CRs) posted 168 blogs entries, trained IJ journalists posted 71, CSO representatives posted 44, AMO trainees posted 137, and 22 posts were made by other members. The growth in the number of blog articles posted by an increasing number of CS:MAP stakeholders demonstrates a crucial rise in consistent monitoring and reporting on cross-sectoral public service delivery.
Result 3.2 Improved bottom-up coordination between community, district, and national formal and informal CSOs engaged in public service oversight.
● CSO/HEAD coalitions submitted 32 request letters, memoranda and position papers on public interest and advocacy issues to draw the attention of municipality/gaunpalika leaders and leaders of other concerned agencies in the district. ● Civil society champions (local influencers) lead 33 civil society interactions in the districts. This added “local voice” to these civic discussions. This approach has contributed to deepen the knowledge of local influencers on certain public interest issues and supported vibrant civil society at the sub-national level. ● The civil society in districts are engaging, educating and empowering each other to strengthen collaboration between, and among actors and organizations to protect civic space and improve democratic governance and oversight at the sub-national level. These interactions focused on CSOs’ engagement in legislative processes at the local level, local government and civil society collaboration, the role of civil society in democratic governance, civil society challenges in the new federal context and reinvigorating civic space in the changing context of Nepal, among others, h helped CSOs understand their role of “civic vigilance” in strengthening democratic governance. The discussions also improved collaboration and partnerships between local governments, civil society and other stakeholders by bringing diverse actors together for discussion of public interest and policy issues.
Result 3.3 Improved citizen awareness and use of available GON social accountability mechanisms.
● Sixteen orientations on the use of existing SA tools sensitized citizens and elected representatives (chairs/vice-chairs, mayors/deputy mayors and ward chairpersons) from gaunpalikas/municipalities on the legal provisions for select SA mechanisms: Public Hearing Guidelines-2067, Public Audit Guidelines-2067, Social Audit Guidelines-2067, Right to Information Act-2064 and Good Governance (Management and Operation) Act- 2064.
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● Thirty-three civil society interactions organized by CS:MAP partners have helped CSOs understand their role of “civic vigilance” in strengthening democratic governance. Please see Result 3.2 for more details. Selected CSO champions facilitated these discussions and presented papers. ● Twenty RTI requests filed by CSOs with various local governments in Banke and Bardiya district sought information on service provision implementation status and how governments are providing designated services to citizens. The Banke District Court, in response to the Public Interest Litigation asked Bardiya District Hospital to maintain doctors as per the approved quota to ensure that every citizen enjoys his/her fundamental right to receive basic health service. ● An RTI proactive disclosure template (Annex 2) developed and circulated it among CSO partners to support local governments in wider application of RTI practices. ● CS:MAP’s efforts to educate citizens and elected representatives on the use of social accountability tools has been creating positive results – for example, through the increase in public hearings conducted by local governments. During the reporting period, nine local governments sought CSOs’ technical support in organizing public hearings. This is also indicative of increased collaboration and trust between CS:MAP partners and local governments. The public hearings focused on publicizing annual budgets, lists of projects approved by local assemblies, the implementation status of approved projects and service delivery details. ● The practice of CS:MAP partners conducting their own institutional social audits has lent credibility and increased mutual accountability among CSOs and government agencies in the district. Indreni Rural Development Center (IRDC) in Kapilvastu and Society for Humanism (SOCH) Nepal in Kathmandu organized social audits during this reporting period. Administrative and program details such as targets versus achievements, and financial details including a list of projects being implemented by the partners, were presented to multi-stakeholder groups including representatives from government offices, local governments, media, CSOs and beneficiaries, among others. ● A total of 79 radio episodes of 'Sajha Boli' and Saathi Sanga Manka Kura (SSMK) have contributed to improved awareness among listeners on important issues such as sub- national government revenue processes, their service delivery mechanisms, roles and responsibilities of municipal executives, target group budget and its implementation, good governance, empowerment of GESI groups, public oversight through social accountability mechanisms, and the role of youth in public services oversight. This has resulted into 22 collective actions led by 34 LDAGs in 17 districts, during which LDAGs made use of social accountability tools such as RTI and public audits to track progress on the implementation of local-level development activities, budget expenditures, quality education, and improvement of health services. In addition, the LDAG members have also been able to negotiate with the local government offices to ensure local budget allocations for agriculture (irrigation), and for women and children’s programs. Some of the LDAG members have also been selected as users' committee members at the local level which has provided an opportunity for them to actively and constructively engage with local-level government and relevant agencies in pursuit of their advocacy efforts.
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● As per the feedback received from local radio station partners and Sajha Boli Chautari – EA’s interactive voice response (IVR)-based audience feedback loop for Sajha Boli – the radio series has contributed to raise citizen awareness on topics including GON social accountability mechanisms.
A total of 3,045 feedback messages (inclusive of feedback received for SSMK and Sajha Boli) were received during this quarter, analysis of which showed that young people not only became aware of priority issues related to sub-national governance but have also begun applying social accountability tools in their communities.
Result 3.4 Improved citizen engagement in media and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools to strengthen public participation and oversight.
● In Year 3, the Open Local Government Digital System (OLGDS) was successfully launched in Neelakantha municipality of Dhading district and Nepalgunj sub-metropolitan city of Banke district. CS:MAP strongly lobbied the MOFAGA regarding the importance and effectiveness of OLGDS. During the reporting period (November 19, 2018), the MOFAGA wrote to 751 local governments and asked them to replicate the OLGDS. In coming months, CS:MAP will intensify its efforts to engage interested local governments and provide them with technical support to encourage use of the OLDGS. ● SMS My Voice campaign launched on December 8, 2018, has already received 604 calls from individuals, including local-level representatives from CS:MAP districts as of December 31, 2018, ,. The calls showed increased people’s engagement with local government, for instance highlighting how they are trying to ensure transparency and accountability within their local government by seeking information about funds allocated for differently-abled people and in thematic areas such as health and public transportation. Likewise, local leaders are using the campaign to share how they have provided information about their budgets. ● This quarter saw a 50 percent increase in the number of people using the MeroReport platform, with a total of 22,862 page views and 2,177 members, of which 101 are new members who registered this quarter. The increased number of youth, o active engagement on the platform contributed 374 (84.6 percent) of 442 blog posts during this quarter. Thirty- two percent of shared posts were shared by female participants. During the reporting period, seven articles were shared on the usage of social accountability tools for public oversight, indicating the growing importance of MeroReport as a valued ICT platform for sharing information and promoting interactivity.
Application of strategic approach and relevance of critical assumption:
As anticipated in the Year 4 workplan, the district-level HEAD/CSO coalitions served as mechanisms for coordination and collaboration among CSOs. In order to strengthen the effectiveness of public interest advocacy CS:MAP made the strategic decision to engage HEAD/CSO coalitions on issues raised at CA meetings. This also ensured coordination and linkage with local-level issues, and increased the visibility of local-level priorities at the district level.
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CS:MAP was also correct in assuming that government agencies and elected representatives would be open to participate in SA tool implementation. The collaborative, participatory approaches adopted by CS:MAP partners mitigated government fears that SA tools would be used to provoke citizens and attack government and as a result government officials and representatives were more responsive to use of SA tools. During the application of SA tools, including the GGB, elected representatives from local governments were consulted at various phases, beginning with issue selection and continuing throughout implementation. Governments are increasingly confident in the ability of CS:MAP partners to provide technical support for organizing public hearings and facilitating implementation of new SA tools like the GGB and PETs.
Anticipated challenges and CS:MAP mitigation measures
CS:MAP anticipated that elected officials and representatives might resist the application of SA tools. To mitigate this challenge, the project focused on creating ownership and promoting government buy-in by consulting key government actors at the outset and engaging them throughout the process. CSO partners were likewise counseled and supported to coordinate with local governments during each phase of SA tool implementation. This approach resulted in a collaborative application of SA tools.
CS:MAP also anticipated that engaging and mobilizing HEAD coalitions in district-level advocacy efforts. In response, CS:MAP revised the scope of work of its local CSO partners which made them work for collective civil society advocacy initiatives in the districts. They increased the frequency of coalition meetings and consultations to select advocacy issues, collect evidence with CARs and seek concurrence from HEAD coalition members on the use of evidence for advocacy and collective oversight activities. As a result, 16 advocacy issues were resolved, and coalitions jointly submitted approximately 32 request letters, memoranda and position papers to raise awareness with municipality/gaunpalika officials. The alternative approaches, such as outdoor production, of CS:MAP partner Equal Access helped in getting voices from people at the local level.
Objective 4: Strengthen organizational capacity and sustainability of CSOs working in USAID priority sectors to advance local solutions.
Result 4.1 Improved institutional governance of selected CSOs and media organizations.
● CS:MAP ISOs Nepal Participatory Action Network (NEPAN), Measures for Intervention Training Research and Action Samaj (MITRA Samaj), Nepal National Social Welfare Association (NNSWA) and Shtrii Shakti provided coaching and mentoring support to 14 CSOs focusing on to implement Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) Institutional Improvement Plans (IIPs), ARI capacity building plans and GESI action plans prepared during trainings and workshops conducted by CS:MAP. Coaching and mentoring enabled CSOs to implement the plans with technical skills and support from ISOs. In addition, ISOs provided distance support through emails, phone and sharing of templates and other resources. ISOs have been sharing their visit updates and progress on action plans with
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CS:MAP on a regular basis. For information about the frequency of CSO visits, see Result 2.1. ● ISO partner NEPAN conducted a three-day training on Governance and Leadership for CSOs, focusing on how to strengthen the institutional governance of CSOs. A total of 26 participants from 13 CSOs attended the training.
Result 4.2 Improved capacity of select CSOs and media organizations to mobilize social and financial resources for sustainability.
● After receiving sustainability-focused trainings during Quarter 4, FY 2018, a total of 13 CSOs prepared 40 different project proposals (10 for local and provincial governments and 30 for international donors) and secured five new funding streams (two from local government). ISOs have been providing support to CSOs to implement their resources mobilization plans, with a focus on funding diversification.
Result 4.3 Improved capacity of CSOs and media organizations to advance local solutions of priority development issues across sectors and to promote peer-learning opportunities.
● After seven local CSO partners shared their experiences with the OCA tool and its assessment, eight non-CS:MAP CSOs requested that CS:MAP ISO partners conduct OCA assessments. OCA best practices, the effectiveness of OCA tools and minimum standards for internal governance were shared among 84 other CSOs. CS:MAP will continue tracking the wider use of the OCA tool to strengthen the internal governance of CSOs in different districts. In addition to this, 13 CS:MAP local CSO partners applied minimum standards for internal governance in their organizations.
Application of strategic approach and relevance of critical assumption:
CS:MAP’s approach prioritizes building a stronger community of practice among those institutions positioned to provide capacity-strengthening services to CSOs in Nepal. ISOs supported CSOs to promote CS:MAP OCA tools to non-CS:MAP partners in CSOs based in districts. At the request of non-partner CSOs, ISOs will provide OCA assessments to a selected number of organizations. This will help to improve the internal governance practices among CSOs in CS:MAP working districts.
With ongoing support from CS:MAP, ISOs supported CSOs to roll out internal governance minimum standard to 14 local CSO partners. ISOs will follow up to ensure the implementation of plans to address indicators outlined in the minimum standards in different nine categories. ISOs will continue to follow up on progress made on action plans prepared during resource mobilization and financial sustainability trainings held in Q4, FY 2018 and provide their support to implement the plans. All 14 CSOs will develop proposals in FY 2019 to pursue new funding from government and international donors.
Anticipated challenges and CS:MAP mitigation measures
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Maintaining and expanding the application of minimum standards in 14 CSOs was challenging. To mitigate this, CSOs are provided with regular support from CS:MAP directly and also through partner ISOs. In addition, multiple requests by CSOs for OCA assessments have strained ISO capacity to provide support due to limits on time and resources. To mitigate this, ISOs and CS:MAP are working on different modalities for conducting the OCA assessments, as well as managing time and schedules.
4. Activity Progress
4.1 Development and submission of deliverables
Narrative and Financial Reports:
Annual Progress Report #3 (October 1, 2017-September 30, 2018): CS:MAP submitted its third annual progress report to the USAID Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) on October 26, 2018. The team received comments and suggestions for improvement on November 16, 2018. The team submitted the revised version of the report with the comments and suggestions incorporated on November 30, 2018 and received approval from the AOR on December 7, 2018.
Financial Reports for Year 4: CS:MAP submitted its fourth quarterly financial report (SF425) for Year 3 on October 26, 2018 and its first quarterly financial report (SF 425-Annex 10) for Year 4 on January 30, 2019.
Short-Term Consultant Reports, Technical Briefs/Reports, Special and External Reports: In consultation with the AOR, and to ensure direct communications regarding consultants’ focus and findings, CS:MAP has convened a debriefing meeting with its AOR for all consultants who travel and work under CS:MAP at the end of their visit. The suggestions and recommendations from the AOR have also been incorporated into the deliverables. During the reporting period, CS:MAP GGB Expert Dr. Joseph Sany held his debriefing meeting with the AOR on December 6, 2018.
Monthly calendar and updates: On the final day of each month CS:MAP provided the AOR with a calendar for the upcoming month. In the same submission, CS:MAP shared updates on the previous month’s activities.
Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) submission: CS:MAP uploaded 22 documents, reports and knowledge products to the USAID DEC (https://dec.usaid.gov/dec/home/Default.aspx).
4.2 Progress achieved toward project objectives
Objective 1: Strengthened enabling environment for civil society and media
Result 1.1: Improved legal and policy framework, based on international standards, that leads to better operating environment and strengthened capacity for civil society
Activity 1.1.1: Implement advocacy action plans on regulatory reform issues on CSOs and media.
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Building on Year 2 activities involving regulatory framework assessments and stakeholder consultations that informed advocacy action planning, CS:MAP and its partners undertook the following advocacy efforts to improve the enabling environment for CSOs and media:
Activity 1.1.1.1 Law and policy review CS:MAP has reviewed three civil society and media-related laws and policies based on constitutional provisions, international standards and best practices. A policy brief of each policy document has been prepared and used to educate stakeholders about gaps and area of improvement.
CS:MAP partner ICNL undertook a comprehensive, yet rapid, review of Nepal’s draft 2018 Development Cooperation Policy. The draft Development Cooperation Policy (Policy) was drafted by the Ministry of Finance and would repeal the 2014 Foreign Aid Policy (also known as the 2014 Development Cooperation Policy). This review examined the draft policy in light of Nepal’s international legal obligations, international standards, and good regulatory practices related to the freedom of association and international principles of development cooperation. The Policy does not appear to adhere to international legal standards set out by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or Nepal’s international commitments regarding the freedom of association and CSOs’ right to participate in development. It would unduly restrict the role of NGOs; control access to foreign funding; impose additional administrative burdens for managing CSOs in Nepal; and require additional reporting requirement for national CSOs. The Policy also does not appear to reflect efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 16.10 and 17.17. This review is being used by AIN and NFN to advocate for a CSO-friendly 2018 Development Cooperation Policy. Development Cooperation Policy has impact on the resource mobilization for civil society in Nepal. Thus, CS:MAP partners interacted with Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders for better access to the foreign funding.
Provincial governments and parliaments are also working to introduce and pass different policies, laws and directives. These laws and policies are directly related to media operation at the provincial level. CS:MAP partner Freedom Forum reviewed two media policies/laws: the Media Management Bill of Province 3 and Communication Policy of Province 5. Proponents of the Media Management Bill of Province 3 claims that it protects and promotes freedom of opinion and expression, communication, and right to information, along with regulating media outlet operations. The review has identified that unclear definitions, burdensome reporting responsibilities, issues of content restriction, restrictive provisions on advertisement, lack of clarity on the scope of the bill and provisions on punishment must be revisited to avoid negative impact for media. Similarly, the Communication Policy of Province 5 is written in ambiguous manner. Some of the issues covered should fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Further, the policy is not adequately clear about provision of public service broadcasting at the province level; a pre-censorship provision is also mentioned. The review offered recommendations, including for changes to provisions respecting and protecting freedom of expression and press freedom. Additionally, the review note that the policy does not incorporate GESI considerations, or comment on advertisements on online platform and capacity
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development of journalists. These reviews have been used by FNJ and media leaders to call for changes to the draft bill and provincial government policies.
Activity 1.1.1.2 Disseminating/sharing of the policy review
CS:MAP has reviewed different policies and laws to educate stakeholders on constitutional values and international standards of the sector. The policy reviews and the policy briefs prepared by CS:MAP have been used by civil society and media coalitions and national advocacy partners for advocacy. CS:MAP organized nine formal and informal events and shared the policy review and policy briefs with stakeholders at the national and sub- national level. The sharing events were organized geographically due to the use and jurisdiction of the policies under review.
CS:MAP partner ICNL reviewed the draft 2018 Development Cooperation Policy and prepared a policy brief (Annex 6 A). The policy brief was shared with major stakeholders. The findings of the review were shared with the executive committee members of AIN on December 12, 2018 and with the civil society coalition on December 13, 2018. AIN developed a paper outlining their concerns based on the CS:MAP policy brief and submitted it to Ministry of Finance through the International Development Partners Group. Similarly, NFN organized a discussion among coalition members and representatives from the Ministry of Finance and highlighted key gaps in the draft 2018 Development Cooperation Policy 2018. A total of four discussion meetings were organized on the draft 2018 Development Cooperation Policy.
