Annual Report April-March, 2018

Rural Environment Development Center (REDC) Dadeldhura

SUSASAN: Sustainable Use of Technology Public Center Accountability in Nepal Annual Report April-March, 2018

REDC/SUSASAN CECI Regional Office Amargadhi 5-Dadeldhura Amargadhi 5-Dadeldhura

Date of Submission:April 4, 2018

Acronyms

List of Acronyms Used HH Household

FGD Focus Group Discussion

KII Key Informants' interview

CSO Community Social Organization

DCSO District Community Social Organization

REDC Rural Environment Development Center

DCC District Coordination Committee

WMG Women and Marginalized Group

CECI Centre for International Studies and Cooperation

TH Techno-Hub

SUSASAN Sustainable Use of Technology for Public Sector Accountability in Nepal

Table of content

1. Executive Summary 1 I. Project Description and Context 2 a) Objective: 2 b) Working Area of the Project: 2 c) Beneficiaries of project: 3 d) Implementation Approach: 3 e) Rational: 3 II. Progress on Outcome Statements 4 III. Operations: 7 A. Progress on Activities Implementation 7 2. Citizen State Engagement 8 a. Data collection to serve as reference baseline on contextual situation 8 a.1 Baseline Survey 8 a.2 The Role of DCSO on Baseline Study 9 a.3 Baseline Survey as a Reference Document and it's Authentication 9 B. Development of training manual 9 C. Capacity of CSOs/NGOs and Community 10 D. Training to CSOs/NGOs have adopted policies 12 E. Development and use of awareness materials 14 F. Training on leadership and participation in democratic citizenry process 14 G. Advocacy campaigns and lobbying activities on position WMGs 14 3. Use of Integrated Technology by WMGs 15 a. Mapped and analyzed existing open data initiatives 15 b. Techno-Hubs Establishment in Local Structures 16 c. Physical facilities/infrastructures renovated 16 d. Innovative technological mechanisms 17 e. Appropriate mechanisms are in place for off-line users 17 f. Data collection on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice 18 g. Action-research executed on the social-economic impacts of 20 h. Training materials developed on use of integrated technologies 20 i. Training on the use of integrated 20 j. Public sensitization campaigns on the importance of participatory monitoring 20 4. Government Responsiveness 20 B. Environment Consideration 20 a. Development of Technological Platforms for the Use of Accountability Mechanisms 20 b. Technology-Based Information Gathering Mechanisms of Local Gov. 20 c. Local Government Agencies are Supported to Digitize, Update & Disclose Public Information 20 d. Training Sessions and Technical Backstopping to Local Gov. 21

C. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion 22

D. Coordination and Collaboration at a Local Level 22

E. Risk Strategy 23

F. Visibility 24

G. Monitoring and Evaluation 24

H. Management Activities, Issues and Adjustments 24

I. Major Constraints and Challenges 26

J. Major Lessons Learnt 26

K. Local Level Grievance Management 27

L. Suggestions to the project management for corrective measures 27

M. Financial Report 27

Annexes: 28

1. Executive summary

Sustainable Use of Technology for Public Sector Accountability in Nepal-SUSASAN project has been implementing at Amargadhi Municipality and Nawadurga Gaunpalika of Dadeldhura District through Rural Environment Development Center (REDC) Dadeldhura since 1st April, 2017. It is for four years (2017-2021) program launched in the partnership between the Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) and Rural Environment Development Center (REDC) Dadeldhura funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The Project seeks to close existing gaps between demand from non- Governmental organization, communities, citizens, and supply of government services using integrated technologies, with a focus a women and marginalized groups.

The project SUSASAN completed its one year activities at the local level. The project achieved most of its target except some exceptions. In the first year, the project collected the data through Baseline Survey, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) and Open Data Initiatives (ODI) as raw materials for the project using survey tools like Household Survey (HHS), Focus Group Discussion (FGD), and the Key Informant Interview (KII). The survey supported to dig out the situation and status of public service providing system of the local government and the service holders. The project collected the data of the 84 CSOs, verified it and selected the active CSOs prioritizing 20 as first and 10 CSOs as second priorities for the project mediatories. The project conducted some policy level capacity building and technical backstopping trainings for the local government and the community groups. It enhanced to promote the awareness for the local government and the CSOs about the civic participation in the process of governance, accountability and use of the modern technology. During the period, it also facilitated to formulate Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) policy of 7 CSOs at local level. The target of the GESI policy formulation during project period is 4 but the project facilitated to formulate the policy of extra 3 CSOs that helped to the CSOs to be GESI norms oriented. The project reached to 690 beneficiaries during the first year; among of them, female: 624 and WMGs: 520..

The project gone ahead through the agreement as 'Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)' with the local government. The major contents of the MOU agreement were renovation/set up and establishment of the Techno-Hub into the existing physical structure, data collection, digitization of the municipal budget, plan and programs and capacity building trainings. Keeping in mind the contents, the project coordinated and collaborated with the local government. The project collected the municipal annual plan, budget, and program, did the points of interest mapping at Amargadhi Nagarpalika as well as other necessary data information. Another, the project facilitated to Amargadhi Nagarpalika to set up the TH into its existing building. Now the TH is ready for its operation and remaining only an inauguration.

The project activities of the year challenged especially due to the local, provincial and national level of election, governmental process and lack of the human resources at the local level, and delayed in some extent for its effective implementation. The project successfully accomplished the activities through proper planning and continued frequently contact, coordination and collaboration with the local government and the community people to make the project activities more effective.

I. Project Description and Context Sustainable Use of Technology for Public Sector Accountability in Nepal (SUSASAN) project is a four years project. It has been implemented in Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika of Dadeldhura in the partnership between the Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) and Rural Environment Development Center (REDC) Dadeldhura funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The REDC as an implementing partner of SUSASAN project, it is playing action role of SUSASAN project. It has been working in and with two local governments of Dadeldhura; Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika for the SUSASAN project. In these locations, the REDC is in action for the project according to project partnership. The project seeks to close existing gaps between demand from non-governmental organization, communities, citizens, and supply of government services using integrated technologies, with a focus a women and marginalized groups. Specially, the project has been supporting to the local government and the citizens on capacity building through training, coaching and technical supports, developing and adapting of specific technological mechanisms and tools, establishing infrastructural technological facilities and implementing and awareness campaign in gender and social inclusion (GESI) and interested technology.

a. Objective • To increase empowerment of women and men, girls and boys and marginalized groups to engage in democratic process and enjoy and exercise their human rights.

b. Project Working Area: The project has been implemented in Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika of Dadeldhura district. There are 11 wards at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and 5 wards at Nawadurga Gaunpalika. The working areas were selected considering the availability of the project's target community like WMGs like women, dalit, janajati, persons having disabilities, single women and the marginalized communities. The headquarters of Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika as the municipal level techno-hubs and Amargadhi ward n. 10 Rai and Nawadurga Gaunpalika ward n. 3 Dandaban as the community level techno-hubs locations are specified. The map of the working areas of the Project is as below:

c. Beneficiaries of project: According to the project document, especially the women marginalized groups (WMGs) and marginalized groups were the key beneficiaries of the project that the project has focused in each activity from the initial phase of the project implementation process. The target is disaggregated in the percentage as 60% WMGs on which at least 80% women only and 60% participation from the targeted Nagarpalika or Gaunpalika. The total four years target of the project SUSASAN is 6667 participants and so that the first year target of the project is 555 participants. The project reached to 690 beneficiaries during the first year. Among of them, female: 624 and WMGs: 520. Especially, th project reached to 23 CSOs and included them in the each SUSASAN activities. As well as there are some other beneficiaries, can be mentioned as below: 1. Women, Marginalized Groups 5. Government Agencies

