Rural Self-Reliance Development Centre (Rsdc)

Introducti on of RSDC Introduction Rural Self-Reliance Development Center Goal (RSDC), a non-profi t making and non-gov- Help the rural poor in general and those from ernmental organization affi liated with the So- marginalized and deprived communities in cial Welfare Council, was registered in 1991 particular to assert their rights to development with the Kathmandu District Administration and usher in democratic governance through a Offi ce under the Social Organizations Reg- participatory process. istration Act 2034 BS (1977 AD). It has been promoting and implementing the idea of Objectives Swabalamban as a conceptual and program- Harnessing the latent capacity of the poor matic tool for catalyzing and revitalizing the households by helping them hope, aspirations as well as the capabilities of to organize themselves for solidarity, the poor and oppressed households over past self-esteem and self-confi dence, two decades. to respect each other’s social position and economic capacity in the community, Vision to mobilize and use whatever resources Develop, promote, enhance and strengthen available in the community for productive the social, economic, environmental and po- purposes, litical (governance) state of affairs for a con- to demand access to public resources and tinuous and progressive improvement in the services meant for them quality of the lives of the poor and oppressed to develop organize capacity of the poor sections of the population, viz, those who and vulnerable groups through communi- were left behind by the past developmental ty level self-help groups and federate them endeavors. under Swabalamban Cooperative for sustainable development Mission to develop local entrepreneurship for area To liberate the rural poor marginalized and specifi c marketable products and identify disadvantaged groups in communities from markets deprivation by implementing sustainable so- to develop community based methodology cio-economic development activities based for adaptation of disaster mitigation and on values of self-reliance and self-respect at climate change the grass roots. Rural Self-reliance Development Centre Annual Report 2014/2015, 2015/2016 . MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN Rajendra Dahal An eff ort to make the light of Swabalamban alive GENERALLY, hardworking is considered a source of revenue. Hence, "rent seeking as the bedrock for progress. This is true in culture" is developing as a national disease. many situations. However, it does not make In such adverse national and social sense for the progress of the poor and dis- context, Swabalamban development, which advantaged communities. They work hard seeks community development through throughout their life that barely generates the mobilization of local source, resources, enough returns for their daily subsistence. skill, group effort and benefi t sharing, is Economic progress, however, always re- not an easy job. However, in spite of such mains a far cry. Such instances make it clear unfavorable circumstances, RSDC has been that 'hard work' is not enough to move out able to carry on the concept with its avail- of the poverty trap. Several 'other aspects' able strength and expertise. Although such also have important roles to play. The other maiden effort cannot bring about a major aspects include, among others, awareness change, but it can, at least, keep the concept building of the target communities, group of sustainable development model alive. We effort, mutual cooperation, skill develop- may call it as 'saving seeds during famine'. ment and local resource mobilization. The main contribution for bearing the Sustainable development is possible light of Swbalamban concept goes to its only when benefi ciaries themselves start founder Dr. Devendra Raj Panday. He is mobilization of local resources with their still active to keep the light alive that he had own efforts. In Nepal's context, this truth started three decades ago. His tireless vig- was realized three decades ago. The col- ilance, effort and continuity have been the lective effort of community development source hope and inspiration for all workers through the mobilization of local sources, scattered throughout the country. resources and skills was named as Swa- The main objective of this publication balamban (self-reliant). Rural Self-reliance is to keep informed all its donors and well Development Centre (RSDC) was created wishers about its activities. But, more than to carry on the self-reliant development that, RSDC has to maintain a record of its movement. activities, expenditure and institutional Nowadays, almost all aspects of Nepali strength, for the days to come. life are infl uenced by the culture of con- Finally, I wish to thank all internal and sumerism and economic liberalism. The