Similarly, Freedom Forum reviewed and prepared policy briefs on the Media Management Bill of Province 3 (Annex 6 B)and the Communication Policy of Province 5 (Annex 6 C). The policy briefs were shared with FNJ and the media coalition through a national media conference organized by FNJ in Biratnagar on December 20, 2018. The review of the Communication Policy of Province 5 was shared with journalists, parliamentarians, FNJ provincial leadership and the Chief Minister of Province 5. Three other formal events were held to disseminate the review, and it was shared informally with a broader audience. These events were also used to engage in strategic advocacy in hopes of amending the policies. The Chief Minister of Province 5 highly appreciated the policy review and committed to making any necessary changes in the policy based on the policy brief suggestions.
Activity 1.1.2: Policy dialogue and discussion with and among CSOs, media, political party, government and parliament
Activity 1.1.2.1: Dialogue and discussion on laws and policy related to CSOs and media
CS:MAP organized five dialogues and discussions with stakeholders such as political champions, GON officials, civil society leaders, advocates, lawyers, journalists, CSO champions, academicians, and intellectuals to raise awareness and educate them on civil society and media-related laws and policies at the federal and provincial level. The
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discussions primarily focused on laws and policies related to freedoms of association and expression.
Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC) organized a dialogue between civil society and parliamentarians of Province 2 on November 30, 2018 in Janakpur. The legal environment for CSOs was discussed in connection with the new bill drafted by the Nepal Law Commission concerning registration and the operation of social organizations. Discussions also focused on constitutional provisions for freedom of association and their alignment with international standards. Similarly, SAP Nepal organized an event with government officials, policy makers and leading political parties in Kathmandu on October 8, 2018. The event was used as a platform to lobby for a favorable environment for CSOs. Twenty- five participants, including five members of Parliament, were present. SAP Nepal also organized a discussion of major issues to be covered in the upcoming laws on registration and operation of social organization on October 30, 2018.
During this quarter NFN coordinated and collaborated with different constituencies including CSOs, government agencies, ministers, bureaucrats, members of the SWC and Nepal Law Commission, along with human rights defenders, social activists and civil society leaders to undertake observations regarding government formulation of new policies. On December 11, 2018, NFN’s newly-elected executive committee engaged with the SWC to discuss the draft Social Development Act 2075. SWC representatives and the AIN chairperson were present when NFN raised concerns about the draft bill and recommended changes in line with constitutional provisions and international standards and best practices.
FNJ organized its national convention on December 19-20, 2018 in Biratnagar with the goal of educating the FNJ leadership about different levels of the legal and policy environment, the policy apparatus of different governments, the legal status of press freedom and freedom of expression. The discussion focused on the current legal and policy environment for media in Nepal as compared to constitutional provisions for press freedom, provisions of international human rights instruments that Nepal is party to, and provisions of different laws and international practices of freedom of expression and press freedom. The discussion was guided by a presentation made by former FNJ President Taranath Dahal. Participants emphasized that the district and provincial-level leadership of FNJ need to be very attentive towards any new laws at their respective levels to ensure that they adhere to the principles of the Constitution of Nepal as well as international standards.
Activity 1.1.2.2: Interactions with political parties regarding civil society engagement
CS:MAP organized three interactions and meetings focusing at the provincial level to strengthen civil society and political party collaboration for an improved civil society enabling environment.
CS:MAP, in coordination with Karnali Foundation, organized a dialogue on “Fostering Civic Engagement in the Sub-national Policy-making Process” on November 30 and
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December 1, 2018 at Birendranagar, Surkhet. The event was attended by 75 people (23 female) representing different political parties, government, DCCs, CSOs, media, and academia. The Speaker of Karnali Province Raj Bahadur Shahi, Minister for Social Development Dala Rawal, Deputy Speaker Pushpa Gharti, and Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Naresh Bhandari were also present at the event. The objectives of the program were to educate stakeholders on the role of provincial and local governments in building enabling environments for civil society; and to enhance collaboration between governments and civil society in the policy-making process. The event was facilitated by constitutional expert Dr. Bipin Adhikari and civil society leader Subodh Raj Pyakurel. Participants also learned about the constitutional value placed on and international best practices related to CSOs, government and political party engagement and the civil society legal environment.
CS:MAP national advocacy partner SAP Nepal organized two provincial-level interactions with members of political parties, parliamentarians, CSO leaders and journalists in Hetauda and Butwal on November 25, 2018 and December 29, 2018, respectively. The interactions were focused on the upcoming law concerning the registration and operation of social organizations, and the role of political parties, members of Parliament and CSOs to improve the civil society enabling environment. Additionally, the role of CSOs in the changed context was discussed. Under Secretary of the Nepal Law Commission Rajendra Thapa, who is the member secretary of the taskforce which was drafting the new bill on the registration and operation of social organizations, was also present in both interactions. Through these interactions and one-on-one meetings, a civil society and political party engagement framework is being developed which will be finalized and shared with national and provincial parliamentarians and political parties in upcoming quarters.
Activity 1.1.3: Support to local governments to develop and implement civil society and media related laws
This activity was not in the plan for this reporting quarter.
Activity 1.1.4: Promotion of Open Government Partnership (OGP) concept at national and sub- national level
OGP ensures the value of civil society in governance processes where CSOs and government work with equal responsibility and status to reform governance, with the aim of promoting transparency, accountability and service delivery. CS:MAP has been working to promote OGP modalities at the local level, and advocating for OGP adoption at the federal level.
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Neelakantha Municipality has made a commitment to develop and implement Open Government Standards (OGP) standards. CS:MAP organized a discussion program on the OGP and its application at the local level on October 4, 2018 at Neelakantha Municipality, Dhading where the mayor, chief administrative officer, ward chairperson, executive members of the municipality, advisors and senior staff were present. The CS:MAP Legal and Policy Advisor presented on the concept of openness, and outlined a framework for the open government partnership along with OGP application, relevancy and importance in a municipality. Mayor Bhim Dhungana shared his plan to lead the municipality in applying different tools and principles of the OGP.
Similarly, CS:MAP partner Freedom Forum organized two events in Kathmandu. The first event was held on December 13, 2018 for 37 parliamentarians (seven female) including the Chairpersons of the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee Bharat Kumar Shah, Finance Committee Krishna Prasad Dahal, Delegated Legislation and Government Assurance Committee of the National Assembly Ram Narayan Bidari, Sustainable Development and Good Governance Committee of the National Assembly Tara Devi Bhatta, and National Communist Party leader and parliamentarian Yogesh Bhattarai. Chief Information Commissioner Krishna Hari Baskota and Executive Chief of Freedom Forum Taranath Dahal made separate presentations on open government and open parliament, respectively, to inform the discussion. The presentations highlighted that Nepal has already met the eligibility criteria on fiscal transparency, access to information, asset disclosure and citizen engagement that is required to be a part of OGP. The program concluded that adoption of the OGP by the GON is vital for strengthening international partnerships to open, transparent, accountable and participatory governance, and to bridging citizen gaps to demonstrate higher commitments for effective governance in the country.
The second event was organized on December 30, 2018 exclusively for civil society groups, with the theme: “Collaborative Advocacy and CSO Readiness for Open Government Partnership.” A total of 25 participants (four female) representing different CSOs and OGP champions and advocates discussed the efforts made so far to advance the OGP, and reinforced efforts to promote the OGP in Nepal. Participants decided to form a committee to support expansion of the OGP discussion to include the wider CSO community.
In addition, CS:MAP has drafted a handbook which will be used to educate stakeholders on the OGP, its principles, structure, working modality and Nepal's status. CS:MAP is also collaborating with USAID's Niti Sambad project and other national actors to broaden the community of OGP champions.
Activity 1.1.5: Improving electoral laws and policies
Based on a review of Nepal’s electoral legal framework, the National Election Observation Committee (NEOC) carried out three workshops on electoral reform on October 31, November 19 and November 22, 2018. The workshops were attended by parliamentarians, the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) and concerned stakeholders. These workshops primarily focused on review of the electoral process and electoral laws based on a report prepared by NEOC.
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NEOC’s working paper analyzed the current election-related legal, policy, administrative and institutional framework through the lenses of international benchmarks and suggested necessary amendments. At the workshops, presenters also gave a general outline of the legal issues and put forward recommendations to make future elections more credible, fair and peaceful. The stakeholders also discussed the formulation of inclusive policy, much needed for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and Asexual (LGBTIQA) community in Nepal; migrant voter registration issues; voting processes for citizens outside of the country; and GESI considerations for the current Parliament structure.
Event participants agreed that the GON should protect the voting rights of security personnel, deployed staff and observers. The participants included electoral experts, current and former parliamentarians, civil society leaders, human rights activists, academicians, researchers, Election Observation Coordination Group (EOCG) members and journalists. A total of 167 participants attended the three events. Speakers included former Chief Election Commissioners Bhoj Raj Pokharel and Nilkantha Upreti, NEOC’s Chairperson and former Chief Election Commissioner Surya Prasad Shrestha, Nepal Communist Party leader Khim Lal Devkota, and NEOC’s General Secretary Gopal Krishna Siwakoti. NEOC also presented its document reviews and recommendations to the ECN for further action. All three events were well covered in the national media.
Activity 1.1.6: Civil society and media coalition meetings
Civil society coalition lead NFN convened four civil society coalition meetings with different civil society leaders and actors to update the national advocacy plan for policy improvement and to develop a Civic Charter. On October 4, 2018, 20 participants (six female) gathered to draft the Civic Charter and form a task force group. On November 13, 2018 a second coalition meeting was organized with 12 representatives (three female) from federations, alliances and networks to finalize the draft Civic Charter. In the third coalition meeting, held on November 16, 2018, the drafting committee shared the draft Civic Charter after incorporating inputs and suggestions. At the meeting participants also decided to organize a wider consultation for sharing the draft Civic Charter before finalizing. In addition, a coalition meeting was held on November 25, 2018 to update the national advocacy plan. The participants included representatives from different federations and alliances, such as the Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal, Federation of Drinking Water and Sanitation Users Nepal, National Federation of Disabled, Nepal, National Association of Community Electricity Users Nepal, National Federation of Irrigation Water Users’ Association Nepal, Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal, and the Good Governance Foundation (GoGo Foundation), well as NFN's central executive members and NFN staff.
Similarly, FNJ organized a media coalition meeting on December 18, 2018 in Kathmandu to discuss new media laws drafted by provincial parliaments. The coalition agreed to work with political parties and the GON to ensure press freedom and a strong media enabling environment.
Activity 1.1.7: Capacity-building training
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CS:MAP, including implementing partner ICNL, organized meetings with leadership from project coalition leads FNJ and NFN in December 2018. The ICNL Legal and Policy Advisor, Zach Lampell, attended the meetings with national advocacy partners Freedom Forum and GoGo Foundation, along with two coalition leads. Additionally, CS:MAP interacted with the leadership of FNJ and NFN's provincial committees to assess the context and policy priorities.
The meetings were also used to conduct a needs assessment and identify areas where capacity strengthening was needed. Based on these interactions, CS:MAP finalized content for training resources that will be used during upcoming capacity building events. CS:MAP and ICNL developed an outline of two resource materials focused on FOE and FOA, and including philosophical understandings, constitutional provisions to protect civic freedoms, and relevant international standards and best practices. The materials will be distributed in a handbook format for use by FNJ and NFN provincial leadership, as well as CSO and media leaders who are working at the provincial and local levels. At the provincial level, the knowledge products can support policy advocacy and engagement with government to improve the civil society and media enabling environment.
Because the needs assessment required more time than anticipated, CS:MAP will conduct follow- up trainings in the second quarter. CS:MAP will collaborate with USAID’s Public Financial Management Support Project (PFMSP) to develop trainings and resources related to budget advocacy.
Activity 1.1.8: Regular technical assistance on policy work
CS:MAP partner ICNL’s expert visited Nepal in December 2018 and organized discussions with CS:MAP coalition leads and national advocacy partners. The discussions focused on the policy context, technical inputs and assistance for policy drafting, and analyzing draft policy documents from international standard and perspectives. ICNL focused on providing technical assistance to review and improve draft bills such as the NGO Registration Act and 2018 Development Cooperation Policy.
CS:MAP staff and implementing partner ICNL met with Joint Secretary of the Nepal Law Commission and member secretary of the NGO Registration Act drafting taskforce Rajendra Thapa and shared CS:MAP’s review of the legal and policy environment. The team also highlighted the international standards and best practice to manage CSOs in different countries. Similarly, CS:MAP and ICNL consulted with AIN regarding the draft 2018 Development Cooperation Policy and discussed the policy’s restriction of CSO access to foreign funding and potential implications. The CS:MAP review was shared with AIN and NFN to support their engagement with the Ministry of Finance.
Similarly, CS:MAP implementing partners NFN, SAP Nepal, GoGo Foundation and INSEC regularly engaged with the Nepal Law Commission and provided their inputs based on constitutional norms, international laws and best practice. Pre-consultation events were jointly organized in Kathmandu, Hetauda and Butwal by the Nepal Law Commission and CS:MAP partner SAP Nepal. NFN shared the minimum legal standards for CSOs with the Nepal Law
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Commission and advocated for necessary incorporation in upcoming laws being drafted by the Commission. Similarly, CS:MAP's partner Media Advocacy Group (MAG) and Samjhauta Nepal provided technical assistance on draft bills using a GESI perspectives.
The CS:MAP team interacted with the committee formed by the government to reform the SWC and promoted the use of an independent council to support CSOs’ work. Similarly, NFN and AIN provided rapid inputs on the draft Bill on Social Welfare and Development prepared by SWC. In addition, Freedom Forum and FNJ engaged with different provincial parliaments and governments regarding laws that affect media.
Result 1.2: Improved public understanding and confidence in the role of CSOs and media
Activity 1.2.1: Use of new media for promoting civil society
In the extended phase of the Public Outreach Campaign (POC), new media has been used to strengthen and promote the role of civil society. CS:MAP has planned a capacity-building activity for civil society focusing on new media is planned, and the social media campaign is continuing to promote public understanding of the role of civil society and media.
Activity 1.2.1.1: New media workshop
The New Media Workshop is tentatively scheduled for first week of March 2019, as per the Year 4 work plan. The workshop will help CS:MAP partners and other key civil society actors strengthen their skill and capacities in using social media as a tool to promote the activities of CS:MAP. In preparation, the CS:MAP POC partner has initiated research and consultations to develop content, drafted a program schedule including pre- and post- workshop questionnaires for the participants, identified participating CSO partners and begun to draft the first module.
Activity 1.2.1.2: Social media campaign
CS:MAP continues to use social media to promote project activities and products from the POC. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have been used for dissemination of information and messages and to promote viewers’ engagement on the issue. To increase views, likes, followers and audience engagement, CS:MAP has branded the campaign with the hashtag #MaNagarikSamaj; and posts and pictures of events and activities have been shared using the hashtag.
Short video clips of approximately 20-60 seconds have been produced and are being shared at two-three days intervals through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. These video clips are extracted from the video documentary. Each video clip has also been boosted to reach a wider audience. Social media monitoring shows that as of January 14, 2019 there are 7,266 Facebook page likes and the post has reached 132,684 individuals. As part of the
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#MaNagarikSamaj Campaign, CS:MAP also made a Facebook profile frame to mark International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, 2018. The profile frame was shared with the public two days ahead of International Anti-Corruption Day, and was used by the CS:MAP team as well as other Facebook users.
Activity 1.2.2: Local fair: get to know your CSOs
Four local fairs were organized in Quarter 1 of Year 4, during which information about civil society was distributed and interactions were scheduled with civil society, citizens, government officials and members of the private sector. In preparation for these fairs, event information was disseminated through local community FM and newspapers, and individual invitations were distributed to the Chief District Officer, District Police Office, CSOs and media representatives.
The fairs also included screenings of CS:MAP-produced video dramas, which audiences received appreciatively, as well as the four winning videos from the project-sponsored video contest. Clips from the video documentary were played throughout the event, along with songs with relevant thematic content. Audience members participated in an icebreaker activity, organizing colored cards with #MaNagarikSamaj themes in small groups of three-to-five people, which led to additional questions about the program and increased audience interest in the videos
Between video screenings, organizers provided information about civil society and media’s roles and contributions to communities, citing local examples. CSO and media representatives were recognized individually, and given the opportunity to describe their work and achievements. Members of the public were also able to share their perceptions about civil society in their communities, and about the program, and to ask questions.
Approximately 1,170 citizens, government officials, civil society actors and journalists participated and interacted in the fairs, organized in Surkhet, Kailali, Nuwakot and Dolakha in the first and the second week of October 2018. The events were organized in collaboration with CS:MAP local partners.
Activity 1.2.3: Study on civil society contribution
The CS:MAP study on civil society contributions will be initiated in Quarter 2 as per the Year 4 workplan. The request for proposals was published on December 12, 2018 in The Himalayan Times. It was also posted on www.jobsnepal.com and www.ixplore.info and the FHI 360 Nepal office’s notice board with the deadline for submission of 5:00 PM on January 7, 2019.
Activity 1.2.4: Training and technical support for public interest reporting
Although this activity was not scheduled to take place during Quarter 1, CS:MAP partner Freedom Forum conducted two five-day “Public Interesting Reporting” trainings in response to multiple requests from journalists. A total of 32 mid-career, working journalists (four female) from 14 earthquake-affected districts attended the trainings on November 17-21, 2018 in Sindhupalchok and December 16-20, 2018 in Nuwakot. The trainings focused on reconstruction and rehabilitation
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activities, including due process and effective mechanisms to ensure the flow of money and accountability, and whether public concern with gaps in reconstruction efforts has received sufficient media coverage. With this training, the journalists are expected to produce stories from 14 earthquake-affected districts. The trainings also included information about RTI, data journalism and PETS as public interest tools for journalism and opportunities for journalists to promote transparency in reconstruction work.