2. Rural Municipalities, Municipalities 6. Government Personnel

3. Communities 7. Policy Makers

4. NGOs, CSOs and Media 8. District Partners d. Implementation Approach Especially the project has the major objective to support to the government on strengthening the good governance through the use of modern technology. It focuses to the marginalized community people, their engagement in the government sectors and flow of the government information (online/offline) through the establishment of the techno-hub at the district and the community level. It includes the community level CSOs as a medium to flow the government information and utilize the technology. The project has expected the following outcomes as below:

• Increased on equal and inclusive participation of mainly women and marginalized groups in the democratic decision process through the technology. • Accountable and responsible government due to the increased use of technology by the women and the marginalized communities. • Increased in the accountability of the public sectors on the various necessities and rights of the women and marginalized communities through the modern technology. Thus, the project can support on a great reformation, development, and progress in the good governance sectors of the local level government through the implementation of the use of modern technology. e. Rational Nepal is in political restructuring process. Recently the state has been restructured into three levels as Federal, Province, and Local Level of state. In the context of the local level of state, there are newly elected government bodies who have been facing the lack of knowledge, human resources and use of technology. Due to the cause, the beneficiaries especially women and the marginalized community people have been highly affecting from the service providing system of the local government opposite to the citizen expectation. There has been weak status in engagement of citizen in citizenry process that has challenged the transparency and accountability of the local government in local level. That's why; there is a necessity of strengthening the existing structure, manpower, resources, programs, and effective implementation of the existing policies through the modern appropriate and integrated technology.

II. Progress on Outcome Statements

1100 The project SUSASAN accomplished major 4 activities under this. There were conducted the Baseline Survey as an initial event and used the tools for it like households survey, Key Informant Interview and focus group discussion. The events were the Baseline Survey, GESI policy formulation of the DCSOs/CSOs and training to the CSOs on SUSASAN school. The detail actual data about the target and achievement of the first year can show through the following chart:

SUSASAN Achievements on 1100 in 2017/018

Target Achievement

223 207 200

1 1 20 1 1 20 7 9 23 91 1 1 50 5 30 24 40

As the above chart, there are the variances between each target and the achievement of the project. The project had only the target of GESI policy formulation and training session of the SUSASAN School but the achievement is gradually 7 and 9. Likewise, there is clearly shown in chart the gradual variances between the target and the achievement. In the SUSASAN School training, 91 participants of the training have assigned their satisfaction of understanding more than 3 scale of level.

There were some challenges of local, province and the federal level of election and the farmer's working season during the project activity implementation process. Most of the CSOs have not legal registration, policies and guidelines. They have needed to build their 'Bidhan' and other necessary policies too. Often CSO members especially the WMGs are lacking the modern technology and have not any mobile and radio but they learnt about the importance of technology in the context of making the local government accountable. Another, the newly elected government bodies have felt the challenging factors to the CSO members who are become more known about the good governance through the project but unknown the elected representatives about their role and responsibilities, governmental policies, accountability and transparency. Therefore, there is the opportunity for the SUSASAN to fulfill the gap between the local government and citizens.

1200 The project conducted major three activities under this, the Open Data Initiatives (ODI) survey was especially about the condition of use of the open data and technology in the local level. The household survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview were major tools of the survey. Likewise, the Knowledge, Attitude & Practice Survey accomplished in the project areas. It supported to dig out the public interest, practice about the local government service delivery and citizens awareness about it. The total respondents of the ODI and KAP Survey were 186, female 58, WMGs 65 and youths 63.The detail of the participation of the respondents is mentioned here below: Project Progress in 1200

ODI Survey KAP Survey

40 39 35

23 25 24

Female WMGs Youths

The project has been including the WMGs participation in each activity of the project. And here in the above chart also clearly showed that there are maximum WMGs. The variances between the surveys as the WMGs participation are due to the variances in the target.

1321 The project conducted the Orientation Workshop on Local Government Operational Act, 2074 at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika separately. The targets of the workshop were especially the elected government bodies and the government officials. They were taught about their role, responsibility and rights at local level.

Youths, 20 Female, 17

WMGs, 21

There were total 52 participants among of them, 17 Female, 21 WMGs and 20 Youths participated are presented in the chart. The participants became aware about their role, responsibilities and rights at local level. The workshop was for one day and the participants had said that was not enough and requested to conduct the workshop again for detail information about the act.

A. Awareness and Capacity of CSOs to enhance WMGs participation in decision making processes using integrated technologies (1110)

1111 Baseline survey was conducted in Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika from May 28 to June 2, 2017. The project SUSASAN collected data and organized to serve as reference baseline on contextual situation. The details of the baseline survey, it's outputs and achievements were presented in the Inception Workshop at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika and a serious discussion was done among the participants on it. Finally, it validated from the workshop program. 1113 The project successfully accomplished a 3 day capacity building training about the citizen engagement in governance and accountability process from 14-16 March, 2018 in Dadeldhura. There were 23 CSO representative participants from Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika. Capacity of 23 CSOs and community enhanced on civic participation using integrated technologies. The interesting impact of the training was that the participants had asked the Communication Officer of Nawadurga Gaunpalika about the provision of RTI in the Constitution of Nepal coding the n. 27 of part 3; the fundamental rights and duties. The CSOs are become aware about the accountability, bedget, RTI, use of technology and can interact at local level about their rights related to the government services.

1114 The project facilitated to formulate the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy of the REDC organization. The organization had one page of GESI policy before the project facilitation on the policy. The policy will be endorsed in the general assembly of the organization for an approval and will be implemented although the organization has been followed the GESI norms in practice. Likewise, the project initiated to formulate GESI policy of other six CSOs and finally done it. The frequently interactive discussion on the GESI policy, the CSOs have become aware about it, taken the issue seriously and have committed to follow the policies related to the GESI after their general assembly. B. Awareness and capacity of WMGs to influence in local government decision- making processes using integrated technologies (1120)

N/A C. Access of CSOs, WMGs to integrated technologies facilitating the implementation of accountability and transparency mechanisms in local governance processes (1210)

1211 Mapped and analysed existing open data initiatives. The ODI Survey conducted in Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika from Feb. 6-11, 2018. It supported to dig out the situation of use of the open data in the government and citizen level. As the survey, the local government seemed in practice of mostly pdf version documents and the hard copies; and lack of well documentation. Another, the community level citizen seemed to not much aware about it, its importance although the open data initiatives supported to think to the citizens about it.

1212 The project succeeded to set up the techno-hub into the existing building of Amargadhi Nagarpalika to relay the information for sharing its daily information to its citizens. It has created a kind of impression, a new message, curiosity, expectation and interest on the elected bodies, staffs and community people.

1213 The project supported and existing physical facilities are renovated to establish the Techno Hub into Amargadhi Nagarpalika. Firstly, the environment assessment and design of the renovation planned and submitted, the necessary physical facilities provided and operated.

D. Capacities of citizens, especially WMGs to adapt and use integrated technologies to hold their local government accountable (1220)

1221 The project conducted the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) survey at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika from 17-21 Jan. 2018. The survey supported to find out the existing status of the local government and the community people on knowledge, attitude and practice.