international donors for their continued profi t motive has affected not only trade support to RSDC. Also, I thank all who have and industry but also education, health, helped to make this publication. politics, development as well as the policies Thank you. and programs of the state. At one point of time rent and profi t seeking was considered 21 February 2017 as curse has now got social acceptance as Baluwatar, Kathmandu Introducti on Rural Self-reliance Development Centre frastructures, WASH etc. are implement- (RSDC) has been implementing its Swaba- ed through these IGGs. After completion lamban program over the last 25 years, with of the program, the IGGs of each VDC are the fi nancial support of several interna- federated and registered as Swabalamban tional donors. RSDC has its presence in cooperatives and handed over to commu- fi fteen districts that include Palpa, Rupan- nities for their continuation. There are 174 dehi, Kapilvastu, Banke, Surkhet, Dailekh, Swabalamban cooperatives providing ser- Kalikot, Makwanpur, Sarlahi, Dhanusha, vices to the communities. Likewise, RSDC Mahottari, Bardiya, Bajhang, Nuwakot has also promoted, along with Lumbini and Sindhupalchowk. Under Swabalam- Bank and like-minded individuals, RSDC ban, it is currently engaged with more than Lagubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. to provide 46,000 households in 174 Village Devel- wholesale lending to the cooperatives. opment Committees (VDCs) in a spirit of This annual report contains fi ve partnership and solidarity. ongoing programs in four districts The methodology for program imple- namely, Bajhang, Bardiya, Nuwakot and mentation is that it starts at the community Sindhupalchowk. Moreover, this report level with the formation of Income Gener- contains information of two Nepali fi scal ating Groups through social mobilization. years 2071/072 and 2072/073 (July 2014 Several activities relating to livelihood, in- to July 2016). . Section A Self reliant development for the poor by the poor programme (SDPPP) Rural Self-reliance Development Centre Annual Report 2014/2015, 2015/2016 8 Swabalamban . Rural Self-reliance Development Centre Annual Report 2014/2015, 2015/2016 here are 4 ongoing program activities in (IGG). Food sovereignty focused on aware- Agriculture exhibiti on in T3 districts. The Self-reliant Development ness building on balanced and nutritious Gadaraya VDC for the Poor by the Poor Programme (SDPPP) diet through traditional crops. Livelihood in Gadaraya VDC has focused on three major development focus on developing economic issues; food sovereignty, livelihoods and hu- activities at the community level. The human man rights, while the cross border project of rights module cover Dalit and women sensi- Bardiya district has focussed on strengthen- tization, child rights etc. The resilience of the ing fl ood resilience of communities in vulner- community is strengthened through the for- able areas of Karnali/Ghagra river in Bardiya mation of Income Generating Groups (IGG) district of Nepal and Barhaich and Barabanki which focuses on institution building and district of India. Another program in Bardiya saving and credit. The project was initiated district on Participatory Poverty Alleviation from Gadaraya VDC, which was implement- program has aimed at liberating the rural ed in collaboration with community and local poor and disadvantaged communities from government staffs. poverty and deprivation. Similarly, in Nu- With the encouraging experience in wakot the program has aimed at enhancing Gadaraya VDC, the program was expanded household level incomes of 1,658 impover- to other 5 VDCs of Channa belt to develop ished households. The progress of these pro- horticulture in fallow land. The target groups grams is given below. of the program are disadvantaged, marginalized, women and Dalits. The Gadaraya VDC i) Enhancing Food Security, Liveli- is prepared as model VDC of Bajhang District hoods, and Resilience of Communi- for SDPP program. With the experience of the ties of Channa belt, Bajhang District past, suggestions from the frontline agencies Since 2013, RSDC has been implementing working in the area and guidelines of devel- Self-reliant Development for the Poor by the opment partner agency, the program activi- Poor Programme (SDPPP) in Gadaraya VDC ties are implemented based on “learning by of Bajhang district with the fi nancial support doing” approach. The accomplishments of of Fastenopfer, the INGO from Switzerland. the project are as follows; The program focuses on three major issues; Build organizing capacity of the poor in food sovereignty, livelihoods and human which the following progress has been made rights, which are realized through social mo- In 6 VDCs, 65 Income generating groups bilization and capacity building

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