Of the 32 trained journalists, 12 received fellowships to write stories related to reconstruction and accountability. Journalists were selected based on the issues proposed and their plan to develop stories. A senior journalist experienced in investigative journalism was assigned to guide and mentor the fellows and facilitate publication of their stories. CS:MAP partner Freedom Forum has worked with the fellows to publish 46 public interest stories that depict post-earthquake conditions and issues with rehabilitation and reconstruction work. Freedom Forum also followed up with the journalists and other stakeholders to assess the stories’ impact, and determined that at least 10 stories have contributed to changes in responses to water crises, construction activities and grant payments to earthquake victims.
Activity 1.2.5: Proactive civil society initiatives to resolve social issues
During this quarter CS:MAP focused on two major social issues: corruption and GBV. To mark International Anti-corruption Day on December 9, CS:MAP organized a campaign with 13 different activities in 33 districts at the local, provincial and federal levels. Aimed at ending the practice of taking and giving bribes, and standing up against pervasive corruption in Nepal, the campaign mobilized citizen participation in addressing and controlling corruption, and encouraged elected local-, provincial-, and federal-level representatives to sign a pledge at public functions stating that they will not engage in any kind of corruption.
Campaign activities included: sharing of memoranda, signature collection, photo booths, lectures, dissemination of a Facebook profile picture frame, SMS My Voice – Mero Palika, Mero Chaso campaign, public service announcements; follow-up with signatories to last year’s pledge, printing and distribution of leaflets, meetings with parliamentarians, banner displays, production and broadcasting of anti-corruption views, interviews, issuance of press releases, and work with FM radios to play anti-corruption songs.
On December 9, 2018, GoGo Foundation along with national CSO leaders and advocacy partners shared a nine-point memorandum with the Prime Minister, Speaker, and Chair of State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the Legislature Parliament. The memorandum was intended to
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draw attention to the problem of corruption, and call on Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, Speaker Krishna B. Mahara, and Chair Shashi Shrestha to act.
Receiving the memorandum, Prime Minister Oli thanked all civil society leaders for their work against corruption, and said the GON had launched a series of anti-corruption activities from the central to the local level using the slogan "Ma Bhrashtachar Gardina, Hun Pani Dinna." He added that CSOs and government should work together for a corruption-free society.
Similarly, memoranda were handed over to mayors of municipalities and gaunpalikas, and high-level government officials from Gulmi, Rolpa, Nuwakot, Dang, Kathmandu, Banke, Bardiya, Rasuwa, Makawanpur, Arghakhanchi, Dadeldhura, Baitadi, Ramechhap, Lalitpur, Sindhuli, Dailekh, Pyuthan, Dolakha, Salyan and Rukum districts, among others.
This initiative emerged from last year’s civil society-led Ma Khaandina anti-corruption campaign. Ma Khaandina (I will not eat), refers metaphorically to “khaane” (the act of eating) to describe corruption in general and taking bribes in particular in the context of Nepal.
CS:MAP national and local partners played a catalytic role in organizing and leading the campaign in the districts. More than 1,630 people from 33 districts took a stand against corruption, including elected representatives and governments officials, private sector representatives, civil society actors, students and the general public.
Ma Bolchhu (I will speak up) campaign is a CS:MAP initiative which started on March 8, 2018. The campaign calls on communities to think, act and be gender-inclusive by promoting collective action and shared responsibility. The campaign promotes agency among individuals and groups who then advocate, increase activism and express solidarity for gender equality. This quarter, the campaign was continued during the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV. On November 23, 2018, a panel discussion was held in Kathmandu where prominent women leaders from different sectors shared their personal stories and struggles they faced because of their gender as they advanced respective fields. Actress and politician Karishma Manandhar was the keynote speaker. Guests speakers included Member of Federal Parliament Bimala BK, Rehabilitation Therapist at National Disable Fund; Devu Parajuli, Chairperson of Sancharika Samuha Nitu Pandit; and Member of the National Planning Commission Dr. Usha Jha; the speakers reflected on the issue of gender-based discrimination. Karishma Manandhar shared, “Voices of women have been muted ever so often in a society like ours. We need to start open discussions and dialogue to tackle the discrimination and violence women and girls face. Campaign like #MaBolchhu needs to reach the women and girls from rural communities whose voices have not been heard.” Similarly, Dr. Usha Jha shared, “the #metoo movement has given strength to many women to speak up against the violence they faced in their lives. However, until and unless we change the patriarchal values and attitude, we won’t
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be able to achieve any significant solution to tackle violence against women and girls.” The speakers and participants pledged to speak up against every form of GBV in their personal and professional lives and be ambassadors to end GBV.
CS:MAP also rebranded its popular #MaKhaandina Facebook page, established to address corruption, to promote the #MaBolchhu campaign. Depending on popularity and uptake, the #MaBolchhu Facebook page can be made to continue separately from the #MaKhaandina Facebook page. The Facebook page was supported by the Sajha Boli and Saathi Sanga Manka Kura radio broadcasts, audio public service announcement against GBV. The panel discussion held on November 23, 2018 was also covered live on the Ma Khaandina Facebook page.
Activity 1.2.6: Organize interactions to promote understanding on the role of CSOs
Thirty-three civil society interactions were organized by CS:MAP partners on different themes such as CSO’s engagement in local-level legislative processes, local government and civil society collaboration, the role of civil society in democratic governance, civil society challenges in the new federal context, and reinvigorating civic space in the changing context of Nepal. These district-level interactions on expanding civic space have helped CSOs understand their role of “civic vigilance” in strengthening democratic governance. Such discussions at district level have also contributed in improving collaboration/partnerships between local governments and civil society (NGOs, CBOs, media, academicians, lawyers, private sector, etc.) by bringing all of them in one single forum for discussion and interaction on public interest and policy issues. CS:MAP local partners organized 28 of the interactions and national advocacy partner INSEC organized five events in different districts. These interactions enhanced understanding of CSO roles, built CSO consensus on efforts to engage with government on priority issues, promoted CSOs’ role in the changed context, and promoted civil society engagement with local and provincial governments. Selected CSO champions facilitated these discussions and presented papers.
Activity 1.2.7: Media and civil society collaboration to advance public interest
Civil society coalition lead NFN, in collaboration with FNJ, organized an interaction on CSO and media collaboration with regard to freedoms of association and expression on November 25, 2018. The objective of the interaction was to foster collaboration between media and civil society for strengthening democracy and to build a shared understanding of policy advocacy to improve the civil society and media enabling environment. Thirty participants (12 female) from civil society and media organizations attended. Both civil society and media actors and stakeholders agreed that freedom of association and freedom of expression complement each other and are important for democracy. The meeting identified a few areas of collaboration and positions for further engagement. Some of the suggestions and recommendations from the meeting were included in
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the Civic Charter as a joint civil society and media commitment for democracy and sectoral improvement.
Activity 1.2.8: Assessment of public perception about media and CSOs
This activity will take place in Quarter 2, as per the Year 4 workplan. However, CS:MAP is in the process of selecting an organization to conduct the public perception survey as per the Request for Application (RFA) announcement made in September 2018. During this reporting period, the CS:MAP monitoring and evaluation (M&E) team led the process of reviewing research proposals submitted by the research organizations in response to the RFA published earlier. The identification of research organization is in its final stage; it is expected that the selected research organization will start working in Quarter 2 of FY 2019 after receiving approval from USAID/Nepal and obtaining an exemption from the Office of International Research Ethics.
Activity 1.2.9: Video production on citizen engagement and role of civil society
CS:MAP has planned to produce a video documentary on civic engagement in collaboration with the MOFAGA. This documentary will provide resource material to guide citizens, local governments and civil society on defined policies, procedures and the role of each stakeholder. A Request for Proposals (RFP), seeking proposals from organizations or consulting firms, was published in leading national dailies such Kantipur and The Himalayan Times on November 15, 2018. The RFP was also posted on www.jobsnepal.com and www.ixplore.info and FHI 360 Nepal office’s notice board with a deadline for submission of 5:00 PM on November 30, 2018. This video production will be completed, as per the Year 4 work plan, in Quarter 3.
Activity 1.2.10 Finalization, dissemination and adaption of civil society internal governance standards and media self-assessment tool kit
Fifteen civil society federations and alliances jointly endorsed the Civic Charter (Annex 7) as a binding document for the entire civil society sector in Nepal, containing provisions for human rights promotion, democracy and related commitments for internal governance strengthening. The Charter, along with nine commitments and agreements, was launched during the National Civil Society Conference held November 30-December 1, 2018. This document has been shared with more than 1,000 civil society and media organizations and disseminated through social media channels to inform citizens, civil society and government that civil society has taken steps for sectoral reform and established forward-looking priorities in response the changed context. (Please refer to Activity 1.3.3 for more information)
Result 1.3: Improved self-regulation of the sector and internal governance of CSOs and media
Activity 1.3.1: Implement minimum standards of CSOs’ internal governance and self-regulation
INSEC and NFN jointly organized a national-level workshop on the implementation of self- regulation and internal good governance of Nepali CSOs on December 27, 2018 in Kathmandu.
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This workshop was based on the draft minimum standard for CSOs’ internal governance and self- regulation developed by civil society coalition on Year e. There were 48 participants (14 female) in the workshop. Different CSOs shared best practices for and gaps in civil society self-regulation and internal governance. Further, participants emphasized that CSOs should immediately implement the self-regulatory framework in response to the changed legal context to increase sectoral legitimacy and credibility and reduce government pressure and excessive regulation. The CS:MAP civil society coalition has also consulted with AIN for their feedback on the standards’ content and implementation.
Although the implementation of the minimum standards was planned for this quarter, CS:MAP decided to postpone implementation until Quarter 2 following suggestions from CSOs to first finalize the Civic Charter and then finalize the standards in response to the Charter and government feedback.
Activity 1.3.2: Prepare ‘Sample Internal Governance Guidelines’ and circulate among CSOs
In consultation with the CS:MAP civil society coalition lead and in line with the draft minimum standards developed by the coalition, CS:MAP national advocacy partner GoGo Foundation has developed a sample internal governance guideline for CSOs in Nepal. This guideline includes internal governance policies and practices for CSOs including an anti-corruption policy, anti- harassment policy, code of conduct, and workforce diversity policy. The draft has been shared with AIN, NFN and other CSOs for their inputs. The guidelines incorporate inputs from AIN, civil society and government and will be shared with the wider civil society sector to support CSO capacity for developing and implementing internal governance policies.
Activity 1.3.3: Develop and implement civic charter for civil society sector as a means of self- regulation
In order to improve civil society credibility and demonstrate accountability to citizens, government, donors, and others, a Civic Charter was developed and launched during the National Civil Society Conference held on November 30-December 1, 2018. The Civic Charter is a joint civil society initiative that will assist with civil society self-regulation and balancing of rights and responsibilities. The Charter incorporates civil society commitments to democracy, governance, human rights and sectoral improvements. It was informed by a series of consultations with representatives from civil society networks, alliances and stakeholders, and includes a discussion of civil society values and roadmap to operationalize those values.
The Charter was developed by a drafting committee comprised of members from civil society federations, networks and alliances. This document has been shared with more than 1,000 civil society and media organizations and more than 120 organizations committed to implementing it. CS:MAP will support civil society organizations to develop specific governance standards based on the commitments made in the Charter, and both the coalition leads will monitor its implementation.
Activity 1.3.4: Roll-out of self-assessment toolkit and development of action plans
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This activity was not planned for this quarter.
Objective 2: Improved civil society and media capacity for effective policy advocacy and government engagement
Result 2.1: Strengthened CSO initiatives to coordinate with the GoN and to implement constructive advocacy strategies
Activity 2.1.1: Strengthen advocacy and government engagement capacity of 14 district-based CSOs and media organizations
Activity 2.1.1.1: Continue coaching ISOs in providing advocacy and government engagement capacity building (CB) to partner CSOs and media organizations
The CS:MAP Governance Advisor, Advocacy Expert, Capacity Building Manager and GESI Advisor, along with Equal Access, supported ISOs in strengthening their capacity in advocacy and government engagement so that they can effectively coach and mentor partner CSOs. CS:MAP also worked on prioritizing joint visits to the districts in need of more support. The CS:MAP team aligned their visit with ISOs to provide on-the-spot institutional governance coaching support (OCA IIPs, roll-out of minimum standards) and review and support CSOs’ advocacy plans and revisit advocacy strategies. ISOs visits were aligned with the Advocacy Expert’s visit to transfer advocacy skills to ISOs. This strategy helped to ensure that ISOs provided quality support to meet CSOs’ needs.
Because CARs did not effectively gather evidence to support advocacy activities due to limited capacity for evidence collection, interpretation and reporting, CS:MAP elected to provide training to district officers as well. ISO partner MITRA Samaj, in coordination with Equal Access and CS:MAP, conducted two three-day trainings of 67 individuals (33 district officers) in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj, respectively.
Activity 2.1.1.2: ISOs design and implement advocacy and government engagement coaching and training based on CSO and media organizations’ needs
Fourteen local CSO partners were supported by three ISOs (NEPAN, NNSWA and MITRA Samaj) through visits to 29 program districts to carry out activities outlined in CSO ARI capacity building plans. These included: carrying out evidence-based action research, collection of evidence for advocacy, and carrying out advocacy initiatives. Further support was provided to help CSOs apply minimum standards, to conduct interaction meetings to support a robust civil society at the district level, form Sajhedari Manch and deliver orientations on SA tools at the gaunpalika/municipality level. ISOs spent 142 days with CSOs, with an average of five days in each district. ISOs also provided distance coaching to an additional five districts to oversee action items agreed on during
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previous visits. The CS:MAP ISO partner focusing on GESI provided residential coaching to all CSOs to support use of a GESI lens in their advocacy activities.
With the support of ISOs, CSOs identified 102 advocacy issues, out of which 15 issues are already resolved and the 87 remaining issues are the focus of advocacy for the CSOs at the local level.
CS:MAP has scheduled public services oversight training for 34 CS:MAP district officers during Quarter 2. The process of developing checklists for public services oversight took longer than anticipated due to the necessary, rigorous consultation process the thematic experts outside the CS:MAP team. The health and education checklists are finalized and agriculture and disaster risk reduction (DRR) are still in draft form. The training will be held before the local-level planning process begins so that the district officers can orient the CA and LDAG members on areas of oversight and engage with them in the planning process.
Activity 2.1.1.3: Conduct refresher training/orientation or review meeting with selected ISOs on usage of Advocacy Readiness Index (ARI)
ISOs will work with CS:MAP to complete a third round of ARI assessments in Quarter 3 FY2019. The assessment was postponed, as the CSOs and ISOs requested for a complete gap of 12 months between the two assessments. Prior to the assessments the CS:MAP team will provide a refresher training for ISOs in Quarter 2 FY2019.
Activity 2.1.2: Strengthen ISO capacity on budget monitoring
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During the development of the Year 4 work plan, CS:MAP coordinated with USAID’s PFMSP and agreed to use PFMSP’s expertise to build ISO skills in the area of budget monitoring, which will then be transferred to the local CSOs. The CS:MAP team met internally, along with its Advocacy Expert and Governance Advisor, to prepare the outline for the training on budget advocacy. Because two projects could not find an available date in Quarter 1, CS:MAP decided to conduct this training in Quarter 2, coinciding with the local-level planning process.
Activity 2.1.3: Form Sajhedari Manch (Partnership Forums) and Common Assemblies (CAs) and conduct Sajhedari Manch and CA meetings
As recommended in the CS:MAP mid- term evaluation report, CS:MAP has identified opportunities for linking local-level CA discussions to the decision-making level, and has formed 53 Sajhedari Manch in local units through its partner CSOs.
Sajhedari Manch meetings have provided opportunities for civic engagement and interaction between citizens and elected representatives. Elected representatives in the local units have appreciated the concept of Sajhedari Manch and committed to use this structure to discuss service delivery issues from CAs that require policy-level interventions. Participants have discussed service delivery issues in health, education, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, among others. In the first quarter, 106 issues were discussed in Sajhedari Manch meetings.
Though planned in Quarter 1, the training for CS:MAP district officers could not be held as the checklist for the public services oversight took longer than anticipated. This affected the orientation for CAs and LDAGs as well. CS:MAP is planning to conduct the orientation in Quarter
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2. To fill this gap, CS:MAP has been providing support through mentoring and coaching to all these structures on as-needed basis.
Please refer to the chart for disaggregated information about issues raised, discussed and deliberated in CA meetings.
Discussions in CAs have resulted in actions to address issued raised by participants. Some of the results include:
Agriculture Health
CA participants in Banke discussed a goat epidemic A Health Post in Ramghat, Surkhet started regular which killed more than 1,500 goats in Duduwa distribution of free medicines, the birthing center is gaunpalika. After the discussion, Duduwa gaunpalika better managed, and mothers are receiving allowances sent test samples to a regional lab to identify the and regularly delivering babies at health post. Likhu problem and initiated appropriate action for treatment; gaunpalika, Nuwakot has begun providing a drinking water supply and public toilets. Triveni gaunpalika in A Gaunpalika in Rasuwa decided to take address Rolpa has agreed to collaborate with health posts to problems in agriculture subsidy distribution by organize free health checkup camps for students in identifying real farmers. community schools.
Education DRR
Community schools in Ghorahi Sub metropolitan in Preparation for a DRR plan initiated in Uttargaya Dang started to keep sanitary pads in schools; gaunpalika in Rasuwa; Manahara gaunpalika, Laligurans Secondary School in Ramghat-13, Surkhet, Makwanpur initiated the resettlement of 165 flood- has conducted a social audit and organized regular affected families in coordination with Parsa National parents’ meetings; the education unit of Sarumarani Park; banks started to disburse funds to earthquake- gaunpalika in Pyuthan has decided to monitor affected people in coordination with the National community schools to ensure that all schools have Reconstruction Authority (NRA) district office in
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separate toilets for boys and girls, and that structures Nuwakot and Dhading, and the respective wards are accessible for people with disabilities. decided to start monitoring such cases in the future.