E. Access of local government to integrated technologies to implement governance and accountability mechanisms provisioned in existing policies to better respond to the needs and rights of citizens, WMGs (1310)

N/A F. Capacity of local government to better respond to the needs and rights of citizens, WMGs, through integrated technology-based governance and accountability mechanisms (1320)

N/A III. Operations:

A. Progress on Activities Implementation The project SUSASAN was started since April, 2017 covering two project implementing areas as Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika of Dadeldhura district. Since then, the project team had has been utilizing its valuable time on the proper implementation of the project activities with a regular coordination and collaboration at local level. The team had accomplished certain activities during this period of first year which can be mentioned in annex with a brief summary along the target and the achievements.

2. Citizen State Engagement a. Data collection to serve as reference baseline on contextual situation (1111)

The orientation program regarding the baseline survey and finance was conducted by CECI/SUSASAN on 23-25th May, 2017 at Rato Gurans Resort, Kukulek, Dadeldhura. There were invited the CSOs representatives and enumerators from Achham, Bajhang, Dadeldhura and Kailai districts. Our REDC/SUSASAN team was also actively participated in the program. The three days training became very effective and fruitful to gain new knowledge regarding the baseline tools like HH, FGD and KII. And it enhanced and built up the financial capacity for the project's financial settlement.

Initially, the project conducted the baseline survey in Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika. When the project was going to implement the project SUSASAN activities, politically it was the transitional period. Most of the community people were engaged to visit door to door for collect the citizen's votes and sentiments in the second local level election. The Government of Nepal had fixed the date of the election for Aasadh 14, 2074 and the Election Commission of Nepal also had announced the election code of conduct till the process. Another, it was the rainy season and the farmers were busy on their fields that they were planting the crops and paddy in their farm. Aasadh 15 is the day of celebration of farmers in Nepal that the farmers celebrate the day eating the curd with flattened rice; and planting the paddy. In spite of these political situations, the team actively engaged to implement the tasks. a.1- Baseline Survey: Baseline survey is an initial part of the project. After the orientation program we accomplished the baseline survey at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika through the Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Key Informant Interviewee (KII) and Household Survey (HHS) methods. Two enumerators Mr. Birendra Shahi and Mr. Keshav Jaishi were hired to support on the baseline survey. The project target on baseline household was 60 and the project reached to 59 households. Among of them; 22 male, 37 female and 53 WMGs in total the following chart shows the target and achievement of the Baseline Survey:

Baseline Survey Respondents in Chart

Target Achievement Female WMGs

60 59 52

14 14 14 14 6 6 1 1

Household Survey Focus Group Discussion Key Informant Interview

a) Household Survey: The project had started the survey from 28th May-2nd June, 2017. The REDC/SUSASAN team along two enumerators was mobilized during the survey. The team reached on 30 households of Amargadhi Nagarpalika and 29 households of Nawadurga Gaunpalika. Especially, the team had focused the WMG, Dalit HH and person with disabilities and collected the data information through the door to door visit. b) FGD: The project conducted two FGDs in Nawadurga Gaunpalika and Amargadhi Nagarpalika, the project areas. The project team identified the marginalized groups as CAC, WCF, Child Club, Women Group, Dalit Women Network and Women Cooperative who participated in the FGD program conducted at Nawadurga Gaunpalika; CAC members were participated in the FGD program conducted at Amargadhi Nagarpalika 7 Pokhara, Dadeldhura. Definitely, the team found the expected information through the FGD tools format. During that event, the CECI Consultant Mrs. Duity Baral were also participated a day and directly observed the program. c) KII: Likewise, two KII events were accomplished at Nawadurga Gaunpalika dated 2nd June, 2017. Likewise, 4 KII events were accomplished at Amargadhi Nagarpalika. The project had taken the KII information from the key respondents of the Office of Amargadhi Nagarpalika, Radio Unity 92.2 MHz, Nepal Telecom, District Coordination Committee and; the Office of Nawadurga Gaunpalika and Ward Office of ward 2, Nawadurga, Dadeldhura. a.2- The role of DCSO on baseline study • Lead role to conduct the baseline survey • Mobilize to the enumerators to collect data properly • Communication and coordination with the community people and the government personnel • Monitoring, verification and evaluation of the data and finally validation of the baseline survey a.3 Baseline survey as a reference document and it's authentication The details of the baseline survey, it's outputs and achievements were presented in the Inception Workshop at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika and a serious discussion was done among the participants regarding the baseline survey. The participants committed to support the SUSASAN program at the district and the community level after knowing about the project and it's activities. They signed on program minute and authenticated owning the baseline survey which is an important reference document to foster the further activities. The minute copies are attached herewith. b. Development of training manual on the use of integrated technology to promote civic participation and available for CSOs (1112)

N/A

c. Capacity of CSOs/NGOs and community enhanced on civic participation using integrated technology (1113) c.1 Capacity building training about the Citizen Engagement in Good Governance and Accountability Process:

The REDC/SUSASAN team except Admin Finance Officer participated in the TOT training related to the good governance and the accountability conducted by the Freedom Forum from Feb. 26-Mar. 2, 2018 in Achham District. There were participated six districts of SUSASAN teams and CECI team along the CECI regional team of Province N. 7. There were taught about the governance, accountability, budget transparency, practically use of technology etc.

Returning from the TOT, the REDC/SUSASAN Dadeldhura successfully accomplished a 3 day capacity building training from 14-16 March, 2018 at New Hotel Mountain View Tuphandanda, Dadeldhura. There were 23 CSO representative participants from Amargadhi Municipality and Nawadurga Gaunpalika. Among of them, Female: 19, Male: 4, Dalit: 9 and Youths: 21. The SUSASAN team (DPC: Mrs. Menka Shahi, FCs: Mr. Hikmat Singh, Mr. Deepak Bohara) facilitated the three days training along the REDC representative or the Senior Vice-Chairperson Mr. Ganesh Kathayat. The SUSASAN AFO Miss Sabitri Shahi had supported on management of the training.

In the final day of the training, there were major representative guests as Mr. Jonathan De Luca, the CECI Program Officer from Canada, Mr. Mahendra Shahi, the CECI Regional Coordinator of Province N. 7, Mr. Karunakar Bhatta, the Information Officer of Nawadurga Gaunpalika and Mr. Bishweswor Prasad Ojha, the Mayer of Amargadhi Municipality. The Information Officer Mr. Bhatta clarified about the Rights to Information (RTI), grievance reporting and practices and the Mayer Mr. Ojha gave a session about the governance, current plan, strategy, and practices of the municipality, were interactive. Meanwhile, Mr. Jonathan asked some curiosities with the participants and Mr. Mahendra Shahi facilitated the interaction. The participants were taught about the good governance, citizen engagement, grievance reporting, and the use of technology for the accountable governance. The annex minutes and photo features are attached herewith.

C.2 Pre and Post Test of the Participants:

The mentioned chart clearly measured the lowest to highest level of knowledge of the participants regarding the training contents. As the participants score, the pre-test score as 1 is the highest level of score and 5 is the lowest. Likewise, the post-test score; the highest level of score is 4 and lowest is 1. The chart clarified the participant's level of knowledge about the training contents that they were mostly unknown about the contents in an initial phase and increased the level of knowledge at the end of the training. Indeed, the chart measurement refers that the participants need the capacity building trainings further too.

140

120 Scale 1 100 Scale 2 80 Scale 3 Scale 5 60 Scale 4 Scale 4 Scale 5 40 Scale 3 20 Scale 2 0 Scale 1 Pre-test Post-test

C.3 Orientation to the CSOs on Good Governance & Use of the Technology: The project SUSASAN facilitated to conduct one day orientation workshop at community level from 7-21 March 2018 to orient the CSOs about the good governance, accountability, budget, citizen engagement and the use of the modern technology in the context of making the local government transparent. The Facilitators: SUSASAN Field Coordinators Mr. Hikmat Singh and Deepak Bohara facilitated to eight CSOs. The details of workshop participants can show in following chart:

50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15

10 Female 5 0 WMGs Youths

d. Training to CSOs/ NGOs have adopted policies related to GESI through integrated technologies (1114) d.1 Participation on GESI Policy Update/Formulation TOT REDC/SUSASAN team along other three district's SUSASAN teams of Province N. 7 were participated in the GESI Policy Update/Formulation TOT organized by the CECI dated 23-25 May, 2017. There were participated the board members representatives from each DCSOs too. The training were focused on that how to update or formulate the GESI policy of the DCSOs. The participants practically exercised district-wise and estimated their own DCSO's GESI policy samples. d.2 GESI Policy Formulation of the REDC The Rural Environment Development Center (REDC) Dadeldhura formulated it's own GESI policy in the facilitation of the project SUSASAN. The GESI Policy Formulation Workshop conducted on Sept. 9, 2017 at Hotel Mountain View Tuphandanda, Dadeldhura on the Chairmanship of the REDC Chairperson, Mr. Siddharaj Bhatta and Chief Guest CECI/RO Regional Coordinator, Mr. Mahendra Shahi. The participants were REDC board and general members (12 people), CECI/RO Regional Coordinator (RC-1), SUSASAN team (DPC, FCs, and AFO-4) and other REDC staffs (5 people). The participants discussed group-wise on each topic of the GESI policy draft. Finally, the REDC revised and finalized the GESI policy according to the comments, feedbacks and advises raised from the workshop. The policy will be endorsed in the general assembly of the organization for an approval and will be implemented. d.3 GESI Policy Formulation Training to CSOs: The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy Formulation Training to CSOs is a two days training conducted on Hotel Mountain View Tuphandanda, Dadeldhura on Oct. 15-16, 2017. The participants were from CECI Nepal including the Regional CECI team of Dadeldhura, REDC/SUSASAN team, the REDC Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson of Nawadurga Gaunpalika and the Chairpersons and representatives of 20 CSOs from Amargadhi Municipality and Nawadurga Gaunpalika. Especially, the SUSASAN District Program Coordinator Mrs. Menka Shahi, the Field Coordinators Mr. Hikmat Singh and Deepak Bohara had instructed the participants in an interactive way. The detail report of the training is attached herewith this report. Maximum (17 Female, 3 male) female participation, participant's curiosity on the topic, interactive discussion and understanding as well as the commitment to formulate the GESI policy from each CSO are the major achievements of the training. d.3.1 Pre and Post Test of the Participants of the GESI Policy Formulation Training: The pre and post test are the methods of testing the knowledge of participants about the subject matter before and after the program. The test identifies the participant's level of knowledge. This method were used in the 'GESI Policy Formulation Training to the CSOs' too. The test result can show through the following column chart:

Pre and Post Test of Knowledge Level 80

60 Scale 1 50 Scale 2

40 Scale 3 Scale 4 30 Scale 5 20

Scored Level of Knowledgeof Level Scored Scale 6

0 Pre-test Post-test d.4 GESI Policy Formulation Workshops in the Community: The project SUSASAN facilitated to conduct one day orientation workshop for GESI policy formulation at community level of separate time and venue. It was one day workshop conducted from 29 Jan. to 19 March 2018 to orient the CSOs about the good governance, accountability, budget, citizen engagement and the use of the modern technology in the context of making the local government transparent. The Facilitators: SUSASAN District Program Coordinator Mrs. Menka Shahi, Field Coordinators Mr. Hikmat Singh and Deepak Bohara facilitated to 6 CSOs. The details of workshop participants can show in following chart:

Participant Details of the GESI Workshops at Community Level

Female WMGs Youths 43 43 36 36 39 36 36 30 25 23 23 17 17 17 15 15 13 5

Saraswati Aama Kailpal Taja Saileshwor Tripura Sundari Srishti Aama Sahara Multi- Samuha Tarkai Krishak Mahadev Aama Samuha Samuha Purpose Nawadurga 5 Aama Samuha Agriculture Amargadhi 2 Amargadhi 9 Cooperative Amargadhi 2 Cooperative Amargadhi 6 Amargadhi 7

According to the chart, there is the highest participation of the participants of Tripura Sundar Aama Samuha Amargadhi 2 Solpari in the GESI policy formulation workshop. Indeed, all the CSOs did a serious discussion on the topic and decided to formulate the policy. Some CSOs have not been registered legally though they have followed the GESI norms through the GESI policy, they are in practice, and some have to wait their general assembly for its approval and will be implemented.

d.5 GESI Policy Formulation of the CSOs The REDC/SUSASAN facilitated the six CSOs to formulate the GESI policies of Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika Dadeldhura. The CSOs seriously discussed about the significance of the policy and finally formulate it. A summary of the GESI discussion in the community can mention through the following table:

S. CSO Name Address GESI Workshops REDC/SUSASAN N. From-To Role 1. Saraswati Aama Samuha Nawadurga 5 Taak Feb. 21, 2018 • Facilitation on 2. Srishti Aama Samuha Amargadhi 9 Dec. 25, 2017/ GESI discussion Chamallek March-18,2018 • Logistic Support 3. Tripura Sundari Aama Amargadhi 2 12-14 Feb,2018 • GESI theoretical Samuha Solpari inputs 4. Shaileswor Mahadev Amargadhi 7 Jan, 29,2018 • Support on GESI Krishi Sahakari Sanstha Pokhara draft 5. Kailpal Taja Tarkari Amargadhi 2 Aaiet 7-9 March, 2018 • Policy Mahila Krishak Samuha Joshina Computerization, 6. Sahara Multi-Purpose Amargadhi 6 Feb. 19, 2018/ print and handover Cooperative Dumada March 19, 2018

e. Development and use of awareness materials on GESI and integrated

technologies for enhanced participation and leadership of WMGs(1121) f. Training on leadership and participation in democratic citizenry processes toWMGs and their networks(1122) g. Advocacy campaigns and lobbying activities to position WMGs in decision making system(1123)

3. Use of Integrated Technology by WMGs to hold their local government accountable a. Mapped and analyzed existing open data initiatives (1211) a.1. Participated in the Workshop of Open Data Initiatives (ODI) The CECI Regional Office Dadeldhura organized two days Open Data Initiatives Workshop at it's own office dated 2-3 February, 2018. The participants were from CECI Nepal, Freedom Forum, CECI Regional Office Dadeldhura, and each SUSASAN team of four districts (Dadeldhura, Bajhang, Achham and Kailali) of Province N. 7. There were taught about the open data, importance, use, and reuse. There were discussed about the characteristics of the Open Data like availability, access/dissemination, use/re-use and benefit, gaps and barriers. The team SUSASAN learnt about the Open Data like machine readable, proactive disclosure, free of cost, re-use and re-distribution and licensing and open licensing of the open data. There were taught about the rights to information, provision of the constitution of Nepal and practices too. a.2. ODI Survey at Local Level The project always has been using the survey tools like household survey (HHS), key informant interview (KII) and focus group discussion (FGD). The survey accomplished at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika. The survey inclusion can refer as below chart:

Summary of the ODI Survey

Target Achievement Female WMGs

20 20 18 15

8 8 4 4 2 2 1 1

Household Survey Focus Group Discussion Key Informant Interview In total, the project reached in 20 households, 4 KII and 2 FGDs in the project working areas. The project had targeted to especially the WMGs community like Dalit, Freed Haliya and women respondents. One District Program Coordinator, two Field Coordinators and Finance and Admin Officer were mobilized for 5 days to accomplish the survey. i. Household Survey on Open Data Initiatives The HH Survey on ODI was taken at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika. There were total 20 households in both survey areas. It was completed in Amargadhi Municipality and Nawadurga Gaunpalika the survey from 6-11Feb. 2018. One District Program Coordinator, two Field Coordinators and one Finance and Admin Officer were mobilized for 5 days to accomplish the survey. The survey took 10 households at Amargadhi Nagarpalika (ward n. 5 & 10) and 10 households at Nawadurga Gaunpalika (ward n. 2 & 3). The survey information was taken in mobile tab.

ii. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is a type of survey to dig out the necessary data information through group discussion. The target of the FGD was two which were done in Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika. The FGD was conducted at Amargadhi Nagarpalika on 2 Feb. 2018. The total participants were 9 which of them, 7 male and 2 female, 1 Dalit and youths 4. Likewise, the FGD was conducted at Nawadurga Gaunpalika on 7 Feb.2018. There were 8 participants who of them, 2 male and 6 female, 3 were Dalit and 4 youths. The participants were selected from the Dalit Network, Youth Club, SM, Ward Citizen Forum, Ward Level Network, Teacher, CAC. The data information of the FGD was taken in hard copy and audio record.

iii.Key Informant Interview (KII) The target of KII was 2 at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and 2 at Nawadurga Gaunpalika. The KII events specially focused to the Mayer/Deputy Mayer/Administrative Officer of Nagarpalika, Chairperson/Vice-Chairperson/Administrative Officer and Ward Chairperson of Gaunpalika. The key respondents of Amargadhi Nagarpalika were Mr. Bishweswor P. Ojha, Mayer and Mr. Khemraj Pathak, the Ward Chairperson of ward N. 5and of Nawadurga Gaunpalika were Mr. Karunakar Bhatta, the Communication Officer and Mr.Raghunath Bhatta, Ward Chairperson of ward N. 2 Nawadurga. The survey information was taken in mobile tab. b. Techno Hubs establishment in local structures (1212)

N/A c. Physical facilities/infrastructures renovated/ rebuilt to establish the Techno Hubs (1213) c.1 MOU Agreement with Local Government for Establishment of the TH: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement was done between REDC/SUSASAN and Amargadhi Municipality on Dec. 12, 2017. The REDC Chairperson Mr. Siddharaj Bhatta and the Mayer Mr. Bishweswor Prasad Ojha of key signatures and the witness signatures of Mrs. Menka Shahi (SUSASAN DPC) form REDC/SUSASAN and Mr. Kabindra Bhatta (Executive Officer) from the side of Amargadhi Municipality. Likewise, the MOU agreement done between the REDC and Nawadurga Gaunpalika dated Dec. 14, 2017. The REDC Secretary Mr. Tilak Shahi and the Chairperson of Nawadurga Gaunpalika Mr. Kabindra Bist signed on the agreement copy. The witness of the agreement from both side were Mr. Hikmat Singh (Field Coordinator of SUSASAN Project) and Mr. Marsal Pant (Chief Administrative Officer of Nawadurga Gaunpalika). The scanned copies of the MOU agreements are attached with the report. After the frequent coordination and cooperation; and the agreement as the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Amargadhi Nagarpalika, the REDC/SUSASAN succeeded to facilitate on the establishment of the techno-hub into the Nagarpalika Office. The Nagarpalika has its own building taken on rent and room has also completed the techno hub set up in the collaboration of the REDC/SUSASAN and Amargadhi Nagarpalika in the end of March, 2018. The CECI/SUSASAN provided the necessary equipments and physical facilities according to the MOU agreement.

c.2 TH Specification and Renovation/Setup One techno-hub renovation (a window renovated) and set up has been accomplished at Amargadhi Nagarpalika in the last date of March, 2018. The team SUSASAN collected the data information coordinating the local government and the stakeholders. The techno-hub has been established being based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was done with the local government. The techno-hub is in an initial process. But the IT volunteer has not been specified and trained for the tech hub operation. There has been set up of 18 types of the techno-hub equipments handover by the CECI Regional Office Dadeldhura which is in annex in details along its specifications. For further techno hub renovation/setups, the following techno hubs are specified.

Particul Nagarpalika S.N. Community Level Gaunpalika Level Community Level ar Level Office of Amargadhi 10 Rai, Office of Nawadurga Nawadurga 3, Dandaban, 1. Venue Amargadhi Dadeldhura RM Dadeldhura Nagarpalika A building (with two room) Tole lane organization is As the municipality is Status of owned by LSSC under A room ready to provide land. A planning to build their the municipality will be provided. available owned new building is required own building in coming 2. physical Some structural changes require by Nagarpalika to construct for the year and the location of structur to install the services and for the itself establishment of techno- the center is yet to be e uniform outlook and design of hub. decided. techno-hub. The project collected data information of total households, marginalized community households, distance of access for marginalized community people, status of education, use of communication and technology. The team had made a checklist for the selection of the techno-hub location focusing the access of the WMGs, availability of building/room, electricity, access of internet, water and toilet facilities; and the center as well as the maximum movement of the people. After a long study, coordination, and verification, finally the techno-hub locations specified at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika; and it's communities. d. Innovative technological mechanisms and tools developed to access relevant data/ information and hold local government accountable (1214) e. Appropriate mechanisms are in place for off-line users to access relevant data and information by linking with online technology (1215)

N/A

f. Data collection on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice for comparative assessment (1221)

a. Participated in Orientation of the KAP Survey at Dhangadh One day Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) Orientation on 12 Jan. 2018 conducted by CECI Regional Office at Dhangadhi, Kailali. The participants were from the CECI Nepal, CECI Regional Office Dadeldhura, program staffs of SUSASAN team from Dadeldhura, Bajhang, Achham and Kailali. The participants were oriented by the Government Adviser Mr. Binod Upadhya and CECI Consultant Mr. Prakash Paudel, facilitated by the Regional Coordinator of CECI Nepal Dadeldhura, Mr. Mahendra Shahi. The participants were given a guideline for the survey and oriented in a depth. The instructors advised some ethics and code of conduct to be followed during the survey. The SUSASAN team of Kailali did the FGD with some CSO members and the orientation participants also observed it. The SUSASAN team acknowledged about the KAP that it is a type of survey to find out the gap between the local government and the citizens through the survey of knowledge, attitude and practices of the local government, CSOs and the citizens. The orientation participants learned some lessons from that how can make our activities more effective and result oriented.

b. KAP Survey at Local Level The project accomplished the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) Survey at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika of Dadeldhura District. There were used the survey tools like Household Survey (HHS), Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The target of the HHS were 30 households, KII 7 and FGD 2. The marginalized community people specially the WMGs were targeted during the HH survey. The KII respondents from elected government bodies 5, local government personnel were 2 and the internet service provider were 1 personnel. There were included the participants in both local level FGDs from the Dalit Network, Mother Group, Freed Haliya, Antarjatiya Mahila Sanjal, Akal Mahila Sanjal, Apanga Sangh, Social Mobilizer, Youth Club, Ward Level Network, Cooperatives and CSOs. The summary of the KAP survey can mention as below chard:

Respondents of the KAP Survey

Target Achievement Female WMGs

30 30

18 15 14 12 7 8 2 2 1 1

Household Survey Focus Group Discussion Key Informant Interview

b.1 Household Survey

Baseline Survey under the KAP Survey has completed in Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika the survey from 17-21 Jan. 2018. One District Program Coordinator, two Field Coordinators and two hired enumerators were mobilized for 5 days to accomplish the survey. The survey took 24 households at Amargadhi (ward n. 5 & 10) and 6 households at Nawadurga (ward n. 2 & 3). The respondents were male 8, female 22, Dalit 7 (6 Freed Haliyas), Janajati 2 and youths 20.. b.2 Focus Group Discussions (FGD) The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is a type of survey which is done among the target group. The target of the FGD was two which of them, one was in Amargadhi Nagarpalika and another was in Nawadurga Gaunpalika. The FGD was conducted at Amargadhi on 17 Jan. 2018. The total participants were 8 which of them, 4 male and 4 female, 5 Dalit, 1 person with disability and youths 5. Likewise, the FGD was conducted at Nawadurga on 19 Jan. 2018. There were 9 participants which of them, 1 male and 8 female, 2 were Dalit and youths 7. b.3 Key Informant Interview (KII) The target of KII was 4 at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and 3 at Nawadurga Gaunpalika. The KII events specially focused to the Governmental and non-governmental service providers at the local level of Nagarpalika and Gaunpalika. The key respondents of Amargadhi Nagarpalika were male 4 and female 1, and of Nawadurga were male 3. The details of data and photo features of the event are in annex.

g. Action-Research executed on the socio-economic impacts of citizens-State engagement (1222) h. Training materials developed on use of integrated technologies for citizens, especially WMGs for social accountability purposes (1223) i. Training on the use of integrated technologies to enhance capacity and awareness of citizens, WMGs to engage in governance and accountability

process (1224) j. Public sensitization campaigns on the importance of participatory monitoring of public service delivery and of socio-economic impacts of citizen-state engagement using integrated technologies (1225)

4. Government Responsiveness a. Development of Technological platforms for the use of accountability mechanisms and tools by local government agencies for increased responsiveness (1311) b. Technology-based information gathering mechanisms of local government developed including Open Data solutions through Techno Hubs (1312)

N/A c. Local government agencies are supported to digitize, update and disclose public information through integrated technological platforms (1313)

a.3 Data Collection for the Points of Interest (POI) The Points of Interest refers to the public sectors and their center points. The project SUSASAN initiated to record its details along with its location for the public information. The project team took some records of the POI at Amargadhi Nagarpalika. The target sectors were the Tourist areas, Educational organizations, current buildings of Gaunpalika and Nagarpalika, Business Centers, Health Posts, Financial Organizations, Religious locations, Bus Parks, National and International organizations or agencies, Security Units and the F.M. Radios/Radio Stations. The location recording process has been still in progress.

d. Training sessions and technical backstopping to local government agencies in using integrated technologies/ Techno Hubs including support to develop strategic documents/plans/policies/guidelines (1321) d.1 Orientation Workshop on 'Sthaniya Sarkar Sanchalan Ain, 2074' The SUSASAN project had conducted an orientation workshop at Amargadhi Nagarpalika to orient the elected bodies and government staffs on 'Sthaniya Sarkar Sanchalan Ain, 2074' dated 21 Nov. 2017. The project had coordinated with the Nagarpalika to conduct the workshop jointly with that they were running 3 days training on 'Application of Appreciative Inquiry in Personal and Professional Life' for same participants. The Nagarpalika agreed and the project took a session of orientation for one day. The participants were the ward chairpersons/elected government bodies (17) of Amargadhi Nagarpalika, Government staffs (1), CECI Regional team (2) along the REDC/SUSASAN (4) team. The Advocate Lawyer Mr. Yuwa Raj Joshi instructed the participants about the Act.

Likewise, the project SUSASAN conducted an another orientation workshop at Nawadurga Gaunpalika on 'Sthaniya Sarkar Sanchalan Ain, 2074' dated 25 Dec. 2017. The participants were executive members (15) and the government staffs (4) of Nawadurga Gaunpalika, Regional team of the CECI Nepal (1), the REDC/SUSASAN team (4) and the Advocate Lawyer Mr. Yuwa Raj Joshi. The Lawyer Joshi had orientated the participants about the act. The orientation workshop became fruitful to make aware the elected bodies and the government staffs.

The participants of the workshop responded after the workshop closure that the workshop was very contextual and compulsory for the acknowledgement of elected Gaunpalika and ward chairpersons as well as the government staffs. Both workshops' participants took the program as an important opportunity and needed to be orient about the act once again for next time.

e. Training for local government agencies conducted for the use and implementation of accountability mechanisms and tools through integrated technologies (1322) f. Sharing session between Canadian/international experts and local government agencies to facilitate knowledge transfer on accountability and governance using integrated technologies (1323) g. Information and awareness materials on good governance and accountability using integrated technologies capitalizing based on the Nepalese lessons learnt are available (1323) h. Governance and Accountability

B. Environmental Consideration-

N/A

C. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

The project accomplished the activities very sensitively keeping in mind the GESI norms and values on each program of the first year. The project used to plan for the activities to participate maximum WMGs, select the venue appropriate to the participants. The participation in the program also reflects the gender equality and social inclusion. The project have been including the participants more focusing to the marginalized community people like Dalit, Janajati, single women and persons having disabilities who are the major target groups of the SUSASAN project too. The team is well understood the theme that the project cannot achieve the goal without a proper inclusion and participation of those groups. That's why, the project frequently discussed and facilitated to build the GESI policy of the organization REDC and other six CSOs too which is exceeding achievement than the target of this year. The project team prioritized the importance of the GESI policy and followed the accordingly.

D. Coordination and Collaboration at a Local Level

The project SUSASAN Dadeldhura had have been frequently coordinating and collaborating at the local level of Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika from the starting phase of the project. The project had frequently coordinated at three levels : Coordination with local government (Elected bodies/government officials), with community (CSOs/community people) and with the CECI Regional and Central office. The coordination at local level can be mentioned as following topics:

• Program conduction and collaboration • Plan and policies and other data information • Website/e-profile designation • Techno-hub establishment • Contact and coordination with the CSOs for the GESI policy formulation and other data information. The SUSASAN coordination and collaboration can be mentioned as below topics: D.1 Consent Letter Approval from DCC

After the secondary data collection, we coordinated and formally informed to the District Coordination Committee (DCC) about the SUSASAN project and it's further program in detail dated 28 April, 2017. DCC is an important governmental district level structure which can play a vital supportive role to make effective to the project activities. That's why we needed to coordinate with the DCC for and made an approval as the consent letter from. D.2 Program Endorsement: The project SUSASAN endorsed the annual budget and activity plan of the SUSASAN project at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika after the local level election. The newly elected bodies and the governmental officials became aware after the endorsement of the program. Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika have allocated gradually the amount of NR. 500,000 and NR.200,000 as the matching fund. They committed for further coordination, cooperation, and support on every step of the project implementation process.

D.3 Coordination for CSOs mapping: The project communicated and coordinated to the CSOs chairperson, members and social mobilizers while CSOs mapping, verifying and data collection process. The project had collected the detail data and information of 85 CSOs of Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika, the project working areas. After a depth verification of the CSOs, finally the project team selected 20 CSOs as the first priority and 10 others for second priority of the project as mediators. D.4 Informal Coordination and Meeting: REDC/SUSASAN has frequently coordinated, collaborated and organized the informal meetings at the local level from the project initial phase itself and in the presence of the CECI Nepal too. The project SUSASAN endorsed the its annual budget and activities in the Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika. With the endorsement of the program in the Nagarpalika and Gaunpalika created an excitement and positive response from the government and community side towards the project. The elected bodies interested to strengthen the good governance. The project frequently coordinated and organized informal meetings at four levels: 1) Local Government Level The project coordinated and collaborated with the local government (the elected bodies and government officials) for the project annual budget plan and program endorsement, project activities, techno-hub specification and establishment, local government's needs/challenges and necessities; and necessary data information.