Others
Help desk established in gaunpalika and municipality in Dhading and Surkhet; Market Management Committee in Rasuwa decided to oversee garbage management in Kalika gaunpalika in Rasuwa; Target group budget allocation initiated in Manahari gaunpalika, Makwanpur; Ward No 13 and 7 of Bheriganga municipality, Surkhet posted citizen charters; child marriage rates decreased after CA members in Ramghat, Surkhet jointly decided to socially boycott child marriages in their locality and stopped participating in child marriages.
Activity 2.1.4: Conduct Sajha Sabhas, or Public Forums
Two Sajha Sabha were held in this reporting period in Dang and Jajarkot districts. The platforms were used to share the discussion points and action plans from CAs. The table below contains a summary of issues raised and commitments made in the Sajha Sabhas:
Districts Issues raised and commitments made
Dang Poor management of government and high fees in private schools Ghorahi sub metropolitan city; inadequate budget for technical education for freed Kamlaharies and Kamaiyas; lack of agriculture and veterinary service center as per public demands and access of farmers; lack of agriculture equipment in Ghorahi sub metropolitan for improving the agriculture sector; lack of veterinary doctor in Ghorahi metropolitan; inadequate budget for agriculture subsidies like beehives, mushrooms, tomatoes, fishing and farmer-identified criteria; Lack of technical college in Ghorahi sub metropolitan; lack of gender friendly toilet in entire government school under Ghorahi sub metropolitan; and the need to ensure the use of social accountability mechanisms throughout wards of Ghorahi sub metropolitan.
The mayor of the Ghorahi Sub metropolitan city committed to address these issues by April 2019.
Jajarkot Health posts are difficult to reach, making it hard to bring patients for treatment; the head of the health unit of Cheda municipality committed to provide stretchers in each ward in the next two months;
Citizen charter not displayed in ward office and municipality; deputy mayor committed to display the charter by mid-February 2019;
Poor School Management Committee; irregular teachers in school and lack of proper time table in schools. The education head of the Municipality shared the School Management Committee is undergoing a reform process that will be completed by mid-February 2019.
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Unmanaged garbage in Saulibazaar; mayor committed to form Tole Development Committee and provide support for garbage management.
Activity 2.1.5: Coaching and mentoring to CA, PPWG/Sajhedari Manch and Sajha Sabha facilitators
ISO partners NEPAN, NNSWA and Mitra Samaj supported 34 CS:MAP district officers through regular coaching and mentoring to form Sajhedari Manch and carry out advocacy efforts in their program districts. As 34 district officers were trained in facilitation skills in FY 2018 by NNSWA, they are seeking ISO support on major events only.
During this reporting period, ISO NNSWA conducted facilitation skills training for 34 CARs in Kathmandu on December 14-15, 2018 and December 20-21, 2018 in Nepalgunj. CARs were trained using the theory of appreciative inquiry, with coaching on managing group dynamics. The CARs also participated in simulations involving meeting facilitation and conflict management.
Result 2.2: Improved coalition-building between local and national CSOs, and between CSOs and the media that leads to joint actions undertaken on selected policy priorities across sectors
Activity 2.2.1: Strengthen coalitions and networks to undertake joint advocacy actions on policy priorities across sectors
CS:MAP is taking the lead on developing checklists for public services oversight. This took longer than anticipated as the team had to consult with external experts as well. This delayed the planned orientation for HEAD coalition in the districts. However, CS:MAP has been providing continuous mentoring and coaching through its Advocacy Expert, ISOs and Governance Advisor to support the coalition and networks to undertake joint advocacy action on policy priorities.
A total of 34 district-level coalition meetings were held and took different actions to strengthen public services delivery and resources uses in coordination with the local government. The coalition meetings have focused on issues related to public services in health, education, agriculture and other areas. Following the discussions, HEAD coalitions in project districts have submitted memoranda, convened meetings with authorities, filed request letters and initiated joint actions for advocacy in the districts. Some of the examples of joint actions and issues discussed in the HEAD meetings are as follows.
District Issues discussed Initiated joint actions
Dang Challenges in implementing health insurance; • Coalition formed monitoring team participation of teachers and officers; lack of • Coalition started to conduct regular follow- adolescence health and maternity services; up related to freed Kamlaharies and lack of agriculture (crop insurance, seed treatment for sickle cell anemia distribution) services; lack of follow-up for • Coalition submitted a letter to the District Administration Office and Ghorahi sub
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freed Kamlaharies and sickle cell anemia metropolitan city requesting immediate patients. improvement in Kamlaharies’ scholarship policy
Dhading Lack of focus on target group budget • Head coalition submitted a copy meeting allocation and planning of local government; minutes and memorandum letter to impact on Dalit settlements in Neelakhantha Neelakantha Municipality asking for the Municipality, Dhading due to road relocation of Dalit settlement of 165 houses construction; non-disclosure of to reduce disaster risk information/non-compliance with RTI by • Coalition submitted memorandum to local GON offices; lack of animal slaughter Neelakantha municipality requesting a house and poor quality of meat sold in the separate animal slaughter house and joint municipality and district. monitoring of meat shops conducted by municipality and CSO representatives
Nuwakot Irregular health check-ups in community • Coalition members committed to support an schools; lack of civic participation in local- advocacy campaign for regular student level policy formulations check-ups • Coalition members submitted a request letter to four gaunpalikas in Nuwakot and Rasuwa to promote civic participation in the local- level planning process
Rolpa Eye checkup camp needed in community • Coalition decided to partner with the Eye schools in Rolpa Center and Red Cross in Rolpa to conduct a free eye checkup camp in 20 community schools
Rukum Lack of governance policy for local • The HEAD coalition in Rukum submitted governments memorandum to local governments requesting that they develop a governance policy
Gulmi Poor quality of health services at district • The HEAD coalition in Arghakhanchi hospital in Arghakhanchi and failure of the submitted a memorandum letter to the mayor district hospital in Sandhikharka to provide of Sandhikharkha Municipality requesting allowances to women receiving antenatal improvements in the quality of health services services at the district hospital and the provision of maternity allowances
Lalitpur Unavailability of free medicine in the health • The coalition will continue to discuss these post and widespread uterine prolapse issues and organize a delegation to visit diagnosed in the south belt of the districts relevant authorities for ongoing advocacy
In addition to district-level HEAD/CSO coalition meetings, ISO partner NNSWA conducted meetings with Dalit rights networks. A meeting with representatives from Surkhet, Dailekh,
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Jajarkot, Rolpa and Salyan was held in Butwal, Province 5 and a second meeting was held in Surkhet, Karnali province with representatives from Rupandehi, Banke, Bardiya, Kapilvastu, Dang, Pyuthan, Rukum, Arghakhanchi, Palpa and Gulmi. Participants discussed the need for policy advocacy for free higher and technical education for Dalit students, management of the safe settlement of landless Dalit community, GON services with 24 percent quotas for Dalits, increases in Dalits’ access to and control of forests, environment and climate change adaptation and protection, establishment of a provincial Dalit commission, etc. Participants at the meeting decided to provide a joint memorandum to federal, provincial and local government to advocate for Dalit rights and revision of Caste Discrimination Act 2068 in consultation with Dalit activists.
Activity 2.2.2: Support Shreejanshil Shakhas (innovation hubs) to serve as CSO-media collaboration hubs
Thirty-two Shreejanshil Shakhas are being used to increase marginalized communities’ access to information focused on public service delivery and resources, improve access to government services (citizen charter), and discuss local issues among local CSOs including CA and LDAG members. As the Shreejanshil Shakhas are located far from district headquarters and nearby CAs and LDAGs, they are also being used to examine the effectiveness of public services and resources use. People are using the internet to download and read government policies and provisions, rules and regulations, details about obtaining services from local government, etc. In some cases, youth and LDAG members are using the facility to access national news. During this reporting period, CS:MAP continued its support for the operation of Shreejanshil Shakha and also initiated the process of handing over the facilities to host organizations. However, the technical oversight of these Shakhas will be continued through CS:MAP local CSO partners until end of the project. Seven out of 32 Shakhas have been handed over to host institutions by signing handover notes. The host organizations were briefed about their roles and responsibilities to run the Shakhas beyond the life of the project.
Result 2.3: Improved CSO and media capacity to conduct participatory and evidence-based research on issues, policy, and enforcement in order to benefit marginalized groups
Activity 2.3.1: Media review of parliamentary activities
CS:MAP has initiated a study on the media review of parliamentary activities as per the Year 4 workplan. The review will shed light on the type of issues that take precedence in the parliament and the individuals that take the lead on particular cases. The study will also identify the individual lawmakers that are actively working to protect the rights of marginalized communities, and that want to preserve freedom of the press. After identifying those lawmakers, CS:MAP will work on further strategies to engage with to promote GESI efforts. Moreover, the study will also highlight the nature of committee formation in the Parliament, its working procedures and the issues that are brought up debate. This report will provide insight into the workings of the selected committees and shed light on effective lobbying on select issues.
Activity 2.3.2: Build research capacity for CSOs and media organizations
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To build research capacity for CSOs and CARs, CS:MAP partner Equal Access conducted three meetings with CS:MAP ISOs this quarter. With support from Equal Access, ISOs reviewed the PEAR toolkit and training manual which was prepared and used in Year 3 and developed a three- day PEAR refresher training.
With support from Equal Access ISOs NEPAN and NNSWA, MITRA Samaj conducted two refresher trainings in Kathmandu on December 11-13 and in Nepalgunj on December 17-19, 2018. A total of 67 participants (District Coordinators and CARs) were trained on the purpose of research, research planning and its processes, contextual knowledge of sub-national governance, conflict sensitivity, power dynamics, GESI sensitivity, and networking and collaboration. As a result, training participants improved their ability to use basic participatory research tools for generating information and evidence on their advocacy issues; the training also provided a common understanding among CSO partners of how such information and evidence can support policy advocacy efforts aimed at improving public resource use and service delivery. It also promoted a culture of sharing and learning among participants as they discussed the use of PEAR for advocacy, beyond the training.
Participants were trained in the use of various research tools such as community mapping, observation, interviews, and focus group discussions, as well as the media components of CS:MAP such as IVR, MeroReport, SMS My Voice, and Outcome Harvesting.
Activity 2.3.3: Organize study visit for media partners in Kathmandu for investigative journalism
CS:MAP partner Equal Access completed the selection process for the upcoming investigative journalism study visit for media professionals. A total of 12 journalists were selected from among 132 journalists who participated in the investigative journalism trainings and AMO trainings conducted in CS:MAP Years 2 and 3. The journalists were selected based on the merit of the stories they have published, thematic areas of reporting, location (earthquake-affected, CDCS priority areas), caste, ethnicity, gender, and the quality of blogs posted on MeroReport, through an assessment conducted using Google Forms. The event is going to be conducted in January 2019 in coordination with USAID’s Public Finance Management Strengthening Project to strengthen journalists’ capacity on the basics of budget analysis and advocacy.
Additional activities to enhance capacity of media at national and sub-national levels on advocacy and oversight and monitoring.
Activity 2.3.4: Mentoring and coaching to the trained journalists of Advocacy and Monitoring/Oversight (AMO) Training
Equal Access selected 25 journalists (eight females, six males from indigenous community and seven from Earthquake districts) to receive additional support out of 75 journalists who had been trained on AMO in Years 2 and 3. A set of questionnaires was used to gauge their interest and measure their capacity, progress, and their reporting on public interest issues via Google Forms. The selected journalists represent various media including online portals, print media, radio, television, and youth bloggers. Among them, 13 have been sharing their news/blogs in MeroReport
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regularly. Equal Access has been mentoring them on CS:MAP sectoral (HEAD) reporting, quality content, balance, and the importance and relevance of sources including quotes, photographs and other audio-visual material. Four of the journalists have been selected as winners in the monthly thematic blog-writing competition on MeroReprot and four have been selected for a week-long study and exposure visit that will be conducted in Kathmandu in Quarter 2, Year 4. A total of 123 blogs have been posted by the journalists selected for mentoring support.
Activity 2.3.5: Mentoring and coaching to Investigative Journalism (IJ) trained journalists and media professionals
CS:MAP partner Equal Access has been providing regular coaching and mentoring support to 30 media professionals who were trained on investigative journalism in Years 2 and 3. Equal Access has been continuously assessing their progress and capacity through Google Form questionnaires. Equal Access uses this assessment for the focus of the mentoring. In November, IJ-trained journalists expressed their capacity development expectations through one such assessment. In the upcoming quarter, Equal Access will formulate a more comprehensive strategy for carrying out mentoring support for selected trainees from both the AMO and IJ cohorts.
As a result of continuous mentoring support, many of the IJ-trained journalists have contributed blog articles in MeroReport. Among the 30 IJ-trained journalists, 25 are regularly writing blogs in MeroReport. During this reporting period they contributed 60 blogs (30 related to HEAD and GESI themes) to MeroReport. Their reports highlighted existing policy gaps in the health, agriculture, and education sectors or gaps in service delivery in the agriculture, health, and DRR sectors. IJ-trained journalists have also joined different groups on MeroReport and initiated discussions in the groups. Regular mentoring and coaching has also enhanced their capacity to write evidence- and data-based news in national dailies, online portals, and sub-national newspapers. The IJ-trained journalists are now engaged in print, electronic, or new media at the local level. Of the IJ-trained journalists who participated in the monthly blog-writing competition on MeroReport, one winner has been selected as a participant for the week-long study and exposure visit to be conducted in Quarter 2.
Activity 2.3.6: Public interest reporting training and fellowship
This activity was not in the plan for the reporting period.
Objective 3: More coordinated and effective civil society and media oversight of public resource use and public service delivery
Result 3.1: Improved capacity of local CSOs, media, and community-based organizations to monitor and report on cross-sectoral public service delivery, based on common standards applicable to each sector
Activity 3.1.1: Conduct second round of GGB in six gaunpalikas and one new gaunpalika in Kapilvastu
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A second round of the GGB will be organized in six gaunaplikas in Quarter. CS:MAP has selected Suddhodhan gaunpalika, Patariya-1, Kapilvastu for expanding the GGB. The first round of the GGB modeling workshop was organized in Kapilvastu in December with technical support from an international GGB expert from FHI 360 in Washington, DC. The workshop was attended by citizens, ward-chairs, the health post in-charge, assistant health workers and local politicians, among others. This multi-stakeholder workshop at a health post in Suddhodhan gaunpalika was effective in developing a draft GGB model to identify indicators. Other workshops that focus on setting reference values, collecting real data and preparing action plan will be organized in the next quarter.
Activity 3.1.2: Organize GGB Technical Monitoring Committee Meetings
A total of six GGB Technical Monitoring Committee meetings were organized during this reporting period. The technical monitoring committees in implementing gaunpalikas have met quarterly and followed up on GGB action plans, deadlines and responsibilities assigned to the participating stakeholders. See Results 3.1 above for information about progress and achievements from the GGB process.
Activity 3.1.3: Conduct research to generate evidence for advocacy
CS:MAP CSO partners have identified 102 advocacy issues in 34 districts (Please refer to Activity 2.1.1.2 for details). As of this quarter, 15 advocacy issues were resolved through collective advocacy efforts and campaigns initiated by HEAD/CSO coalitions. These coalitions have developed detailed advocacy plans and strategies for a total of 96 issues. By mobilizing CARs, CSOs have collected evidence to support advocacy related to 66 issues. Evidence related to 34 issues was collected last year while evidence related to 32 new issues was collected during this reporting period. The evidence generated from the field has also been used to develop advocacy materials and media content. Around 100 news reports and articles were published in local and national media as part of advocacy campaigns. CSO/HEAD coalitions in 34 districts have used the evidence to develop 32 request letters, memoranda and position papers to raise the issues with municipality/gaunpalika leaders.
Activity 3.1.4: Utilize online collaboration platform (MeroReport) to monitor and report on cross- cutting issues.
Regular review of and updates to the MeroReport platform have resulted in a significant increase in the numbers of participants utilizing the platform (see charts below). MeroReport is increasingly used as a common platform for reporting on CS:MAP activities undertaken at the sub-national level, and for sharing documents related to CS:MAP cross-sectoral priorities, the central and local versions of Sajha Boli radio programs, the CS:MAP newsletter, governance and advocacy-related resources, photographs related to public service oversight, videos, public service announcements, and CAR reports.
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This quarter, the platform has continued to gain momentum in terms of engagement and quality content. The monthly competition, initiated in Year 3, encouraged MeroReport members to write and publish quality articles, news pieces, and features on CS:MAP cross-sectoral priority issues. 55 articles were posted during this quarter in response to monthly competition themes including Agriculture (October), Education (November), and Youth (December). The winners were decided by an evaluation team based on five different indicators including Quality Content, Balance, Use of Sources, Use of In the context that the local- “The local level government have not been Quotes, and Use of Relevant Pictures level governments are able to effectively implement the in their writing. Likewise, AMO implementing development development programs in Nuwakot, as they trainees, IJ trainees and participants works through different have only been focused on the contracts for from the investigative journalism study projects, what sort of those programs.” programs have been and exposure visit are also contributing implemented by your local- - Salikram Chalise blogs, news, op-eds, and updates in level government for active MeroReport. participation of women and youth in the implementation To encourage articles that are more of such programs and projects? focused on CS:MAP priority sectors and themes, and to encourage interactive discussion in the MeroReport forums, as of this quarter MeroReport has started posting a bi-monthly discussion topic. An example of a discussion topic and a sample response are shown below:
So far, MeroReport has posted four discussion topics and the selected discussion topics have been posted to the GESI group, Journalism and Media group, and the Youth group. There are 12 such thematic groups (or forums) in MeroReport consisting of 348 members altogether.
There has been a significant increase in the number of people visiting MeroReport as compared to the previous year. In this quarter, there were 22,862 page views, which is almost 50 percent of the total page views from Year 3. Approximately 55 percent of the users reached the website through social networking sites while around 29 percent reached the site directly by typing the address in the browser; the rest were from search engines and referral links. The social media pages of the platform allow wider access among users, and this has been utilized for sharing featured of MeroReport content and for the cross-promotion of CS:MAP activities. As of this reporting period there are 1,772 fans (19 percent female) of the Facebook page and 3,664 followers (seven percent female) of the Twitter page. The majority of fans and social media page followers are youth
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between 25-34 years of age. The posts shared on the pages have reached 9,881 people among which 957 engaged directly by commenting, liking, reacting or sharing the post.
This Quarter, 101 new members joined MeroReport. As of December 31, 2018, MeroReport has 2,177 members. Analyzing the membership and blog posts made to MeroReport, it evident that youth are responsible for a significant audience share. Out of 442 blog posts made this quarter, 374 of them were posted by youth members. Likewise, the CRs posted 168 blogs, trained IJ and AMO journalists posted 208, and CSO representatives posted 44 blog articles (presented in the tree- map chart). Additionally, CARs have shared research findings on Mero Report.
To address corruption to Nepal and promote OGP principles, CS:MAP conducted events to distribute over anti-corruption memoranda to local-level government officials on International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9. Twenty articles were posted on MeroReport by CRs from 20 districts describing these events. Similarly, CS:MAP’s anti-corruption Facebook page “Ma Khaandina” was also used to post and share information about anti-corruption activities conducted during the activity period (December 7-9). These posts reached 4,164 people, of whom 412 engaged directly by commenting, liking, reacting or sharing posts. CS:MAP partner Equal Access continued to use trainings, field visit interactions, workshops and other CS:MAP forums to promote MeroReport with all project partners.
Activity 3.1.5: Support Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) in IT- friendly complaint handling mechanism
Commission of Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) launched a complaint handling mobile on December 9, 2018, coinciding with the International Anti-Corruption Day. After rounds of meetings with the CIAA and its IT team, SOCH Nepal received approval to develop the mobile app. The mobile app developed with the support of CS:MAP can be accessed through Play Store and operated without internet connection. This app will help citizens from 77 districts in filing complaints with CIAA and allow CIAA to get instant notifications, send automatic response to client, and use GPS location. As a result, CIAA will be able to monitor cases using images or videos to support claims. CS:MAP will assist CIAA in promoting the app throughout the nation and make it more user-friendly.
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Result 3.2: Improved bottom-up coordination between community, district, and national formal and informal CSOs engaged in public service oversight
Activity 3.2.1: Strengthen coalition and networks for public service oversight by conducting orientation to HEAD coalition/network on common standards/checklist for public service oversight
FHI 360 worked with subject matter experts, officials from respective ministries and ISO partners to draft a checklist of indicators/standards for effective oversight of public services delivery. Existing legislation, regulations, guidelines and policies were studied which served as a basis for developing the indicators/standards. CS:MAP is planning to train HEAD/CSO coalitions on these indicators in Quarter 2 FY 2019 which will help them in conducting public services oversight in health, education, agriculture and disaster risk reduction.
Activity 3.2.2: Organize coordination meetings of the HEAD coalition for oversight
Existing HEAD/CSO coalitions in project districts have organized 34 coordination meetings. These meetings were organized in regular intervals to improve coordination and collaboration among CSOs at the sub-national level. These meetings have also been instrumental in bringing together CSOs in a joint forum to discuss advocacy issues, identify areas for oversight functions and develop common positions on public interest issues. As a result, CSO/HEAD coalitions submitted 32 request letters, memoranda and position papers on public interest and advocacy issues to raise the issues with gaunpalika/municipality leaders.
The HEAD coalition in Rolpa discussed the issues with district health services and decided to ask the Eye Center and Red Cross to conduct free eye check-up camps in 20 community schools of Rolpa district. Similarly, the CSO coalition in Rukum district submitted a memorandum to local governments requesting that they develop government policies so that local governments meet minimum accountability and transparency standards in public service delivery. At the HEAD coalition meetings held in Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts, participants discussed issues such as polluted drinking water, an unmanaged dumping site in Dhobikhola in Rasuwa, increasing use of pesticides in agricultural products, the need for participation by marginalized and minority communities, and media and civil society in the local-level policy process, among others. The two coalitions focused on the status of and key progress on two major advocacy issues - regularizing social audit of community schools in Nuwakot, and the use of trees for housing purpose at the buffer zone of Langtang National Park in Rasuwa. The coalitions also formed sub-committees to be led by FNJ of Nuwakot and Rasuwa that are charged with leading advocacy campaigns and initiatives in the districts. Similarly, the HEAD coalition in Arghakhanchi district discussed the poor situation of health services and submitted a memorandum to the mayor of Sandhikharkha Municipality requesting improvements to the quality of health services in the district hospital and to provide maternity allowance for women receiving antenatal services after the district hospital failed to provide the allowances in previous months. Similarly, the HEAD coalition meeting in Gulmi drew the attention of local governments by submitting memoranda to ensure maximum transparency in development works and requesting to engage civil society in the legislative process.
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Activity 3.2.3: Conduct public service oversight through the HEAD/CSO coalition
Though CS:MAP planned to conduct oversight activities on a quarterly basis, the team decided to postpone pending the development of indicators to track progress and plan oversight initiatives. During the reporting period CS:MAP developed a draft checklist of indicators/standards in consultation with subject matter experts and other stakeholders. The checklists will be finalized with inputs from the experts and will be used by HEAD/CSO coalitions in their oversight work beginning in Quarter 2 FY 2019. Progress will be detailed in subsequent reports.
Activity 3.2.4: Identify three to five key civil society champions at district level
CS:MAP partners have identified 151 civil society champions (26 female) in 34 project districts.
These champions have been involved in facilitating and leading civic interactions and discussions at the district level. This approach has been effective in engaging, educating and empowering civil society at the district level, and for strengthening collaboration among civil society groups to reinforce civic space and promote democratic governance at the sub-national level. This approach has also deepened the knowledge of local influencers on matters of public interest and improved civil society vibrancy and relevance that the sub-national level.
Activity 3.2.5: Organize district-level interactions on vibrant civic space (role of civil society) and policy priority issues
To support a robust civil society and expand civic space at district level, CS:MAP partners organized 28 civil society interactions in different districts. The civil society discussions were led by selected CSO champions, and focused on issues such as CSOs’ engagement in legislative processes at the local level, local government and civil society collaboration, the role of civil society in democratic governance, civil society challenges in the new federal context, and reinvigorating civic space in the changing context of Nepal, among others.
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Human Rights Protection and Legal Service Center (HRPLSC) organized civil society interactions in Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan and Pyuthan districts. The interactions in Rolpa, Pyuthan and Salyan focused on expanding civic space in the changing socio-political context of Nepal. Similarly, Development Exchange Center (DEC) Nepal in Dhading and Makwanpur, Rural Women Development Center (RWDC) in Dang, IHRC in Banke, and Rural Development Society (IRDS) in Gulmi, among others, conducted district-level interactions focused on developing civic space to promote the role of CSOs in the changed context and promote civil society engagement with local and provincial governments. Samudayik Sarathi conducted an interaction on “Cooperation between Civil Society and Local Governments: Challenges and Opportunities” in Sindhupalchowk. Civil society activist and senior advocate Chandra Kumar Khatri presented a paper on the topic. Similarly, Community Development Center (CDC)-Nepal organized an interaction on “Civic Engagement in Local-level Policy Formulation Process” in Rasuwa. The interaction enhanced understanding ocf the role of civil society organizations among stakeholders and built consensus among CSOs attempting to raise issues with local government. Institute of Human Rights Communication Nepal (IHRICON) organized interactions on protecting civic space and advancing policy priorities in Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts. These interactions helped build consensus among the CSOs and other stakeholders on the importance of civil society working together for common issues, including policy advocacy. Both interactions focused on the role of civil society in improving CSO internal governance and of governance mechanisms as envisaged in the Constitution of Nepal. Two CSO champions, Prof. Kapil Shrestha and Dr. Netra Timsina, led the discussion. Media and representatives from the private sector, academia, legal fraternity, CSOs, elected representatives and government officials participated.
Activity 3.2.6: Conduct strategic coalition-building meetings between CSOs and media for initiating joint actions
The number of collaborative actions between CSOs and media in CS:MAP districts has increased. A total of 13 joint actions were initiated by CSOs and media to follow up on issues discussed in the civil society interactions mentioned in Activity 3.2.5. These joint actions included submission of letters of memorandum, delegations and meetings with local governments raise issues of public interest and discuss policy. Joint actions have focused on engaging civil society organizations in the law-making process, strengthening collaboration between local governments and CSOs in the district, reinvigorating civil society’s role in democratic governance, and improving public service delivery, among others. Civil society organizations in Gulmi worked with local governments to ensure maximum transparency in development works and engage civil society in the legislative process. Likewise, civil society representatives from 10 organizations handed over a request letter to the Rasuwa DCC to promote civic engagement and CSO partnerships for policy formulation, reform and promoting good governance. The Rasuwa DCC committed to coordinate with all local units and stakeholders to increase civic engagement in the policy-making process.
District Initiated joint actions Dang Ghorahi sub metropolitan city, Tulsipur sub metropolitan city and Dangisaan gaunpalika and a CSO representatives signed an agreement paper to develop civil society procedures
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Rasuwa 10 CSOs handed over a request letter to Rasuwa DCC, Rasuwa to promote civic engagement and government-civil society partnerships for policy formulation and good governance. The Rasuwa DCC chair committed to coordinate with all local units and stakeholders to increase civic space ror civic engagement on the policy-making process
Dhading CSO representatives decided to provide memoranda to all local units in the district to ensure civic participation in the local policy development process. Memoranda were drafted and will be handed over in next DCC meeting
Makwanpur A team led by NFN drafted a letter to all local units to ensure civic participation in the local planning process and shared planning process information with civil society and the public in advance
Banke A press release was published by civil society promoting governance in the district
Arghakhanch CSOs in Arghakhanchi submitted a memorandum letter to the mayor of Sandhikharkha Municipality i requesting improvements in the quality of health services of district hospitals and asking that women receiving antenatal services be provided with maternity after the hospital failed to do so for several months.
Gulmi CSOs in Gulmi raised issues with local government by submitting memoranda to ensure maximum transparency in development works and engage civil society in the legislative process
Nuwakot CSOs submitted a memorandum requesting monitoring and review of health, education, and agriculture-related policies and the incorporation of provisions for production-based agriculture insurance and regular health checkup of children in community schools
Rolpa The CSO coalition decided to partner with Eye Center and Red Cross in Rolpa to organize free eye checkup camps in 20 community schools
Rukum CSOs in Rukum submitted a memorandum to Triveni gaunpalika requesting the development of a governance policy
Activity 3.2.7: Hold Bi-annual Summits
This activity was not planned for this reporting period.
Result 3.3: Improved citizen awareness and use of available GON social accountability mechanisms
Activity 3.3.1: Conduct Orientation to citizens on Social Accountability Tools
CS:MAP conducted 16 orientations on SA tools for citizens and elected representatives at the gaunpalika/municipality level. Participants including CA members, LDAG members, representatives from local CSOs, elected representatives (chairs/vice-chairs, mayors/deputy mayors and ward chairpersons) gaunpalikas/municipalities were introduced to legal provisions for SA tools. They received an overview of the Public Hearing Guidelines-2067, Public Audit Guidelines-2067, Social Audit Guidelines-2067, Right to Information Act-2064 and Good Governance (Management and Operation) Act-2064.
Activity 3.3.2: Institutionalize and regularize gaunpalikas/municipality for organizing Social Audit and Public Hearing at a fixed venue
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Nine local governments in CS:MAP project districts sought CSOs’ technical support in organizing public hearings. Five of the CS:MAP local CSO partners provided support to conduct these public hearings, an example of increasing collaboration CS:MAP partners and local governments. CDC- Nepal provided technical support to Kalika gaunpalika to organize the first public hearings conducted by local governments in Rasuwa. During the public hearing, representatives from Kalika gaunpalika shared information about annual plans, budget, and allocations with citizens. Similarly, Chhatradev gaunpalika in Arghakhanchi district conducted a public hearing to publicize its programs and policies and seek public opinion for better performance. Participants in the public hearing expressed grievances related to poor participation of citizens in the local-level planning process, the lack of a grievance-handling mechanism at the ward office and poor public service delivery.
Ward offices 13 and 7 of Chedaghat municipality in Jajarkot also conducted public hearings. The public hearings focused on service delivery status and implementation of development projects in the first half of the fiscal year. Bheri municipality in Jarjarkot, Gulmidurbar municipality in Gulmi, Triveni gaunpalika in Rukum, and Ghorahi sub-metropolis in Dang also organized public hearings with technical support from CS:MAP partners. Nine public hearings conducted by local governments in CS:MAP districts focused on publicizing annual budgets, list of projects approved by local assemblies, implementation status of approved projects and service delivery situations.
Activity 3.3.3: Conduct Public Expenditure Tracking (PET) at the local level
During this quarter, CS:MAP partners conducted eight PETs focused on distribution of scholarships in community schools. DEC Nepal in Dhading conducted PETs related to distribution of scholarships to target groups. Similarly, IRDS in Arghakhanchi; Sanjeevani Nepal in Kanchanpur, Baitadi and Dadeldhura; SOCH in Okhaldhunga; IHRICON in Bhaktapur; and RWDC in Dang conducted PETs focused on scholarship amounts. The preliminary findings showed protracted delays in the distribution of scholarship amounts, that scholarship funds were note distributed proportionately to all eligible students and that a list of scholarship recipients was not posted on notice boards. CSOs are compiling and analyzing the information gathered through PETs and findings will be shared with head teachers, gaunpalika/municipality offices and other stakeholders in Quarter 2 FY 2019.
Activity 3.3.4: Conduct Community Score Card at the local level
CS:MAP partners are working with local governments to identify areas where community score card will be implemented. This social accountability tool will be carried out in 34 districts beginning in Quarter 2 FY 2019.
Activity 3.3.5: Conduct Social Audit of CSOs
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IRDC in Kapilvastu and SOCH Nepal in Kathmandu organized social audits in the first quarter. Administrative and program details such as target vs. achievements, and financial details including a list of projects being implemented by partners, were presented to multi-stakeholder groups including representatives from government offices, local governments, media, civil society organizations and beneficiaries, among others. The practice of CS:MAP partners conducting their own intuitional social audits has lent credibility and increased mutual accountability among CSOs and government agencies in the district. Many CS:MAP partners are planning to implement social audits in July (the end of the Nepali fiscal year).
IRDC completed its institutional social audit on November 2, 2018. To improve transparency and accountability through self-regulatory practices, IRDC conducted a social audit that aimed at assessing its overall institutional performance, with participation from a wide range of stakeholders including members of civil society and others. Major organizational achievements and contributions to social development, including progress and challenges faced in the previous year, were presented and discussed with beneficiaries and other stakeholders in the district.
SOCH Nepal organized a social audit on December 16, 2018 in Kathmandu in order to promote transparency and accountability within the organization. Member of Parliament Yagya Raj Sunuwar was the chief guest of the program. Major organizational achievements and contributions and challenges faced were presented and discussed with the beneficiaries and stakeholders. The stakeholders included representatives from Kageshori-Manohara municipality, Budhanilkantha municipality, government agencies, academicians, journalists, and CSO leaders.
Activity 3.3.6: Conduct Right to Information (RTI) Campaign
IHRC filed 20 RTI requests with local governments in Banke and Bardiya district. The RTI requests sought information on the implementation status of service provisions and how governments are providing designated services to citizens. A Public Interest Litigation was filed against Bardiya District Hospital because the unavailability of doctors and poor services compelled patients to look for better services in private hospitals and clinics. The RTI application revealed that only eight doctors were working at the hospital while there was quota for 14 medical doctors. At a hearing on the PIL, the district court in Bardiya asked the district hospital to maintain doctors as per the approved quota to ensure that every citizen enjoys his/her fundamental right to receive basic health services.
Activity 3.3.7: Radio programming to raise citizen awareness of social accountability mechanisms
Activity 3.3.7.1: Hold Content Advisory Group (CAG) meetings
CAG meetings were held in order to generate content for CS:MAP radio programs, drawing on discussions between participants from diverse professional backgrounds. In addition, these meetings allowed the production team to gather feedback on the radio program and engage with government stakeholders, journalists and civil society members. The central production team conducted one CAG meeting and the local production partners conducted 10 CAG meetings this quarter.
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During this quarter the central-level CAG meeting included participants from the MoFAGA, FHI 360, the deputy mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, CSOs, and national partners of CS:MAP. Among the total 16 participants (69 percent female), there were 10 participants belonging to Hill Brahmin/Chhetris, one hill mountain janajatis, four Newars and one Hill Dalits. The local level CAG meetings had a total of 116 participants (41 percent female) which included 30 government officials, 45 CSO participants, and 41 media personnel.
Based on discussions from the central CAG meeting, the production team selected six topics for this quarter. Each local production partner also conducted one CAG meeting, and they selected 60 topics. Local CAG discussions were understandably more reflective of their local contexts. Participants suggested placing a higher priority on GESI in content at both the central and local CAG meetings.
Some of the local CAG meetings were conducted in the offices of community groups like LDAGs, with participation from local representatives; government officers representing different sectoral priorities like health, education, agriculture and DRR; LDAGs members; and CA members. Thaha Sanchar, the CS:MAP production partner in Makwanpur district, conducted their CAG meeting at the Manahari gaunpalika with participation from the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Chief Administrative Officer, executive members and chiefs of thematic units like Health, Education, and Agriculture. Each local CAG meeting recommended a focus on women’s issues, an in particular the ongoing 16-days campaign against GBV. Additionally, the local CAG meetings selected issues like the roles and responsibilities of women representative at the local ward offices, the importance of inclusion in the formation of user's committees, and budget allocations for target groups, among others.
Activity 3.3.7.2: Conduct refresher training on local content production for Sajha Boli local production partners
A three-day refresher training was organized for radio program production partners of Sajha Boli in Nepalgunj from November 20-22, 2018. The objective of the training was to provide information on new radio formats like outdoor discussion sessions and call-in segments; to build capacity among radio producers on how to conduct Critical Listening Feedback Sessions (CLFS); and to enhance their technical skills of editing and mixing of radio programs.
During the trainings EA organized an outdoor session which was conducted at Duduwa gaunpalika-3 of Banke district in coordination with IHRC. The Vice Chairperson and executive members of Duduwa gaunpalika, police, lawyers, journalists, CSO representatives, LDAG members and students, among others, were present at the outdoor discussion session. They shared their views on the status of GBV and suggested measures to be taken to minimize it in their community. Based on this outdoor session, Krishnasar FM, a local partner of Sajha Boli radio program, produced a radio episode on GBV that was aired on December 2. All the producers conducted outdoor discussion sessions and
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produced a dedicated episode on “16 days of activism against GBV” that was aired on December 2.
A total of 10 producers (five female) from 10 radio stations and two community reporters (one female) participated in the training. The training has helped sub-national radio program producers take discussions out of the studio and into the communities, and to get community voices directly into radio program episodes. During the training, producers reviewed and reflected on the achievements and challenges they faced and developed action plans to address the challenges regarding coordination among CSOs, CARs, CRs, LDAGs, broadcasting radio partners and local media. They also identified mitigation measures to lessen challenges.
Activity 3.3.7.3: Carry out Sajha Boli program production, broadcast and audience interactivity
This quarter, a total of 76 Sajha Boli episodes were produced, six at the central level and the remaining 70 produced by 10 sub-national production partner radio stations. The six central-level episodes of Sajha Boli were produced and broadcast over 39 local FM radio partners, and over Radio Nepal to a nation-wide audience, for a total of 240 broadcasts. The 70 locally-produced Sajha Boli episodes were broadcast by 39 broadcast partners, with a total of 273 episodes produced locally. A total of 11 Sajha Boli radio episodes were organized and recorded as outdoor discussion sessions. The central production team conducted one outdoor discussion while the local production partners conducted the remaining 10 outdoor discussions, coinciding with the 16-days campaign against GBV. Likewise, 11 call-in radio programs were produced and broadcast this quarter. The central production team produced one call-in radio program during the International Anti-Corruption Day while the local production partners produced 10 call-in radio programs on various themes.
Sajha Boli (Central Version)
During this quarter, the central level episodes mostly focused on service delivery mechanisms at the local level, the roles and responsibilities of municipal executive members, target group programs and budget at the local level, and taxes as a form of local-level revenue generation. The
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program episodes also focused on the need to address corruption, highlighting the International Anti-Corruption Day and women’s empowerment, highlighting the 16-days campaign against GBV.
Sajha Boli (Local Version)
Local radio production partners produced a total of 70 Sajha Boli episodes this quarter. The topics covered by Sajha Boli local versions during this quarter include:
SN Themes of Sajha Boli (Local Version) 1. GBV and mitigation measures 2. Importance of an inclusive user's committee in implementing local-level plans and programs 3. Effective maternity service 4. Achievements and challenges of judicial committees 5. Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernization Program 6. Sample work done by the local-level in education 7. The working conditions of the Agricultural Knowledge Center 8. A review of the one-year tenure of elected female representatives, and related challenges and opportunities at the local level 9. Decentralization of the health structure 10. An attempt to increase the quality of education and related achievements 11. Civil code 2074 12. Uses of the citizen charter and its importance 13. Challenges in the implementation of agricultural plans at the local level and possible solutions 14. Implementation of plan, formation of user's committee and the importance of such plan and committees 15. Problems with medicine supplies and the role of local-level governments 16. Local-level plans for quality education and the role of civil society organizations and media 17. Law development at the local level and its impact on citizens 18. The status of free education, its effectiveness and initiation 19. Public access to and effectiveness of local-level health services 20. Budget allocations for sectoral programs at the local level, and their implementation 21. The role of women health volunteers in ensuring smooth health services at the local levels 22. Local-level plans, programs and resource allocation for differently-abled people and the status of implementation 23. Status of education property and records transfer at the local level 24. Elected local representatives: one year commitments vs. achievements 25. Role of the user's committee, elected representatives and chief administrative officer in implementing local-level plans 26. Role of media and civil society organizations for smooth implementation of the school security minimum package 27. The state of student health checkups in schools
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28. Practices of public hearing at the local level 29. Reconstruction status in earthquake-affected areas and the role of media and CSOs 30. Local-level agriculture plans and status of implementation 31. Service provision at the local level and the role of CSOs and media 32. Role of local-level government, CSOs and media in the delivery of quality education 33. The role local level government and related impact in the agricultural sector 34. Importance and status of women's representation in decision-making processes 35. Target group budget and its implementation
Outdoor discussions
Outdoor productions have been initiated this quarter as a means of increasing audience interactivity in program production. Outdoor productions are interactive and bring various stakeholders to one forum. During the reporting period these outdoor discussions served as forums for stakeholders to come and have open, yet facilitated, discussions on topics of public concern. These forums provided opportunities for citizens to pose questions to elected representatives or to government officials responsible for public service delivery.
Eleven (11) outdoor discussions were conducted this quarter, one facilitated by the central production team and 10 by local production partners. The local episodes focused on GBV, marking the 16-days campaign against GBV in November and December. Outdoor discussions were conducted at community centers, where chief, deputy chief, chief administrative officer, executive members, police, heads of sectoral line agencies, lawyers, representatives from CSOs, LDAG members, CA members, and journalists were present. These outdoor discussions also served as opportunities for improved communication and coordination among Sajha Boli producers and CS:MAP CSO partners.
Call-in radio programs
Call-in radio programs, another format that allows callers to pose questions to and seek answers from elected representatives, government officers, and related stakeholders, was initiated this quarter. Eleven call-in programs (one central and 11 local) were recorded during this quarter. The central production team produced one call-in episode, which included engagement with over 600 audience members through IVR. The call-in episode was built around International Anti- corruption Day and included participation by three experts - former chief of CIAA Surya Nath Upadhyay, Secretary of Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights Nepal Kumari Kharel and Editor-in-Chief of Annapurna Post Hari Bahadur Thapa.
Local production partners also produced 10 call-in episodes, one by each production partner, on issues included the civil code 2074, development of laws at the local level and their impact on citizens, and the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernization Program. Local-level officials and representatives from civil society organizations and media were panelists. Listeners had the opportunity to call in from various districts to ask questions related to local governance.
Critical Listening Feedback Session
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CS:MAP local production partners conducted 10 CLFS this quarter. The CLFSs were organized and conducted within local communities, and participants included local representatives, CA members, members of CSO networks, LDAG members, CARs, CRs, media representatives, and CSO representatives. The CLFS also served as platforms for coordination between local production partners and CSOs. All CS:MAP CSOs located within the 10 districts where local Sajha Boli episodes are produced provided support and coordination in the organization and implementation of CLFSs.
Audience interactivity
Outdoor discussion recordings, studio-based call-ins, quiz segments and songs were integrated into both the central and local versions of Sajha Boli to allow for increased audience interactivity. These segments have been found to be popular among audiences with the quiz segment from Sajha Boli Chautari generating the highest audience engagement numbers through IVR. Audience interactivity was also promoted through LDAGs, and efforts were made during this reporting quarter to reform inactive LDAGs. In addition to providing feedback on various segments through IVR, audiences also participated in polls and contests, and listened to informative audio clips. This quarter, Sajha Boli Chautari recorded 2,717 calls, with highest number of calls received for the last two episodes (519 calls for episode 52 and 648 calls for episode 53 in December 2018).
Production and Broadcast of Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
PSAs helped augment messages disseminated through the Sajha Boli and SSMK radio programs, and also to raise awareness about important events like the 16 days against GBV and International Anti-corruption Day. This quarter, a total of 26 PSAs were produced to provide information on addressing sexual violence, and to raise awareness on the needs of differently abled people and the need for public infrastructure to be built accordingly. Produced in nine different languages/dialects (Nepali, Magar, Newari, Awadhi, Tamang, Chepang, Sherpa, Tharu and Doteli), the PSAs were broadcast at least 16 times between December 10-20, 2018. The PSAs were also disseminated through the IVR and MeroReport platforms.
Activity 3.3.8: Listening, Discussion and Action Groups (LDAGs) to engage citizens in social accountability
LDAG assessment, status, and reform action: EA assessed 98 LDAGs through data collected via CRs. Based on indicators set for the assessment, these LDAGs were categorized as active, potential or inactive. Thirty-eight LDAGs were assessed as active, 26 as potential and 34 as inactive. Upon discussing LDAG assessment findings with FHI 360 in November, and as agreed at that meeting, follow-up meetings were conducted with three Kathmandu-based CS:MAP CSOs. These meetings were conducted in November in the presence of FHI 360 members who were responsible for monitoring the performance of these CSOs. The aim was to discuss and come up ideas and action plans for either reactivating, reforming or relocating inactive LDAGs. The CSO partners also conducted LDAG site visits to ascertain actual statuses as compared to the assessments, and actions and responsibilities were agreed accordingly. FHI 360 has communicated with all 14 CSO partners
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to take action for the reformation or relocation of 34 LDAGs identified as inactive by the end of January 2019.
EA documented and shared revised LDAG formation and management guidelines with CSO partners to ensure that new groups are formed or old groups are reformed or relocated in accordance with pre-determined criteria. The guidelines include information about the participation of young people, women and those from marginalized groups within LDAGs; the role of facilitators and members; and the role of CSOs during and beyond LDAG formation. EA also prepared a LDAG visit checklist as a monitoring tool for FHI 360 and EA staff making field visits to LDAGs.
Outreach coordination and communication: To ensure that LDAGs remain active as local civic groups, EA has processed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with partner CSOs to provide LDAG support costs in advance, rather than as reimbursement, as was done in the past. This change is intended to help LDAG facilitators and group members continue convening, to regularly discuss community issues and challenges, and to take some form of action to address any problems. All 14 CSOs have signed MOUs to this effect and payment is now becoming more regular and consistent. EA maintains regular communication with CSOs through phone calls, e-mails, and one- on-one meetings to discuss challenges related to LDAG reformation and functioning.
To increase EA’s interface with outreach actors and events, the organization’s Outreach Associate participated in the fifteenth CAG meeting organized by Krishnasar FM – Nepalgunj, in November. District-level stakeholders from local government, the agriculture office, health office, journalists, and CSOs participated in the CAG meeting. Ram Raj Tharu, Senior Auxiliary Health Worker at the EA’s Outreach Associate also participated in Primary Health Centre (PHC), Sorahawa appreciates the advocacy done by the CA to bring internet connection to the CA meeting at Bholagaudi in Badhaiyatal the PHC. Due to lack of internet connection it was gaunpalika-3 organized by CSO partner IHRC. difficult to fill out health insurance forms. This issue was CA members raised and discussed issues raised at the previous CA meeting and CA members related to school education, privatization in referred this issue to the public-private working group. education, health facilities, and health As a result, the ward office supplied internet connection to the PHC, and it is now possible for the PHC to fill out insurance. Joint visits to outreach sites with health insurance forms. CSO partner representatives have also strengthened outreach communication.
In December, the EA outreach team actively participated in the signature campaign and memorandum handover program organized by IHRC in Banke and Bardiya districts on International Anti-Corruption Day 2018. The outreach team worked with all CRs, asking them to actively participate in the campaign and post news on the Ma Khaandina Facebook page and on MeroReport.
Activity 3.3.9: Engage youth in social accountability
Three episodes of youth-targeted, CS:MAP-themed SSMK radio programs were produced and broadcast this quarter from Radio Nepal and 39 local radio partners. According to the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016, SSMK radio programs are listened to by 24 percent of the
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population of Nepal (22 percent female and 25 percent male) between 15-49 years of age. Apart from audience engagement and interactivity through IVR and Voice of Youth platforms, the SSMK team also engages with audiences through direct interactions aimed at discussing content and soliciting feedback.
SSMK radio programs produced this quarter focused on social accountability tools like project information boards and public audits, and violence against women and girls. These episodes informed young people about the type of data and information that need to be displayed on project information boards, and the mandatory requirement that project information boards be placed at project construction sites. It included interviews with government representatives from Bagnaskali Municipality of Palpa, Bidur Municipality of Nuwakot and Siddhicharan Municipality of Okhaldhunga to describe how local governments are practicing various social accountability tools. The episode dealing with violence against women and girls provided information on the 16 day’s campaign on GBV, the social consequences of such violence, and the roles that youth can play in addressing gender-based violence. Experiences of social activists from different districts were included in the episode. The third episode focused on public audits, their importance, and why users' committees need to carry out public audits to ensure the transparency and accountability of development projects. An interview with Parwati Sunuwar, Deputy Mayor of Fikkal gaunpalika, Sindhuli, emphasizes why young people should be concerned with tools like public audits.
Month Episode Issues IVR VOY Facebook Total % SMS
October 903 Social Accountability Tools at the 50 6 30 86 19.6% Local Level
November 907 Violence against Women 18 19 22 59 13.4%
December 911 Role of Adolescents and Youth in 67 5 111 183 41.7% Implementing Public Audits
Total 135 30 163 328 100.0%
Audience responses to SSMK episodes on CS:MAP themes
This quarter, three SSMK episodes received 328 responses via social media, IVR, and SMS, as shown in the table above. The nature of responses received demonstrate that youth are taking an interest in social accountability tools such as RTI, public audits, and planning information boards. In the next quarter, an IVR poll will be initiated to gauge how youth are using social accountability tools in their local communities.
Some representative feedback on SSMK
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“SSMK program is very popular among youth. It is helping youth in the development of life skills related to decision-making and problem solving. Thanks to SSMK for sharing information and knowledge on such skills.”
“After listening to the SSMK radio program, I published information on social accountability tools and local level budget on information boards; we are also broadcasting and publishing about public hearing events in newspapers and on radio.”
“To stop violence against women and girls, we should start with ourselves. Only then can we stop it. If youth and adolescents promise not carry out any kind of violence against women and girls, it can be stopped. If my sisters and mothers are facing any kind of violence, I will stop it. Let us not tease anyone, not behave rudely, and not discriminate against girls.”
- Kathmandu
“Our country remains undeveloped because of a few people. While elected representatives are settled in big buildings, normal people are compelled to travel abroad for jobs. While everyone speaks poorly of elected representatives and leaders, the same people salute them when they are face to face. How can our country develop in this manner? We need to develop the habit of asking questions of elected representatives. An FM radio station in my locality runs a radio program that provides the opportunity for common people to pose questions to their elected representatives. I have asked questions to make them accountable and responsive. I appreciate the good work that they do but also warn them if they are going on the wrong track. This is one way that we can practice social accountability in our local communities.”
- Urlabari, Morang
“To make local representatives accountable, we need to publish information regarding their activities on planning information boards. Similarly, we can conduct public hearings, public audits and information sharing from various media as well.”
- Som Gurung
“After listening to a recent SSMK episode, I realized that instead of blaming local political leaders and government representatives, we actually need to engage with them, talk to them, interact with them, understand what they are doing, and monitor how they utilize budgets for development work. If we conduct oversight from the beginning, then work cannot go wrong. Let us not criticize others but start to get involved in the oversight of public activities, as we are the consumers who will be benefitted by those activities and we need to be concerned. Let's praise good people and warn bad people to make them accountable and transparent.”
- Lokendra Kathayat
“In my understanding, public audit is a social accountability tool, where every detail of a project is presented. How it started? How it was done? Did user's committee face any kind of problems or
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not? How much budget was spent to complete the planned activities? One of the most important parts of public audit is whether all this information was presented in a transparent manner to local people, representatives, and media? So, it is everyone's responsibility to show concern and seek information from relevant persons about public audit after the completion of planned activities.”
- Amar Kulung Rai
“I got to know about public audit, thank you SSMK for that. I am currently working at Qatar and listen to your interaction on Facebook live. When I was in Nepal, road construction was completed in my locality. The Mothers Group has initiated to maintain cleanliness in our locality and has provided buckets as well to every household. They also organize monthly meetings to discuss a future plan and activities for local level development.”
- Saroj Sinjali, Nawalparasi
“Friends, currently I am abroad but when I was there in Nepal, a budget analysis report used to be presented if any social activities had happened in our locality by calling all the responsible people and local people. Because of that the budget wasn't misused. That's why public audit is one of the trusted social accountability tools to build trust among local people.”
- Newa Baucha
Result 3.4: Improved citizen engagement in media and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools to strengthen public participation and oversight
Activity 3.4.1: Conduct SMS My Voice campaigns
The SMV campaign for Year 4 was launched on December 8 to attract youth attention to local- level planning and budget development, allocation and utilization as a means of promoting accountability and transparency. EA continues to promote this campaign through the Sajha Boli and SSMK radio episodes and Facebook pages, and through CS:MAP outreach activities. A total of 416 youth participated in the campaign as of December 24, and initial responses to the campaign are positive.
Activity 3.4.2: Organize Public Service Delivery Photo exhibits
This activity was not in the plan during this reporting period.
Activity 3.4.3: Update online collaboration platform (MeroReport)
Please refer to Activity 3.1.4 for detailed reporting.
Activity 3.4.4: Orientation on Sajha Sabha Apps
Local CSOs are using the Sajha Sabha app to track the issues for discussion in CAs, Sajhedari Manch, and HEAD coalition/network meetings as well as in civil society interactions in the
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district. CS:MAP will provide additional support to introduce elected representatives and citizens to the Sajha Sabha app in Quarter 2 FY 2019, as reflected in the amended scopes of work of all CSOs.
Activity 3.4.5: Technical Support to open local units’ (municipality/gaunpalika) annual budget and plans to the public
This activity was not in the plan during this reporting period.
Objective 4: Strengthen organizational capacity and sustainability of CSOs working in USAID priority sectors to advance local solutions
Result 4.1: Improved institutional governance of selected CSOs and media organizations
Activity 4.1.1: Train and provide technical assistance and coaching to partner CSOs and media organizations
ISO partner NEPAN conducted a three-day training on governance and leadership for CSOs in order to strengthen CSO institutional governance. A total of 22 participants (four female) from 13 CSOs attended the training. Targeted participants for the training were chairpersons and executive directors of CSO partners.
The three-day training aimed to reflect major findings and address gaps identified in OCAs, focusing on understanding a CSO and its system, and CSO governance and the role of a board for effective organizational leadership. In addition, the training reviewed progress on OCA action plans and explored opportunities, including CSO principles and values and action plans to strengthen institutional governance.
The training also included participant reflections highlighting major achievements after two rounds of OCAs, and challenges faced by CSOs in applying their IIPs. The sessions were developed using findings from OCAs applied in 2017 and 2018. Major topics included understanding organizations, a systems-based approach to organizational functioning and development, CSO governance, board structures and selection processes, the roles of a board and management team, board development plans, the role of CSOs in the federal system and team effectiveness.
Training sessions were tailored according to the needs of CSOs and their leadership teams and facilitated using different adult learning principles and approaches such as games, case studies, assessments, reflection, presentations, and discussions followed by action planning. All CSOs prepared at least three workable action points in order to improve their institutional governance and leadership development. Participants committed to take their lessons learned and apply them back in their respective organizations.
The core leadership team has formed a loose network to address governance issues, and to release a press statement demanding civic space in the development process in which they can operate as accountable partners.
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In addition to the training, ISO partners NNSWA, NEPAN and MITRA Samaj conducted coaching and mentoring for 14 CSOs on OCA-IIP and provided support as the CSOs carried out activities outlined in their IIPs. The CS:MAP capacity building unit scheduled their visits to CSOs with ISO partners and provided oversight for ISO support to CSOs to strength institutional capacity building. Details of the coaching and mentoring are described in Activity 2.1.1.1 above.
Activity 4.1.2: Conduct annual organizational capacity assessments with partners organizations, and adjust IIPs
As the CSOs and ISOs requested for 12 months gap between the two capacity assessments, CS:MAP decided to conduct the next round of assessment in Quarter 3 FY 2019. CS:MAP will provide refresher training for ISOs on the OCA tool in Quarter 2 FY 2019 for preparation.
Result 4.2: Improved capacity of select CSOs and media organizations to mobilize social and financial resources for sustainability
Activity 4.2.1: Develop Financial Sustainability Plans
This activity was not in the plan during this reporting period.
Activity 4.2.2: Conduct bi-annual group trainings in financial sustainability
In Quarter 3 FY 2018 CSO partners completed CS:MAP financial revenue forms, which were then analyzed by ISO NEPAN. Based on the major findings, shared with the CS:MAP capacity building unit, CS:MAP conducted a training on financial sustainability and resources mobilization in Quarter 4 FY 2018. The training has helped CSOs improve their financial sustainability and resources mobilization capacity. As a result of the training, 13 CSOs prepared 40 project proposals (10 to local and provincial governments and 30 to international donors) in Quarter 1 FY 2019 and secured five new funding streams (two from local government).
Activity 4.2.3: Conduct open houses to expose CS:MAP partners to new donors
This activity was not in plan during this reporting period.
Result 4.3: Improved capacity of CSOs and media organizations to advance local solutions on priority development issues across sectors and to promote peer-learning opportunities
Activity 4.3.1: Train and provide TA to selected CSO and media partners to improve technical and organizational development capacities
The CS:MAP capacity building unit developed an orientation package on the market for capacity development services in consultation with ISOs, which they provided to three ISOs. The ISOs held meetings to share information about the OCA tool with non-CS:MAP CSOs in Dolakha, Nuwakot, Kanchanpur, Dang, Salyan, Banke and Kailali, all districts with active CS:MAP CSO partners. At the meetings, ISOs shared information about OCA best practices, the effectiveness of the OCA tool, the OCA facilitation process, major areas of assessments and post assessment plans. A total
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of 84 non-CS:MAP CSO representatives participated in the orientations and out of them, eight CSOs submitted requests to CS:MAP ISO partners to conduct their OCA assessments, for a fee. ISOs will conduct additional information meetings in the remaining seven CS:MAP districts in Quarter 2 FY 2019.
The CS:MAP capacity building unit also finalized the minimum standards for CSO internal governance, which includes participation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, consensus- oriented effectiveness and efficiency, accountability and strategic direction. The nine major areas include multiple indicators to guide CSO internal governance. The minimum standards for internal governance are being shared with board and key staff members from 13 CS:MAP local CSO partners. CSOs conducted a critical review and discussion of each indicator as they relate to their organizations, and the CSOs are rolling them out in their organizations. The remaining CSO (DEC Nepal) is scheduled to apply the minimum standards in Quarter 2 FY 2019. CSO partners have prepared action plans to achieve the remaining indicators, and ISOs will provide support as needed and provide CS:MAP with status updates.
Activity 4.3.2: Strengthen the local marketplace of capacity development services
This activity was not in plan during this reporting period.
Activity 4.3.3: Facilitate peer learning among partner CSOs and media organizations
This activity was not in plan during this reporting period.
5. Cross Cutting Interventions
5.1 Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
This quarter, CS:MAP reviewed the legal framework for CSO registration, operation, and renewal from a GESI angle. Most of the laws, including the legal framework for CSOs, are being revised to respond to the new Constitution, which strongly emphasizes GESI in all of its articles. CSOs need a GESI-friendly legal framework to ensure GESI considerations for registration, operation, and renewal. To support a GESI-friendly legal framework for CSOs, CS:MAP applied GESI lens to the Association Registration Act 2034, Social Development Bill, Legal Landscape Report on Civil Society Organizations of Nepal (developed by the GoGo Foundation), and Assessment of the Legal Environment for CSOs and Media in Nepal, which was carried out by ICNL to identify legal obstacles for CSO and media registration, renewal and operation. On December 28, 2018, an event was organized by Samjhauta Nepal and MAG to share the review with the coalitions and to collect recommendations for the review report. The national civil society coalition, led by NFN, came together with its Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kathmandu district chapters and the FNJ-led media coalition to discuss the report. Representatives from various media houses and civil society were also engaged in the discussion. The final recommendations will be handed over to the law development committee through the Prime Minister’s office in the next quarter. This will contribute to GESI integration while reviewing or developing new policy for CSOs’ registration, operation and renewal.
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In Year 3, CS:MAP disseminated the Checklist for GESI in Policy Analysis to parliamentarians, various committee members, influencers in the process of formulating new laws/policies and all 753 local units. The checklist is based on the Constitution and several international frameworks, including the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and is designed to assess laws and policies from a GESI perspective. The checklist analyzes the objectives, content, development process, and implementation approach of any given law or policy. This quarter, the GESI checklist was handed over to the Honorable Minister Tham Maya Thapa of the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens on November 13, 2018 and to Buddhi Bahadur Khadka, the Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, on October 26, 2018.
To contribute to 16 days of activism against GBV, the MAG together with Samjhauta Nepal conducted a storytelling program as a part of the ongoing #MaBolchhu campaign on November 23, 2018 in Kathmandu. Prominent women leaders from different sectors shared their personal stories and struggles they faced because of their gender while advancing in their respective fields. Ms. Karishma Manandhar, actress and politician, was the keynote speaker and Ms. Bimala BK, Member of Parliament; Ms. Devu Parajuli, Rehabilitation Therapist at National Disable Fund; Ms. Nitu Pandit-Chairperson of Sancharika Samuha; and Honorable Dr. Usha Jha, Member of the National Planning Commission, were guest speakers who shared their reflections on the issue of gender-based discrimination. Please refer to Activity 1.2.5 for details.
To ensure integration of GESI in the project’s advocacy efforts at the sub-national level, this quarter CS:MAP directed its capacity-building focus to identifying systematic ways to mainstream GESI in all advocacy efforts. CS:MAP ISO partner Shtrii Shakti conducted coaching and mentoring sessions for CA coordinators and LDAG facilitators covering all 34 districts, with sessions conducted in nine clusters in Mahendranagar, Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj, Surkhet, Dang, Butwal, Nuwakot and two consecutive clusters in Kathmandu. The main objective of this round of coaching and mentoring was to strengthen the partners’ and community management entities’ understanding of GESI in advocacy and public resource use and service delivery. CS:MAP has also worked closely with local CSO partners to ensure that GESI principles are strongly incorporated into all activities, including LDAG formation and mobilization, the composition and conduct of CAGs, CA sand Sajhedari Manch meetings, and the various trainings partners will deliver.
CS:MAP also incorporates GESI in its radio programs. Discussions on issues related to women, members of marginalized communities, and underrepresented groups are given a high priority in such activities. Radio programs this quarter covered topics on or related to GBV; stories of empowered women during the 16 day’s campaign against GBV; women's representation in decision-making processes; target group budget and its implementation; the role of women health volunteers for smooth health service delivery; the legal and service needs of differently-abled people; and the importance of inclusion within user’s committees that oversee local project implementation. Likewise, the radio programs included content on the importance of effective maternity services, and a review female elected representatives’ tenure, challenges and opportunities. Both Sajha Boli and SSMK dedicated episodes to women’s concerns during the 16 days’ campaign against gender-based violence. Apart from the radio program, the SMV campaign
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encouraged youth to advocate for budgets friendly to women and other target group needs. In order to ensure wider reach and coverage, EA supports production of radio programs and PSAs in multiple languages and dialects. This quarter, PSAs covered two themes – one on sexual violence for the 16 days against GBV campaign and the second advocating for public infrastructure that is friendly for differently-abled people for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Similarly, the inclusion of marginalized persons within content is always accorded a high priority.
5.2 Youth Engagement
Informing and engaging youths in public service oversight through radio programs
Three episodes of SSMK radio programs targeted to the youth audiences were produced and broadcasted this quarter. The first of the three episodes informed young people about the information that should be displayed on project information boards, and how project information boards are required to be placed at project construction sites. The second episode included interviews with government representatives from Bagnaskali Municipality of Palpa, Bidur Municipality of Nuwakot and Siddhicharan Municipality of Okhaldhunga to describe how local governments are applying various social accountability tools. The third episode focused on public audits and their importance, and why users' committees need to carry out public audits to ensure transparency and accountability of development projects. The interview with Parwati Sunuwar, Deputy Mayor of Fikkal gaunpalika, Sindhuli, describes why young people should be concerned with tools like public audits. A total of 269 responses from youth audiences were received for the two SSMK episodes that focused on youth and social accountability.
Similarly, Sajha Boli radio programs prioritized participation of youth in monitoring and oversight of public resources and public service delivery and other youth-related issues. Both these radio programs allowed youth to provide feedback on the content as well as to engage in discussions on these issues. This interactivity was ensured through the IVR and SMS platforms. Though not all youth who interacted with the programs provided their demographic information, it is encouraging to note that, among those that provided information about their age, the majority of them belonged to the 15-29 age range.
The SSMK and Sajha Boli team also ensured that, during their field visits, they met with youth in the communities and discussed their concerns. The team also encouraged youth to listen to the radio programs and participate in SMV campaigns for information about youth-related issues. As reported in earlier sections of this report, the radio program listeners have provided accounts of activities they have undertaken in their communities to make their local representatives more accountable and to secure their commitments to not indulge in any form of corruption. Similarly, LDAG members have been active in their communities and have acted as watchdogs in ensuring regular services from health posts, ward offices and other public offices. CRs located in the project districts have reported on such activities, which have also been posted through the MeroReport platform and have been included in CS:MAP newsletters.
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Building off of campaigns conducted in Years 2 and 3, the SMV campaign was launched this quarter; it is an anti-corruption campaign focused on the role of youth in budget analysis and oversight.
Youth in LDAGs
LDAGs are mobilized to ensure maximum youth participation in matters of community concern or interest. CS:MAP partner CSOs have been oriented and provided with guidelines to ensure the inclusion of youth and marginalized groups in LDAGs. Reports from LDAGs describe a large number of youth participants in activities such as monitoring visits to ward offices, community awareness programs, CAs and Sajha Sabha meetings. For example, the Dhuskun LDAG in Sindhupalchowk convinced ward officials and the ward chair to accompany them on a monitoring visit to a public school. After they found seven teachers absent, they sought commitment from the school management to ensure that teachers are present on a regular basis. Where possible, EA will ask LDAGs to follow up to ensure that reforms are sustained.
Youth engagement in MeroReport
As in the last quarter, a monthly competition was announced in MeroReport to encourage more meaningful participation of target audiences, including youth, on key CS:MAP thematic issues. Out of 55 blogs posted on various themes during this quarter, 83 percent were posted by youth members between 25 and 34 years of age. Among the different groups formed in MeroReport, there are 31 members in the youth group. Eleven blogs or articles were shared for the December MeroReport competition, the theme of which was “youth priority issues.” The articles highlighted priority issues such as infrastructure development, ending harmful social practices, combating violence against women, economic empowerment, ensuring government accountability, education, and agriculture.
Youth Participation in Training
EA is dedicated to ensuring that activities such as trainings and meetings include participation from youths. All of the 10 participants in the FM radio producers training were youth between 15- 29 years of age.
5.3 Use of Information, Communication, and Mobile Technologies
CS:MAP continued to use ICT tools such as the radio program series, the IVR platform, the Mero Report platform and social media platforms (Facebook), to assure participation of target audience in project activities, while also promoting these tools as a means for CS:MAP actors, media professionals, young people and other stakeholders to advance local-level advocacy and oversight. Furthermore, large numbers of young people were engaged and mobilized through SMV campaign (IVR and SMS) and MeroReport, and they used these platforms to share their experiences of engagement with government for oversight of local-level programs/budgets and their experience of using various social accountability tools. In addition, the MeroReport platform has also proved
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to be a valued public platform for sharing information and hosting discussions on priority issues among stakeholders, including media professionals, as envisioned by CS:MAP.
Along with the feedback collection and audience engagement for the radio program Sajha Boli, Sajha Boli Chautari and SMV campaign, EA continues to use the IVR platform as an assessment tool for monitoring the performance of CARs, CRs and LDAG facilitators and to solicit progress reports and updates on LDAG activities, outcome harvesting, and broadcast monitoring.
6. Coordination and Collaboration
During the reporting period, the CS:MAP team undertook coordination activities with various stakeholders:
Government of Nepal: Both civil society and media coalitions organized coordination meeting with provincial chief ministers and other sectoral ministers of all seven provinces. FNJ and FNJ leadership used the meetings to discuss amendments to several clauses of civil society- and media- related policies. They also requested consultation with civil society and media stakeholders before drafting relevant laws.
USAID implementers: CS:MAP has been collaborating with USAID's Niti Sambad Project and other national actors working to promote OGP principles and the adoption of OGP by the GON. Two meetings were organized in this quarter between Niti Sambad, CS:MAP and Accountability Lab during which participants discussed contemporary issues and development related to OGP.
Local civil society, media actors and local government: The civil society coalition coordinated with different constituencies of CSOs, human rights defenders, social activists, and civil society leaders to observe the Government’s formulation of new policies. NFN continuously tracked progress and consulted provincial ministries of social development to provide feedback and suggestions for finalizing the provincial Social Development Act. In Province 5, the NFN provincial committee had a consultation with the Social Development Minister and Advisor to draft the provincial Social Development Act and advocate for ensuring the right to freedom of association.
The CS:MAP team supported CSO partners to coordinate with other CSOs and civil society to promote civic engagement in a changed context and inspire CSOs at the district level. During visits with CSO partners, CS:MAP met with activists and discussed potential joint efforts at the district level. CSO partners coordinated with coalition members in the district to increase their understanding of the importance of advocacy, discuss joint efforts for CS:MAP CSO-led advocacy, and further scale up advocacy at the district level. Coordination efforts were visible during the Anti-Corruption Day Campaign and Violence Against Women Campaign.
CS:MAP partners prioritized taking a collaborative approach with local governments and elected representatives to implement social accountability tools. This collaboration and coordination eased the application of new SA tools such as the GGB, PETs, and CSC.
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Regular coordination and collaboration with local government has built trust with CS:MAP partners. because of which local governments are seeking expert services in facilitating public hearings organized by CSOs.
Government buy-in of CS:MAP-initiated structures like the Common Assembly was possible through constant engagement with local governments. Panauti municipality replicated the CA and has expressed a desire to expand it in all wards.
Monthly/Quarterly review and reflections: Please refer to Section 7 Monitoring and Evaluation for the details.
Monthly CS:MAP bulletin: As per the approved Year 4 work plan, CS:MAP released a monthly bulletin during the first week of every month for project partners and other stakeholders. The bulletin detailed stories and activities from the previous month and documented CS:MAP and partner successes.
7. Monitoring and Evaluation
Since the beginning, CS:MAP has ensured a robust monitoring system for all its activities using multiple tools, including: periodic progress review and reflection meetings, field visits, surveys, and orientation sessions about the CS:MAP database management system and its linkages with indicators. The system will provide continual feedback and technical support to CS:MAP partners. CS:MAP has also continued producing a Monthly Newsletter - a peer-learning document for distribution to partners, USAID/Nepal, and other relevant stakeholders - through an email list- serve. In the first quarter of Year 4, CS:MAP has maintained a strong monitoring system for effective program implementation and has captured learning for further improvements. During this quarter, major efforts were made to review research proposals submitted by several research organizations in response to the RFA announced in September 2018.
CS:MAP has undertaken the following MEL activities during this reporting period:
Capacity building related to MEL and CS:MAP Database Management System
To establish a mutual understanding on the key concepts of the MEL process in CS:MAP and to enhance and build expertise around participatory MEL and the database management system, the M&E team trained and oriented partners. During this reporting period, the CS:MAP M&E Manager visited Samudayik Sarathi and SOCH Nepal to provide technical support for the database management system. The M&E team also highlighted the database management system and activity progress made thus far by the CS:MAP partners during quarterly review and reflection meetings with ISOs and national advocacy partners. Overall objectives of these efforts were to help the partners understand the reporting timeframe and the alignment of activities with the project goal, expand their technical capacity to manage the database, and update the database periodically.
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In FY 2017, CS:MAP launched its database management system to track entire events and participants details. Following the launch, the CS:MAP M&E team provided technical orientation sessions through trainings, one-on-one meetings, and virtual platforms like telephone and Skype call meetings. This system is currently in an operational stage; as of this quarter, CS:MAP partners have entered 457 event details with 12,339 participants.
Conduct periodic field visits for data monitoring and field verification
During the on-site visits to Samudayik Sarathi and the SOCH Nepal office, the CS:MAP M&E team reviewed reported data on the database management system with partner records and documents on hand This activity was done to ensure data quality and was considered as a part of general Data Quality Assurance (DQA).
Conduct Data Quality Assurance (DQA) of CS:MAP partners
While visiting SOCH Nepal in December 2018, the CS:MAP M&E team implemented various aspects of DQA and has planned to conduct a general DQA of SOCH Nepal in January 2019.
Assessment of public perception about CSOs and media
To identify a local research firm to conduct a public perception survey to: 1) gauge public perceptions of civil society’s and media’s roles; 2) assess confidence in transparency, effectiveness, and governance; and 3) measure the extent to which women and minority groups feel civil society and media represent them, CS:MAP published a Request for Application (RFA) in national dailies and job web- portals in September 2018. CS:MAP also prepared RFA guidelines with information about public perception survey requirements, the objectives of the survey, and its linkages with CS:MAP indicators and results, eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria, budget ceiling, etc. Through this survey, CS:MAP plans to establish mid-term reference values for several of its indicators, including: 1) Percentage change in public understanding of the role of CSOs and media; 2) Percentage change in public confidence in the role of CSOs and media; and 3) Percentage change in GON stakeholder satisfaction with CSO and media self-regulation that will be compared with the baseline values set in FY 2017.
During this reporting period, the CS:MAP M&E team led the process of reviewing research proposals submitted by the research organizations in response to the RFA. The identification of research organizations is in its final stage and its expected that the selected research organization will start working in the second quarter of FY 2019 after getting approval from USAID/Nepal and being exempted from the Office of International Research Ethics (OIRE).
Conduct monthly/quarterly review and reflections
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CS:MAP has continued to conduct regular monthly and quarterly review meetings with its partners. Program leads from CS:MAP participated in monthly and quarterly reviews and reflection meetings conducted by the partners to see the differences that the activities and interventions have made on the ground and, if needed, make necessary changes for the upcoming month.
During these events, CS:MAP partners presented their progress, the plan for the upcoming month/quarter, implementation strategies, and the challenges that they have faced. Afterwards, CS:MAP team members provided feedback.
The CS:MAP team also held regular meetings with the USAID AOR/AAOR to keep USAID/Nepal updated on programmatic progress and to increase the effectiveness of activities.
Conduct bi-annual review/reflection workshops
This activity will be conducted in the upcoming quarter and will be reported accordingly.
Finance Management Training to Partners
During the reporting period, CS:MAP organized a two-day Partner Finance Management Training for 19 participants from 10 implementing partner organizations on December 18-19, 2018 in Nepalgunj. The objective of the workshop was to share knowledge and skills that implementing partners gained from CS:MAP for efficient fund management and to orientate to legal and donor compliance, importance of financial monitoring, and cost-sharing contribution among others. The workshop focused on ways to sharing ideas and experience; introduction of organization and what drives it; internal control; governance practices in NGOs; poor governance causes corruption and fraud; internal control and governance cycle, and discussed on contemporary issues on new labor laws, provision of Social Security Act, 2018, income tax provisions, Social Welfare Council requirement and its compliance in the context of NGOs in Nepal.
Facilitate peer learning among partner CSOs and media organizations
To facilitate peer learning among partner CSOs and media organizations, CS:MAP has used MeroReport, Facebook groups, bi-annual review meetings, bi-annual summits, CS:MAP monthly calendars, and the CS:MAP monthly newsletters. CS:MAP produced three issues of newsletters that were shared with all the partners through the email list-serve. These newsletters served as the platform for all partners to share their work, both internally among other CS:MAP partners and
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also among external stakeholders, and to highlight some key activities, events, and achievements from preceding months.
Further, the MeroReport platform has been utilized to improvise citizen engagement in media and ICT and to strengthen public participation and oversight. As mentioned above, it is considered as the platform for peer learning. he platform has witnessed good momentum in terms of engagement and quality content. Increasingly, MeroReport is being used as a common platform for reporting on CS:MAP activities undertaken at the sub-national level. Likewise, various documents related to CS:MAP cross-sectoral priorities, both central and local versions of Sajha Boli radio programs, the CS:MAP newsletter, governance and advocacy- related resources, photographs related to public service oversight, videos, public service announcements, and CAR reports are now regularly posted to MeroReport. This ensures that MeroReport is an online collaboration platform to monitor and report on cross-sectoral issues. CRs have documented and posted about activities like Sajhedari Manch formation (previously PPWG), LDAG activities, CA activities, and LDAG reformation.
In this quarter, there were 22,862 page views, which is almost 50 percent of the total page views of the previous year. 442 blogs were posted in MeroReport this quarter.
Conduct annual organizational capacity assessments with partners organizations
This activity will be conducted in subsequent quarters and will be reported accordingly.
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8. Activity Progress Summary
Please refer to Annex 11 for this.
9. Priorities for Quarter 2 (January 1-March 31, 2019)
● Prepare four policy briefs for civil society and media stakeholders to understand the strengths and weaknesses of proposed policies and draft bills; ● Hold five dialogues/discussions on laws and policy related to CSOs and media at the national and sub-national level; ● Hold three interactions with political parties regarding civil society engagement; ● Support local government to develop and implement civil society- and media-related laws and policies and conduct dialogues and discussions on laws and policy related to civil society and media; ● Promote the Open Government Partnership (OGP) concept at the national and subnational level and provide technical support to open local units’ annual budget and plans to the public, in coordination with the MOFAGA; ● Conduct 4-6 civil society and media coalition meetings along with capacity building training on legal and policy reform at the national and sub-national level; ● Conduct mid-term assessment about the perception of civil society and media and continue necessary activities to improve the perception of civil society and media such as production of video on citizen engagement and the role of civil society, and train 75 participants on new media and social media campaign; ● Finalize, disseminate and adapt civil society internal governance standards and media self- assessment tool kit and implement minimum standards of CSOs’ internal governance and self- regulation; ● Strengthen ISO capacity on budget monitoring; ● Conduct interaction in CS:MAP working districts to promote understanding on the role of CSOs; ● Conduct refresher trainings on OCA and ARI; ● Hold bi-annual summit to strengthen the linkages of coalitions and networks at the sub-national level with the national level; ● Conduct study to review the parliamentary activities; ● Conduct research to generate evidence for advocacy; ● Conduct public services oversight through HEAD coalition/networks; ● At least 8 CSOs work with local units to conduct PET, Community Score Card, Public and Social Audit and Public Hearings; ● Conduct 21 Content Advisory Group meetings to feed into 7 central and 60 local version of Sajha Boli and 3 episodes of SSMK.
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10. Success Stories
SUCCESS STORY 1:
Unlike central and local governments, provincial governments are engaged in rapid policy-making processes. Though the policy formulation process is speedy, it is not smooth, transparent, and participatory. Many policies do not consider the freedom of association and expression standards.
The provincial government of Provence 5 formulated the Mass Communication Policy in order to manage overall communication in the province. The provincial government also produced the Broadcasting Bill to regulate TV, radio, and other electronic media. CS:MAP partner Freedom Forum continually monitored the context and reviewed both the Broadcasting Bill and Mass Communication Policy and covered the issues confronting FOA and FOE for media and civil society through the lens of international standards, best practices, and constitutional rights. Both policies have many regressive provisions like program approval, provisions of frequency allotment without federal law, and labelling government agencies as broadcasting agencies. Freedom Forum shared the reviewed policies with stakeholders, held discussions, and provided preliminary comment to concerned stakeholders, including through wider dissemination among media. The review documents were also shared with policy officials and provincial parliamentarians of Province 5, including the Office of the Chief Minister and Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law as well as media stakeholders of the respective state. Following the submission of the review report, the Chief Minister Office asked the Internal Affairs Ministry Office to accommodate a provision that Freedom Forum suggested. Internal Affairs ministry officials called the officials of Freedom Forum to present the reviewed bill and revised the bill incorporating the advice before it was tabled in the Assembly. Freedom Forum also discussed the review documents with the Ministry of Internal Affairs officials, officials of the State Assembly secretariat and members of the state assembly and prepared an amendment note and recommendations for the Assembly members. Based on the amendment note, the bill has been redrafted and moved for further processing.
SUCCESS STORY 2: INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM FELLOW PREM BAHADUR RAMJA CONTRIBUTES IMPACTING STORIES
Prem Bahadur Ramja, of Babai gaunpalika-7 in Dang District is one of the 41 journalists who participated in the Investigative Journalism (IJ) training conducted by CS:MAP in Nepalgunj in April 2018. Following the training, he also participated in a study visit conducted by EAI in Kathmandu in August 2018. Based on the knowledge and skills he garnered from the training and the exposure visit, Prem started writing news on various social issues from Dang. Before joining the IJ training and study and exposure visit, he wrote news on normal everyday issues as they happened, with little awareness of the need to undertake Prem Bahadur Ramja in-depth and data-based reporting. After the training and the visit, Prem reports being more aware of the various news angles he can take on appropriate information revealed from in-depth investigation.
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For Prem and other participants of the IJ training, the study and exposure visit were opportunities to learn the basics of investigative study, including issue identification, evidence gathering, and report writing. During the training and exposure visit, the participants shared their individual action plans including their commitment to prepare news reports on community issues.
Prem is not new to the journalism sector. He has been involved in media for a decade with significant experience, including preparing event reports and news stories. However, he shared that it is only after attending the training and study visit that he realized the importance of angling, facts, data, and beat reporting.
After the investigative training, Prem was also selected for the study visit in Kathmandu under CS:MAP. As part of the visit, he had the opportunity to visit media houses in Kathmandu including Anne apurna Post Daily, The Himalayan Times, Nagarik Daily, Himal Khabarpatrika and Centre for Investigative Journalism Nepal. He learned about the detailed process of reporting research- based news, its writing, editing, and publication processes. Prem shareed his overall experience of the training and study visit in his own words below:
“I used to write normal news stories about everyday events such as development works, planned events and political news as they happen in the locality. The writing was just a kind of maintaining formality earlier. My reporting was very simple and only covered basic information such as when the event took place and where. Reporting was a kind of daily routine work which did not require investigation, inquiry and in-depth digging out of information. After attending the investigative journalism training and the study visit, I realized the importance of producing news reports based on data, fact and figures after having an in-depth study and observation. I realized the need of going deeper into the issues and uncovering stories behind the events. Both the training and the study visit opened my eyes for digging out information in depth and report accordingly.”
Back to the district after the study visit, Prem started writing in-depth news based on data, evidence, and legal provision. He did two stories—the first story was about the pathetic condition of Tharu mother tongue education in Dang district and the next story was about the number of patients suffering from sickle-cell anemia increasing in Dang. Both stories were published in Rapti Post Daily, a national daily that is published in Dang. Prem informed EA that his first story was also published in Shikshyak monthly. He said that the monthly magazine published his story because of the gravity of the issue he had raised in the news.
After the study visit, Prem has been writing data- and research-based news in Rapti Post Daily. He informed EA that he is contributing as least one story per week. Likewise, he is also running an online news portal www.babaikhabar.com. He is also the Dang district reporter for www.nepalipatra.com, and he is running a talk show called “Madhyapaschim Bahas” from Radio Mandyapaschim each day.
He published a news piece entitled "Rapti Health Science Foundation (RHSF) makes hefty hike to its services" in Rapti Post Daily on December 31, 2018. As part of the hike, a patient is required to pay NPR 100 for an OPD ticket compared to the previous rate of NPR 25, and NPR 200 for an emergency ticket compared to the earlier rate of NPR 25. Likewise, a single bed charge for a day
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is now NPR 220 against the old rate of NPR 30. Delivery of a newborn was previously free of cost but the hospital introduced a heavy charge for delivery cases as well. As per the new rate, a delivery patient has to pay NPR 12,000. Previously, the delivery patient used to get an allowance from the government after delivery was completed.
After Ram published the news, although it was not a byline report, three citizens - Madan Kumar Oli, Bijay Shrestha and Sudip Gautam - filed a writ petition at Tulsipur High Court on December 31 demanding an order to stop the price hike. The High Court on January 4, 2019 issued an interim order in the name of the RHSF and ordered it not to implement the price hike until a further order was made from the court.
Prem shares that despite being a challenging task, he is learning and enjoying the investigative study and news reporting. He feels that his journalism skills and knowledge have been enhanced after participating in the training and the study and exposure visit. He is actively engaged in this field and he has been recognized for his work by the community in informing people with investigative news.
11. Challenges and Mitigation Measures
The provincial and local governments are drafting the laws without incorporating the public’s concerns. Civil society and media actors face difficulties in tracking the law-making process through multiple tiers of government due to lack of information about timeframes for policy formulation. The government is often reluctant to disclose information through formal channels, and consequently, stakeholders are relying on informal channels and casual meetings with the provincial legislatures. In response, CSOs have intensified casual meetings with the provincial legislatures, and are planning for increased engagement with provincial bureaucrats to track the law formulation process.
CS:MAP envisioned a collective advocacy approach by CSOs in the district to address problems with public services delivery and resources use. However, CSOs’ priorities are different and often aligned with funding requirements. So, to encourage them and engage them in collective efforts, CS:MAP intensified its discussion with CSOs and their leadership on the role of CSOs in democratic governance, and also provided an orientation to public services oversight.
Political bias among Sajhedari Manch members presented a challenge to facilitating regular meetings and promoting an understanding of the importance of Sajhedari Manch among all elected representatives. To mitigate this, some civil society leaders who can mediate in those situations should be part of the Sajhedari Manch.
CS:MAP mandates Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in all project-supported structures and activities such as CAs, LDAGs, trainings, Content Advisory Group (CAG) meetings, and voice collection for radio programs. But, CS:MAP faced some challenges in delivering trainings to a diverse audience, despite publishing an open announcement for the trainings and promoting them widely. In some cases, there were no applicants from some districts. As a result, it was difficult to ensure a GESI balance while choosing from a small group of
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applicants. CS:MAP media partner, Equal Access (EA) will continue to work with local CSO partners and FM radio partners in ensuring GESI balance within project participants, for training or other activities. CS:MAP will also continue to provide ongoing GESI orientations to local partners, and producers from local FM radio stations have developed action plans to secure a GESI balance in CAG meetings.
12. Lessons Learned
Working through a set of civil society champions in the districts has helped energize civil society and engage stakeholders in governance oversight. If the capacity of these champions is strengthened and they are provided with reference/resource materials, they will drive civil society in the districts and engage with the government and citizens for better governance.
Formation of Sajhedari Manch at gaunpalika and municipal level helped in linking local-level issues directly with the decision makers in the federal system. The local structures now feel owned and heard, and are motivated to put in efforts for effective local-level planning and implementation with increased citizen engagement.
13. Annexes
Annex 1- Nine-point memorandum on corruption free society (Copy of Memorandum handed over to the Prime Minister) Annex 2- Proactive Disclosure Template Annex 3- List of 15 issues resolved by CS:MAP efforts in Oct-Dec 2018 Annex 4- List of Sajhedari Manch and TOR of Sajhedari Manch Annex 5- List of comprehensive investigative news/stories Annex 6 A- ICNL Analysis_Nepal Development Cooperation Policy Annex 6 B- State 3- Review_Media Management Bill Province Annex 6 C- State 5- Review_Provincial Communication Policy Annex 7- Civic Charter Annex 8- Sample Internal Governance Guideline Annex 9 (A and B)- Checklist and standards of Health and Education Annex10- CSMAP SF425 report_December 2018 Annex 11- CS:MAP QPR 1 Oct-Dec 2018 Activity Summary Matrix
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