2) Community Level The project coordinated with the community groups/people to collect the necessary data information, select the CSOs as project mediators and attainment in various trainings/workshops conducted by the project.

3) The CECI Regional Level Likewise, the project frequently coordinated and organized informal meetings with CECI Regional Office Dadeldhura at Dadeldhura for effective coordination, planning and project implementation. The project took valuable inputs, feedbacks, and suggestions to make the project activities result orientated.

4) The Stakeholders Level The project frequently coordinated with the district DCSOs and other stakeholders to collect the necessary data and information and their participation in the SUSASAN activities. The project coordinated and initiated for jointly plan and activity implementation too. The informal meetings and coordination relevant photo features are attached herewith.

E. Risk Strategy

The project always did plan for the further activity implementation considering the time and situation of target community, stakeholders and other situations. The project team always coordinated with the REDC board members, CECI Regional Office Dadeldhura and others for elimination of the risk and the betterment of the activity result. The team always did the internal monthly staff meeting on the first week of the month and review and share each other the previous experiences; and plan further keeping in mind the past lessons and divide the role and responsibilities. The team did not have felt any huge risk till now which would be a harmful on the project activity implementation process. The team believes that if the team is proactive on coordination, well planning and proper punctual on own time table/schedule; the risk can be reduced in some extent. 23

F. Visibility

The project SUSASAN often used the digital banners. The news regarding the SUSASAN programs are broadcasted through the FM radios and published in the newspapers. There are some examples of visibility as below:

G. Monitoring and Evaluation

The project SUSASAN had have been monitoring and verifying its each activity from its initial phase. Except these, the team made the monthly work plan, did accordingly and review/tally the plan with the achievement. The project had have been conducting monthly staff meeting and reviewed the past activities, share experiences, learning each other and follow the experiences in the further steps. The project has been participating the board member of the organization REDC too in the SUSASAN activities. The board members use to monitor the SUSASAN activities through frequently informal update/sharing and participating in the program. The project also has been documented the activity records with a proper and well documentation both hard copies and e-version and report to the CECI monthly and quarterly. Sometime the public and share the program related information and photos in the social media like facebook. Therefore, the project has been using various methods of monitoring and evaluation to make the project activities result-oriented. The team had have been taking appropriate feedback, suggestions and backstopping form the CECI/RO Regional Coordinator and others too to make the program effective.

H. Management Activities, Issues and Adjustments

H.1 Partnership Agreement and Staff Recruitment Initially, the Rural Environment Development Center (REDC) Dadeldhura and the Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) Nepal did the partnership for the SUSASAN project. After the partnership, the organization recruited four staffs (One DPC and one Finance and Admin Officer: Female and; Two Field Coordinators: Male) considering the GESI norms and values. The project started it's implementation since 1st April, 2017.

H.2 Internal Management and Staff Meeting: Management is an important aspect of the project implementation. Any project cannot go ahead without a proper and appropriate management of the project components. After the recruitment of the project team, The project team had have been conducting the monthly staff review meeting. The team always included different issues in the meeting regarding the program implementation, learning lesions, management, and the further planning. The minutes related with the monthly staff meetings are attached herewith. H.3 Enumerator's Recruitment: The project did three surveys during the first year : Baseline Survey, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Survey (KAP) and Open Data Initiatives (ODI). The project did the baseline survey at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika according to the target of each surveys separately. Except the ODI survey, the project had selected two potential enumerators from the project working areas to support on baseline survey. The enumerators were hired for a short time. The detail report is attached herewith.

H.4 DCSOs Checklist and Information Collection:

During the July, 2017, the project coordinated with local and district level Civil Society Organization (CSOs/DCSOs) and collect the information as the checklist and data collection formats provided from the CECI. It was also a kind of tool for the baseline survey which became very effective to collect the information like the CSOs information, NGOs profiles, use of modern technology, gender policies, capacity building status etc. The project coordinated and collected the information of at least 85 CSOs and 3 different DCSOs in district level which can be mentioned as below:

i. Rural Environment Development Center (REDC) ii. Human Rights Movement Awareness Center (HRMAC) iii. Multi-Purpose Development Center (MPDS)

H.5 CSOs Mapping and Verifying:

Previously the project had collected the data information of 84 CSOs including some DCSOs from Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika till July, 2017 and reported. The detail data of the DCSOs and CSOs were collected through support of the DCSOs/CSOs chairpersons, members and social mobilizers. Specially, the project team had targeted to the active, sustainable and maximum WMG included DCSOs/CSOs and data collected. The project mapped and verified at least 30 CSOs till September, 2017 coordinating the newly elected bodies and CSOs responsible to make a support in the SUSASAN project implementation process as the mediatory at the district and community level.

H.6 Participation in the Inception Workshop (Aug. 3-5, 2017) The CECI Nepal had conducted the Inception Workshop at Bhaktapur district on August, 3-5, 2017. The participants were from CECI Nepal, YI, Freedom Forum, CECI Regional, and each district's (Dadeldhura, Bajhang, Achham, Kailali, Sindhupalchok and Lalitpur) SUSASAN team members. The major objectives of the workshop were get an overview of the project, develop common understanding on the project component/theme and activities, clarification of role and responsibility of involved partners, familiarization on Performance Measurement Framework (PMF)/monitoring frame work, familiarization on reporting templates and deadlines and prepare the action plan.

H.7 District Inception Workshop: The SUSASAN had conducted the district inception workshop at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika gradually on Sept. 8 and Sept. 11, 2017. The project endorsed and informed in detail about the SUSASAN project in the program. The participants were from the target marginalized community, newly elected bodies, government officials, CECI/RO, SUSASAN team including the organizational representation. The participants had raised some curiosities regarding the program and addressed by the project DPC and facilitated by the Regional Coordinator of the Regional Office Dadeldhura. Finally, the participants committed to support to the program on every step of the activity implementation process. The endorsement of the project as a detail information to the local government and the community has made current communication and coordination with the stakeholders much easier and fruitful for the project implementation. H.8 Participated in the Workshop of Professional Report Writing: The SUSASAN team participated in the orientation program on professional report writing conducted by CECI Regional Office Dadeldhura on 29 Dec. 2017. The participants were the Government Adviser from CECI Nepal, the CECI Regional team and the REDC/SUSASAN team Dadeldhura. The Government Adviser Mr. Binod Upadhya had instructed the participants about the basic and professional report writing skills and the Regional Coordinator Mr. Mahendra Shahi facilitated the workshop. The program helped to the participants to acknowledge and develop the various report writing skills and ways.

I. Major Constraints and Challenges

S.N. Constraints/Challenges Solutions/Suggestions 1. High expectation of the local level government and The CECI has to be concrete on its own the community people criteria that it is need based or has any limitations to support the LG 2. Letup responsiveness of the local government on Coordination with the LG for the each activity recruitment of focal persons 3. Financial ambiguity Capacity building training in depth to the Financial as well as the Program Staffs 4. Database Work Capacity building training on the database to the program staff 5. CSOs/WMGs and Use of Technology The project can handover a tablet to each CSOs 6. Less ownership of LG Orientation workshop to the LG by the CECI

J. Major Lessons Learnt

• A well planning and proactive practices only result the effective implementation of the program • Community people and government officials time/situation also would be considered while planning • The activities only can be effective and result oriented with a proper clarity of the content and budget before activity implementation • Activities should be planned and implemented in a parallel way that supports to implement multiple activities in same time period that lessons the team learnt.

K. Local Level Grievance Management There have been many formal/informal/individual questions and curiosities form the community people, CSOs/DCSOs, elected bodies and the stakeholders about the project, it's objects, techno-hub term and it's utilization, target venue and community selection criteria and the implementing process. The project team had have been addressing the curiosities in an appropriate extent itself through the formal, informal, individual and organizational level too. L. Suggestion to the project management for corrective measures SUSASAN project is an important but having a distinct strategic project to enhance the good governance through the capacity building of the local government and the citizens with a proper utilization of the modern technology. The project has been facilitating the local government on service providing system through the use of modern appropriate integrated technology and the techno-hub establishment. So, there is necessity for the team itself to have well understanding about it. The team also needs some technical backstopping as well as capacity building on monitoring and supervision, coordination and collaboration to make the further activities and the whole project more effective. Except this there is necessity to make a clarity on the project, budget and its activities top to bottom team members. It will support on the well planning, implementation and project result. M. Financial report There were some challenges in the financial part while implementing the project activities during the first year. There are some variances on the allocated budget and actual expenses. There is the highest variance of 207% in 1114 between the actual budget and expenses due to the project completed the four years target of the GESI Policy Formulation within the first year. In 1211, there is the variance because the budget was not allocated for other training cost & only on travel cost. Likewise, in 1321; the reason behind the variance that the activity was not clearly specified after 2 workshops accomplished. There are some other variances because some activities were not conducted that would be conduct in a coordination. And in some official management cost of variances, the team had not clarity about the financial expenses during the initial phase of the project. The detail of the financial variance report is in annex: 1.

Annex: 1 Financial Variance Report:

Summary of Financial Report- (As of April-2017 to March-2018) Approved Actual Varia SN Outputwise activity Variance Explanation of Variance Budget Expenses nce% 1 1111 76435.33 74708 1,727.33 98%

3 1113 280767.67 277,569.00 3,198.67 99% Due to the completion of four years target (5) of 4 1114 134,395.80 277,640.00 -143,244.20 207% GESI Policy Formulation within the first year 5 1122 120,984.11 120,984.11 0% The activity is postponed for the next year The reason is that the budget was not allowcated 6 1211 16,683.33 11,105.00 5,578.33 67% for other training cost & only on travel cost 7 1212 259,316.75 259,316.75 0% The activity is postponed for the next year

8 1213 2,081,515.33 73,529.00 2,007,986.33 4% Due to only the renovation has accomplished

9 1221 43,742.42 43,470.00 272.42 99%

10 1311 17,024.22 17,024.22 0% The activity is postponed for the next year

11 1312 25,265.63 25,265.63 0% The activity is postponed for the next year The resion behind it that the activity was not 12 1321 80,005.70 21,486.00 58,519.70 27% clearly specified after 2 workshops accomplished CECI conducted the event itself at RO Ddl., 13 Annual planning & Review meeting 78,811.91 78,811.91 0% another one postponed. 14 Annual Learning Sharing 37,677.57 37,677.57 0% CECI did not conduct the event.

15 Inception Workshop 70,371.58 75,460.00 -5,088.42 107%

16 DEPAC Meeting 56,001.46 56,001.46 0% The activity is postponed for the next year

17 Local transportation for field visit 95,620.77 44,180.00 51,440.77 46% Due to the less field activities. We haven't got motorbike from CECI and there 18 Fuel for motorcycle 30,000.00 23,267.00 6,733.00 78% were few activities done in field level. Motorcycle 19 15,000.00 12,000.00 3,000.00 80% We have got let motorbike from CECI. maintenance,insurance,plate 20 Office rent 180,000.00 180,000.00 0.00 100%

21 Utilities 26,790.70 26,781.00 9.70 100%

22 Office expenses and supplies 133,953.49 133,930.00 23.49 100% Maintenance of computer & office 23 20,093.02 15,000.00 5,093.02 75% Only necessary maintenance done. equipment We have not know about budget for Initial phase of 20 Communication 66,976.74 42,779.00 24,197.74 64% communication& not claimed initail phase. We have not know about budget for Initial phase 21 Meeting and conference cost 20,093.02 11,900.00 8,193.02 59% meetings cost & not claimed initail phase. 22 Office maintenance 26,790.70 6,040.00 20,750.70 23% Maintenance done as per office need

23 Bank fee 2,342.23 60.00 2,282.23 3% Due to less charged by bank

24 Printing and photocopy 26,790.70 26,682.00 108.70 100%

25 Remuneration-local employee 1,670,500.00 1,670,500.00 0.00 100%

26 Overhead Cost 147,217.29 91,443.00 55,774.29 62% Due to Total project event not done

Total budget/expenses 5,841,167.47 3,139,529.00 2,701,638.47 53.75

Annex: 2 Photographs with captions and date of the SUSASAN Training to the CSOs:

The SUSASAN team schooling the CSOs (left), The Program Manager Mr. Jonathan asking his curiosities with participants through the CECI Regional Coordinator Mr. Mahendra Shahi on March 16, 2018.

Annex: 3 Photo Glimpses of the Open Data Initiatives (ODI)

The SUSASAN team collecting the ODI data at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika

Annex: 4 Photo Glimpses of the Knowledge, Attitude, & Practice (KAP) Survey

FGD at Amargadhi Municipality (left) KII with the Technician of World Link Communication Pvt.Ltd. Mr. Narendra Bist gradually on 17 and 21 Jan 2018 (right) 29

Annex: 5 Photo Features of the Baseline Survey at Amargadhi and Nawadurga:

SUSASAN FC Mr. Hikmat Singh and Enumerator Mr. Keshav SUSASAN team with CECI Consultant Mrs. Duity Baral Jaishi with a respondent on May 30, 2017 at Navadurga RM among participants in the FGD at Pokhara on May 25, 2017

SUSASAN FC Mr. Deepak Bohara and Enumerator Mr. Birendra SUSASAN DPC Mrs. Menka Shahi and FC Mr.Hikmat Shahi with a respondent on May 31, 2017 at Navadurga RM Singh on KII with Mrs. Indra Pant on June 2, 2017

Annex: 6 Inception Workshops at Amargadhi Nagarpalika and Nawadurga Gaunpalika

REDC Chairperson Mrs. Siddharaj Bhatta giving his speech among the participants at Amargadhi on Sept. 8, 2017 (left), Gaunpalika Chairperson Mr. Kabindra Bist giving his opinion (right) at Nawadurga Gaunpalika on Sept. 11, 2017

Annex: 7 GESI Policy Formulation Workshop at Amargadhi Nagarpalika on Sept. 9, 2017

The participants on group discussion on GESI draft policy (left), The CECI/RO RC Mr.Mahendra Shahi giving his instructions (right)

Annex: 8 Informal Meeting and Sharing among the CECI, CECI/RO, SUSASAN team and Amargadhi Municipality on August 18, 2017

Mr. Bibhushan Bist (YI) showing power point slides (Left), Municipality Mayer Mr. Bipin Ojha/Deputy Mayer Mrs. Sangita Bhandari elaborating the local government's necessities and the possibilities (right)

Annex: 9 Coordination meeting at Amargadhi Nagarpalika

Coordination at Amargadhi Nagarpalika about the HR Data and Other E-Profile Data Collection on Nov. 16 & Dec. 28, 2017.

Annex: 10 Representative Media Coverage Captions of the SUSASAN Activities: