Nepal Annual Report 2019 Message from the Country Director

Namaste and warm greetings from IM Swedish targeted youth, adolescent girls and boys, and women for their Development Partner (IM), Nepal Country Office! inclusion and meaningful participation in decision making With a great pleasure, today I am presenting our Annual processes and accessing their rights through government Progress Report for the year 2019 to all concerned stakeholders services. During this year, IM through its partners was able to and ecosystem partners. This year was full of excitement reach approximately 188 rights holders groups, 22091 rights and challenge for launching the implementation of IM’s new holders including 12059 female, 1350 youth and 3814 students strategic plan (2019-2023) in Nepal and globally. We kicked (2044 girls) from marginalized communities for their social and off this year with the fresh learning of last strategic period of economic empowerment and promoting their participation and 2015-18, evaluation of our programs by Government of Nepal inclusion in development and governance process. Cover Photo A woman with her child in in (GoN), and with challenging strategies and priorities to achieve IM team played an active role as connecter, networker and Kapilvastu district. the goals of the new strategic plan. To be relevant, strategic and facilitator in networking, and policy advocacy work including Malin Kihlstrom / IM focused, IM in Nepal and globally focused in four thematic promoting civic space and SDGs in collaboration with above priority areas--they are-- social inclusion, economic inclusion, mentioned knowledge and dialogue partners. IM actively involved ensured civic space and strengthening CSOs--for this strategic in civic space issue mainly CSO law called social development period (2019-23). With the approval of our five year-long draft bill in collaboration with AIN, NGO Federation and strategic plan and budget from our main donor- Sida (Swedish our partners- JMC and JuRI. This has resulted that the latest Government) and approval of two great projects from back- version of bill of CSO law is now under the ownership and donors [i.e. European Union and The Charitable Foundation leadership with the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior (TCF- Australia)], this year became the year of establishing and Citizen (MoWCSC). We contributed greatly in promoting expanding our regular and strategic partnerships with Nepali SDG-5: gender equality, and human rights and civil rights in civil society organizations (CSOs) as well as collaboration with the implementation and localization of SDGs. These efforts broad based partner ecosystem actors. Most importantly, this has created a basis for further advocacy for policy making and year also became the year of signing of IM’s five-year project effective implementation on above-mentioned issues. agreement (2019-23) with Social Welfare Council (SWC)/ At times when we were in the smooth implementation Government of Nepal (GoN). Similarly, we expanded our work of our strategic plan and partners plans, whole Nepal and in three districts of Karnali province together with EU-funded development sector have been badly affected by covid-19 with CONTENTS consortium partners and new rural municipality in Kapilvastu enormous social and economic impact in 2020. We strongly with the existing partner-IRDC from TCF-Australia funding. believe that GoN and we all development actors together can ABOUT IM’s core beliefs 4 Moving forward, during this year, we expanded our regular cope and lessen the impacts of covid to the people, in particular, partnership from six to eight long term partners including the to the most marginalize people. Where We Work Page 6 two new partners on board i.e. Jagaran Media Centre (JMC) and Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude towards Fair Trade Group (FTG) Nepal. We expanded our collaboration our donors Sida, TCF, The European Union, and the generous Our Partners Page 8 with five like-minded strategic actors (knowledge and dialogue Swedish people for their financial support. Without their Social Inclusion Page 10 partners) [i.e. Beyond Beijing Committee, Federation of support, we wouldn’t have been able to bring positive impact in Women Entrepreneurship Association (FWEAN), NGO the lives of our target groups and expansion of our programs. Economic Inclusion Page 16 Federation of Nepal/CSOs Forum for SDGs, Human Rights I would also like to thank my Nepal, India and Sweden based Alliance, Association of INGOs in Nepal (AIN)] to contribute IM team and our partners for their hard work, dedication, and Strengthening Civil and join their advocacy and policy initiatives related to social and support towards achieving our program goals and organization’s Society and Civic Space Page 22 economic inclusion, entrepreneurship policy, gender equality, mission. A special thanks to SWC, MoWCSC and line ministries, SDGs, civic space and CSO law. IM played active role bringing provincial and local governments for their effective cooperation Livelihoods Improvement of all implementing partners and strategic actors in one forum via for approval of our project agreements and facilitating for Indigenous Tharu communities partners’ network/forum and conceiving the idea of partners’ smooth operation of our work. Finally, I sincerely thank our through Effective Pond Management Page 24 advisory forum. target groups and communities, who continue to pursue their Enhancing Citizen's Participation During 2019, IM’s partners focused in organizing, and dreams despite of the challenges they face. in Sub-National Good Governance empowering new target groups (marginalized women and (Local and Provincial Level) in youth). They provided inputs, services and capacity building Govinda Neupane the context of the New support to the existing targeted groups e.g. farmers for their Country Director economic empowerment and school children for their quality March, 2020 Federal System in Nepal Page 26 education. Similarly, they also mobilized and empowered Annual Report 2019 – 3 Financial Report Page 30 IM is a Swedish development cooperation organization working to achieve a world free from poverty and exclusion, where everyone ABOUT IM’s core beliefs can find out about their rights and take control of their lives. IM support poor marginalized and vulnerable women, girls and youth Commitments so that they can change their situation through their own efforts. IM empowers civil IM was founded in 1938 in Lund, Sweden and has no religious society, catalyzing or political affiliation. IM works in 13 countries across the world. profound societal change IM has been supporting Nepal’s development and humanitarian towards equality and Vision efforts since 1980 through Nepali partner organizations. Since democracy. IM’s vision is a fair 2010, it has been working in Nepal as a legally registered INGO. and humane world. Since 2019, IM's work is focused on 1) Social Inclusion 2) Economic Inclusion 3) Strengthening Civil Societies and Civic Space.

Mission How we work To create visibility, fight In Order to achieve When people come together they have greater poverty and alienation. IM scope for influence and to bring about change than always defends the principle our vision as individuals. With this in mind, IM works with We need a society with full equality and strong partners throughout the world. of all humans’ equal value democracy. Therefore, we are working to promote Our partners range from individuals working to and rights. • Social Inclusion: All individuals bring about change in their own villages to civil should have the right to be an equal member of society organisations and companies. We set up society, with the same human rights regardless networks, share knowledge and provide financial of gender, age, caste and social status. support.

• Economic inclusion: Everyone deserves to In order to bring about lasting change our work be in control of their own economic life and takes place on three levels: have the possibility to earn their own income, • Individual level (people) own land and afford an education • Organisational level (groups) • Institutional level (laws and norms) • Strengthening Civil Society and Civic IM and Sustainable Space: The civil society plays an important This approach to societal change is what we apply Development Goals part in a democratic society. A strong civil to all our activities. society with enabling operating environment (SDGs) can represent and defend marginalized groups IM has chosen to focus on the six while raising awareness and pushing for societal Global goals that we feel we are best change. placed to contribute to: Women, Girls and Young People are the Im works with focus of our work. partners and We are focusing our efforts on women, girls other ecosystem and young people. This is due to the fact that: actors in thirteen • empowering women women and girls helps countries on four to strengthen the community as a whole. continents. • empowering young people empowers those responsible for building the future.

4 – Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 – 5 2019 was the first year WHERE WE WORK of the five-year IM works in partnership with 8 local NGOs in Dang, Kapilvastu, Gorkha and Nawalpur through SIDA strategic funding. IM and IRDC implement an irrigation project in Kapilvastu through The Charitable Foundation plan 2019-23 Australia ( TCF). In a consortium of European Union funded governance project, IM works in Jajarkot, with the key focus to European Union Project Kalikot and Salyan district of province 6. prepare Kalikot, Jajarkot & Salyan Nepal programme within the objectives of sustainable societalchange. DANG Society for Environment Education Development (SEED) Society Welfare Action Nepal (SWAN)

Kapilvastu Indreni Rural Development Centre (IRDC) Siddhartha Social Development Centre (SSDC)

KATHMANDU Justice and Rights Institute (JuRi) - Nepal Jagaran Media Center (JMC) NAWALPUR gorkha Fair Trade Group (FTG) Nepal Multi-dimensional Action for Development-Nepal National Level Partners (MADE-NEPAL)

*Districts shown in the map are just for representation and does not indicate the exact borders.

6 – Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 – 7 Our Partners in Nepal Multi-dimensional Action for Development (MADE Nepal) Bharatpur, Chitwan Tel: +97756528604 Email: [email protected] www.madenepal.org

Siddhartha Social Development Centre (SSDC) Bandganga Municipality-10, Siddhartha Chowk Tel: +97776550196 Email: [email protected] www.ssdc.org.np

Society for Environmental & Economic Development Nepal (SEED - Nepal) Tulsipur, Dang Tel: +97782522049 Email: [email protected]

Indreni Rural Development Center (IRDC) Buddhabhumi, Kapilvastu Tel: +97776545013 Email: [email protected] www.irdcnepal.org

Justice and Rights Institute - Nepal (JuRI) Jwagal, Lalitpur Tel: 015538910 Email: [email protected] www.jurinepal.org.np

Jagaran Media Center (JMC) Baneshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 015172646/ 9861086809 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Web: www.jagaranmedia.org.np

Society Welfare Action Nepal (SWAN) Lamahi Municipality- 11, Dang Tel: +97782417020 E-mail: [email protected]

Fair Trade Group Nepal Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur, Nepal PO Box 13620, Kathmandu Tel:977-1- 5549848, 5542608 Email: [email protected] www.fairtradegroupnepal.org

Participants of live media dialogue on 8 – Annual Report 2019 child marriage conducted by SSDC Annual Report 2019 – 9 and JMC in Fulika, Kapilvastu. Social Inclusion Access to Drinking Water by Fighting Patriarchal Prejudices To promote the social inclusion rights of the individual particularly women, girls and youth from Dangisaran Rural Municipality lies in south- Dalit, Indigenous, Madhesi, poor and marginalized western part of Dang district of Nepal, having a communities; IM work in partnership with SSDC, mixed population of Tharu indigenous, Dalits and SEED, JURI and JMC in Dang and Kapilvastu. other communities. Scarcity of drinking water is SSDC and SEED created platforms like REFLECT common in most part of the Dang district but in Groups, Civic Education Groups, Girls Education some parts the people have been facing extreme scarcity of water for decades. The few water wells on Advocacy Groups (GEAG), Youth club, Adolescence which around 9-10 family members were dependent Girls Group, Child Club and Citizen's Watch Dog upon remained died mostly around the year. Due to Groups to bring the rights holders together to this, women and girls had to walk daily for hours in discuss their situation on social inclusion. the nearest forest areas to fetch contaminated drinking Partners applied different empowerment water. They had to dig water sources which was shared and social mobilization tools/methods such as by humans and animals for drinking and washing REFLECT/Civic Education Class, trainings, purposes. In the absence of water, the livelihood and orientations, live media dialogue, radio pogramme farming activities of the community were also badly to inform and education the rights holders. JMC affected, leave alone water for sanitation. covered stories, opinions and interviews of rights IM partner SEED conducted a ‘REFLECT’ class holders, experts, and government stakeholders and in the same Kauwaghari village since 2016 forming shared through the radio programmes, online portal a women REFLECT group. Since the drinking and social media pages of JMC. water scarcity is a huge problem, the women group These platforms and methodologies have been through the discussion in REFLECT decided to do a budget advocacy with government to ensure safe effective for the targeted rights holders to collectively drinking water supply in the community. The women discuss the issue of participation in decision making, group in leadership of Manisha Basnet submitted a gender and caste based discriminations, gender based memorandum to rural municipality in 2019 along with violence, poverty, child marriage, girl's education, other government officials. accessing local government services and many more. Although the campaign was to advocate with the SEED and SSDC also worked with 33 schools government to ensure the basic needs of drinking to promote quality education, girls/child friendly water supply, it also turned out against gender learning environment and to strengthen school discrimination in the society since it was led by the governance. At community level, IM mobilized women REFLECT group. Manisha Basnet says, "The Girls Education Advocacy Groups, Youth Clubs, men blamed that their village has been cursed because Adolescent Girls Group, Child club, parents and of the women broke the social norm and led the teachers to assess the drop-out children, re-enrol campaign. Due to which there has been less rainfall them in school and to promote girl education. and village is going through drought.” With all their Partners also engaged with local government to efforts and persuasion, now the same municipality has advocate and support them to develop anti-child initiated a project to install drinking water supply in marriage strategy and to develop municipalities' the village. This project will benefit 375 households in laws/policies from ESCR and pro-poor perspective. the community.

Manisha Basnet with her women's group.

10 – Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 – 11 Achievements in 2019

Most of the Reflect Groups and Civic Education JMC, SSDC and SEED conducted the live media Groups registered themselves as farmers groups in dialogues on gender-based violence (GBV), child Ward Office and Rural Municipality Office which marriage, quality education and public services make them easy to access agriculture related services at provincial and Rural Municipality level. This and subsidies. programme created a platform for the rights holders to ask face to face questions to the concerned government stakeholders. As a result, SEED and SSDC engaged with 54 religious and the government representatives made public traditional community leaders to sensitize them and commitment to ensure participation of rights- to mobilize against child marriage. holders in decision making processes, develop gender responsive budget and strategies to end child marriage, and ensure the social protection of GBV survivors. SEED and SSDC capacitated 33 schools to develop School Improvement Plan (IM) from girls/child friendly perspective and supported 6 schools to develop towards a model school. JURI Nepal formed the Provincial level ESCR network comprising 9 CSOs of province no. 5. The objective is to create forums for joint advocacy initiative on policy making and implementation Bijayanagar Rural Municipalities signed MoU process of the provincial government. with JURI Nepal to provide technical support on Civic Education Group members submitting their proposal to Ward Chairperson of Fulika, Mayadevi RM developing ESCR friendly municipalities' laws/ policies. SSDC and SEED also recognized by local government as working partner to reduce child JMC established a national and provincial level marriage and promote girls education. Parliamentary Forum for Dalit Parliamentarians IM reached to specially women who came from proportionate 9511 women, girls and representation. This forum provides platform for youth from rights holders the parliamentarian to discuss with the experts on 72 groups i.e. Reflect Group, Civic 17 7 Jagaran Media Center (JMC) made available of the the policy and development agendas that needs to be women and youth from information on socio-economic rights, government raised on the parliamentary meetings. Education Group, Girls Education Advocacy entitlements, social security schemes, public services, Groups, Citizens Watch Dog Group, Youth different rights holders groups gender equality, child marriage, civic space through Club, Adolescent Girls Group to promote claim and ensure their participation its online media portal, radio programme and social their equal and meaningful participation in in decision making structures in media page which received good numbers of views, decision makings, challenge discriminatory Dang and Kapilvastu. Such as School comments and sharing's. social norms and practices particularly Management Committee, Settlement child marriage, gender and caste Development Committee, WASH based discrimination and Committee, Users Groups, violence. 548 Construction Committee. drop out children (333 girls) were re- enrolled in school through mobilization of Girls Education Advocacy Groups, Youth Clubs, Adolescent Girls Group, Child club, parents and teachers.

12 – Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 – 13 UNITED AGAINST CHILD MARRIAGE

Bindu Tharu, Rajmati Teli, Radhika Tharu and Pati Tharu - were all below 16 years when they “I feel so happy that this were married off by their parents. “Forget about education, women did not even have a choice to year our group managed voice their opinions in front of elders,” says Pati, now 70. Years later, the same faces are crusading to stop three child against child marriage in their small village Fullika of Kapilvastu district in Nepal. marriages in our village. And the four doughty women want to prove the We saved three bright archaic practice wrong: they’ve made education for girl child the centrepiece of their campaign. futures of the village" Girls in Kapilvastu District face entrenched gender discrimination, and child marriage is - Radhika Tharu widespread. According to the 2011 Census, 62 per cent of the district’s girls between ages 10 and 19 On the contrary, these brave women face “serious were subjected to early marriage. (The national threats” by the kin of the bride for reporting child average of Nepal is 37 per cent before age 18.) marriages to the authorities and breaking off the “Child brides are forced to drop out of school. marriages. “The elderly men or fathers of the brides They also typically experience early pregnancy, which threaten us with consequences. But now when we threatens their health and well-being. Young brides deal with such threats in a group, we are stronger. We are also more vulnerable to abuse. We say it from our hold meetings and plan our campaigns in different own experiences. Back then, some among us were villages, each time with an innovative sloganeering,” married at 14, gave birth at 15. We were completely says Rajmati Teli (in bright red saree) as she loudly unaware of our reproductive health rights. We want enacts one dramatic slogan ‘Save Girl Child’. to end this practice completely to save the future of our children,” says Pati. Radhika Tharu (in white headscarf) found it very difficult to recall her age when she was “handed over by her parents to her in-laws” but she also sternly says that times are changing and she can’t even think of doing the same to her daughter now.

GEAG members (from left to right) Rajmati Teli, Pati Tharu, Bindu Tharu and Radhika Tharu (in white head scarf). Photo : Isha Banerjee/IM

14 – Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 – 15 Economic Inclusion

Achievements in 2019

MADE, IRDC and SWAN sensitized the rights Women and youth (altogether 212) are increasingly holders on social and economic inclusion through involved in different decision making structures different social mobilization methods. IRDC adopted for example school management committee, Livelihoods and Entrepreneurships Development road construction committee, users committee (LED) courses, and SWAN facilitated through of drinking water, and community forest user organizing Business and Rights Literacy (BRL) committee in partners program area. The classes. Similarly, MADE sensitized the rights holders empowered women have shared their increased role through organizing reflect classes. With the support in family and societal level decision making. Different of JMC, the economic inclusion partners mobilized strategies of partners for example, gender audit at local Frequency Modulation (FM) radios to broadcast community level organized by IRDC has sensitized the information for sensitizing the rights holders. men to share work load at home, and women are Partners also organized interaction meetings among empowered to take part in decision level positions. rights holders, and the representatives and the employee of the local governments. 2516 families were organized into 116 producer groups. Out of the total more than 65 % groups are Similarly, due to partners facilitation and helping led by women leaders. The organized rights holders rights holders to accessing government services, started discussion about their situation including 2261 families increased their access to different accessing economic rights for example land rights, government services like trainings, grant, seed, accessing entitlement from the different levels of irrigation support. SWAN and MADE have the government, reducing discrimination based on promoted resilient livelihoods activities for example gender and caste, action for violence against women, organic farming, improved sheds for animals, linking and protection of environment. crop and livestock insurance facilities, and climate smart farming. 34-year-old Pabitra Chaudhary resident of Gadwa Rural Muncipality joined the land right forum group and learnt about improved vegetable farming technology. IRDC’s joint work with developing tripartite She participated in different training such as women agreement to share financial resources and technical leadership training, vegetable farming training and also expertise with the Vijayanagar Rural Municipality, attends regularly in business and right literacy classes. IM SWAN supported the project and bore the lease amount and the target community has been effective model and supported input (seeds) of tomato, bitter gourd and to support the rights holders with goat enterprise. cauliflower. From leasehold farming, she was able to IRDC and Vijayanagar Rural Municipality jointly earn about NRS 166,675 (one lakh sixty six thousand supported 20 families for goat farming. six hundred and seventy five only) in 12 month of period. Nowadays she easily manages expenses of children’s and daily family expenses from the income of leasehold vegetable production. Photo SWAN

16 – Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 – 17 Partners directly supported 271 women and youth Trade and Export Promotion Centre (TEPC) has this year with the training, and grant support to recognized FTG, and are working together to establish enterprises. As a result of sensitization advocate for Fair Trade practices in supply chain. and direct support by partners, a total of 1093 IM and Federation of Women Entrepreneurs (890 female) women and youth started different Association Nepal (FWEAN), and different CSOs enterprises. including private sectors organized rallies and workshop to sensitize government stakeholders Among them, as per the income record of the for effective implementation of Women individual rights holders, about 300 rights holders Entrepreneurship Development Fund, and creating (250 female) earned in an average of about NPR. enabling environment for the women entrepreneurs 70,800 in one year through these enterprises. This at society, and the nation. income is sufficient to manage the expenses of about six months for the family.

IRDC supported Vijayanagar Rural Municipality to develop Local Disaster Risk Reduction Plan IRDC sensitized the rights holders, and had dialogue (LDRMP), and the local government started with the local government and the insurance effectively implementing the plan to reduce company, and JMC sensitized the rights holders vulnerability of the rights holders. and made the concerned government authority accountable by broadcasting radio program. With this joint effort, crop and livestock insurance program was effectively implemented by the government in Kapilvastu. Livestock insurance has increased resilience of rights holders’ enterprises.

Due to SWANs support 50 farmers are cultivating Madhnagara town, Kapilvastu district, Nepal. Prerna from vegetable in more than 5 Ha of land. Similarly, 42 the village of Madhnagara, Kapilvastu district. Prerna is farmers in Dang received the grant from Ministry a member of the Shree Ganesh Group supported by IM's of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperative partner. The group consists of women with small business due to effective implementation of the land lease operations. Through the group, Prerna received training program of Provincial government. SWAN’s in leadership, business development and accounting. In approach to demonstrate lease farming in a small addition to the knowledge, Prerna also received a goat. Today Prerna has two goats and in this way she has plot has contributed to empower the rights holders improved her finances and this is only the beginning! to access government’s bigger program like leasehold Women with their own businesses and income have program. greater power and control over their own lives. Photo Isha Banerjee/IM

18 – Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 – 19 ECONOMIC FREEDOM FOR WOMEN

The journey to realise economic freedom began for Phoolmati decided to re-start her pig rearing practice Phoolmati Pasi (43) when she joined an innovative in an improved way. “Having a pig is an asset for a classroom programme in 2019. Indreni Rural rural woman who could use it for many different Development Centre (IRDC) – IM’s partner in purposes to support her family. I shared my interest Kapilvastu district of Nepal’s Lower Terrai – has to the LED trainer who then gave me technical been focussing on skills and business promotion classes to add value to my rearing,” she says. in the region for the women and youth from In 2019 after having completed the LED course marginalised groups. Phoolmati was one among for six months, Phoolmati was provided with one pig many women beneficiaries who attended and which she reared for a year and could manage to sell received the support in form of a piglet. for NPR 20,000 (1700 SEK); thereby using the profit to purchase two piglets (male and female) and repair the shed. “I independently took “I started out with one pig and a small rearing shelter. With efforts and technical support, I reared a decision, perhaps for four healthy pigs and planning to expand the shelter to accommodate 12 more.” The entrepreneur in the time in my life, to Phoolmati is constantly exploring ways to build a successful piggery model, which she also calls as “her utilise the money for savings” account. “I never truly understood the importance my children’s school of becoming member of a Self Help Group (capacitated by IRDC) until I joined one. I could fees and expanding the take loan with an interest of Nepalese Rupees One (0.085 SEK) which is so much cheaper than taking livestock shed.” loans from landlords. This is economic freedom for me when I can decide for my own, for my children’s Belonging to an extremely marginalised section needs, without waiting to take consent from my of ethnic Madhesi community (based in Lower husband,” says Phoolmati. Terrai region of southern Nepal), the mother of Indreni Rural Development Centre is working five children was prepared with no asset that could with women and youths living in the target areas so help her family in the worst financial times. “We are that they may enjoy their socio economic and cultural landless labourers with nothing on our name. My rights in diversified ethnicity with unity, human husband migrates to nearby areas for livelihood. We dignity and self-respect. have no social security,” she says. It was after attending the Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Development (LED) classes when

Phoolmati Pasi in front of the pig shed she constructed with IRDC's support. Photo : Isha Banerjee/IM

20 – Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 – 21 At the IM actively provincial level, JURI and JMC involved in SSDC and IRDC were organised national advocacy dialogues involved in provincial level level CSOs dialogues on Strengthening Civil with Social Welfare Council, consultation meetings civil society bill, media council Ministries and policy makers organised by CSOs bill, information and technology to provide suggestions on on organisation bill in coordination with NGO the draft bill from CSOs registration act. federation, other likeminded Society and Civic Space perspectives as a CSOs and National Human member of AIN. Rights Institutions (NHRIs).

IM work together with civil society organization in to set up and run Design Center, Trade Facilitation their roles to represent, defend and promote the rights Unit and Export House. of marginalized individuals and communities. For this, IM supported its partners for their institutional development, strengthening organizational capacity SWAN, Land Rights Forum, CSRC are strategically and networking with various level likeminded CSOs. working together to influence the government to IM also collaborated with ecosystem partner like adopt and implement pro-poor land related policies. NGO Federation (NFN), Beyond Beijing Committee The strategic relation between rights holders CSOs (BBC), Human Rights Alliance (HRA), National and partners is also strengthened. For example, Indigenous Women's Federation (NIWF) and SWAN and Land Rights Forum (LRF) are working Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association together to promote land rights, IRDC and ESCR Nepal (FWEAN) to promote localization of Network is working together to promote gender Sustainable Development Goals, gender equality and equality, action against violence against women. social inclusion, rights to economic inclusion, and to advocate against shrinking civic space.

IM and our partners JURI Nepal, JMC, SSDC Achievements in 2019 together with the ecosystem partner NGO Federation, Human Rights Alliance, GOGO All 8 IM partners have updated their strategic Foundation, National Youth Advocacy Forum, plan, policies and system through IM’s support in Amnesty International Nepal, ESCR network, 2019. SEED and JMC prepared new strategic plan. National Human Rights Commission, Federation of SEED, JMC, JuRI, and MADE have developed Nepali Journalist, lawyers groups and human rights Planning Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting defenders dialogued with the government on draft (PMER) system. IRDC prepared shared cost policy civic space related policies. Such as organization and conflict sensitivity policy . SWAN prepared registration act, social development bill, media and started implementing updated HR policy, council bill, information and technology bill and procurement policy and Anti-corruption Policy. amendment of National Human Rights Commission JMC started implementing updated Admin/Finance act. policy, Code of Conduct, shared cost policy, and Anti-Corruption Policy. FTG revised HR policy, formulated anti-corruption policy and started JMC and JURI Nepal engaged with and supported implementing these policies. MADE has updated NGO federation to develop a CSOs position on GESI policy, and conflict sensitivity policy. Likewise, draft civil society related laws and shrinking space all partners have Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) in a consultative way so that all the CSOs across the guideline in place and have increased their capacity country have same voice regarding CSOs operating on environment and climate change. environment. JMC also continuously raised the civic space issues through its media platforms like; Katuwal radio programme, Jagaran Media online Due to this improved system, policies and internal news portal and social media pages. governance; MADE, IRDC, JMC and JuRI received funds from different donors. FTG received fund National level CSOs dialouge on Civic Space. from Trade and Export Promotion Centre (TEPC) Photo by JMC

22 – Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 – 23 Livelihoods Improvement of Indigenous Tharu communities through Effective Pond Management

Funded by The Charitable Foundation (TCF) Australia

IM and IRDC have been implementing the project with the financial support of The Charitable Foundation (TCF) Australia since 2019 with a goal to contribute in reducing poverty of the marginalized communities through demonstrating improved management of existing resources. The outcome of the project is to improve livelihoods of the targeted farmers through sustainable management of ponds, crop diversification and commercialization demonstrating the climate resilient livelihoods model. The project is being implemented in Barkalpur and Tingharwa community of Buddhabhumi Municipality in Province 5 of Nepal.

Achievements in 2019

Increased water volume of the ponds: De-silting of pond, and construction of embankment, inlets and outlets have contributed to increase water volume of the both ponds by 50 %. Farmers started fish farming in both ponds, and more water was available for farmers for cultivating winter crops including maize, and vegetables. Established farmers Increased institutions: Project formed 19 groups comprising of 413 farmers access of the including 380 female in both the farmers to services: communities. Farmers developed the Due to project support, 305 farmers business plan of fish farming and maize started cultivating improved maize, farming, and accordingly farmers are onion, and seasonal vegetables. Output 1: Expected results Output 2: farming fish and maize. Similarly, both Similarly, 34 farmers established 34 Increased volume of water of the project Increased access of communities developed payback demonstration plots of maize, onion, and enhanced efficiency farmers to inputs, and turmeric in both the communities. mechanism for paying back the of water use through services, market money utilized in rehabilitation Access of the farmers increased to improvement of pond and and finance for of the pond. services provided by the different stakeholders including local water distribution system commercial farming government, and Office of the Fish Zone.” Output 3: Establishment of farmers’ institutions for sustainability and capacity building of farmers for replication

24 – Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 – 25 Enhancing Citizen's Participation in Sub-National Good Governance (Local and Provincial Level) in the context of the New Federal System in Nepal Funded by the European Union Enhancing Citizens' Participation in Sub- Achievements 2019 National Good Governance (Local and Provincial Level) in the Context of the New Forming Community Groups Federal System in Nepal’ is a four-year The project brought together formal and non- European Commission funded governance formal grassroots organizations (like Mothers' Groups, Farmers Groups, Youth Clubs, School project implemented in three districts Management Committees (SMC), Parents of Karnali province by a consortium of Teachers Associations (PTA), Health Facility five organizations. Sahakarmi Samaj (SS) Operation and Management Committees from Kohalpur, Banke is the lead of this (HFOMC), Listening Discussion and Action Groups (LDAG), WASH Coordination Committees consortium project and also the key (WASH-CCs) from all12 working Palikas to implementer of the project in Kalikot form community groups. The basic objective of and Jajarkot districts. Dalit Development community groups is to mobilise Dalit, youths, Society (DDS) has a key role to implement marginalised and minorities and enhance their participation at the local governance the project in Salyan district. Center and intervene in the issues of agriculture, for Dalit Women Nepal (CDWN) has a education, health and WASH through their role to implement the local government active participation. The members were oriented capacity building activities in-terms of about the project and the importance of citizen's role in governance as an individual and groups inclusive planning, Gender Equality and using Facilitation and Empowerment for Social Social Inclusion (GESI)/gender responsive Transformation (FEST) approach. planning and budgeting, and supporting local government to develop GESI friendly planning, implementing and monitoring Advocacy Training guidelines. IM Swedish Development IM Swedish Development Partner conducted Partner (IM) plays the roles of providing a 3-day advocacy training for the consortium project team from November 11-13, 2019 at technical support and capacity building Surkhet. The main objective of the training to the consortium members on human was to build the knowledge, understanding rights-based approach, GESI and conflict and confidence of the project team on sensitivity mainstreaming, environment concept and types of advocacy, skills on using different participatory tools like problem mainstreaming and thematic technical tree analysis, power mapping, context support on agriculture and education analysis, issues analysis, advocacy message areas. Tdh have a role to provide technical development, developing influencing skills, support and capacity building to the strategies and developing advocacy strategies. consortium members on WASH, health and youth related thematic after areas, and Workshop on Inclusive Planning Tdh is also the lead in implementing ICT Elected representatives from local government solutions for good governance. In addition, attended workshop on Inclusive Planning and IM and Tdh contributes the project with Gender Responsive Budgeting that motivates five per cent co-finance from each of the and influence them to develop their plan and budget from inclusion perspectives. organizations.

26 – Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 – 27 Achievements 2019

Social Accountability Tools Leadership Training for women, The objective is to build the understandings ethnic, Dalit representatives of the elected representatives and officials A total of 100 elected representatives on social accountability tools, types of social including Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Dalit women accountability tools and the importance of its and women ward members were trained on use for promoting accountable governance and leadership skills and their role as effective citizen's participation in governance process. leaders in the society. Center for Dalit Women In total, 166 local government representatives Nepal organized the three-day leadership and officials received the orientation. The training to women, ethnic and Dalit elected officials committed to orient the ward level representatives in three palikas (Bheri, representatives and officials about social Shivalaya and Chhedgad Palikas) of Jajarkot accountability tools and to implement the district with the support of Sahakarmi Samaj. maximum number of tools in coming days.

Human Rights Based Approach, Training on Civic Space Governance, Accountability, GESI Civic space training focused on awareness A five-day training on ‘Human Rights-Based building of the community groups about Approach, Governance, Accountability and The different types civic spaces ensured by Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)’ constitutional provisions for citizens in the was organized by IM Swedish Development country was conducted by Sahakarmi Samaj Partner in July. The participants of the training and Dalit Development Society. The one- were the project staffs of the consortium day training, conducted in Sidda Kumakh members. The main objective of the training and Triveni Palikas of Salyan district and was to build a common understanding, knowledge and confidence of consortium Khadachakra and Sanni Triveni Palikas of members project team on Human Rights Based Kalikot district, was The training was focused Approach, governance, accountability and on raising awareness on the importance of GESI. It was also aimed to build knowledge, civic space to ensure participation and access skills and clarity of project team including of the women, marginalised, Dalit and minority community facilitators to use governance and groups in the decision making process, services accountability tools at the community level. The and resources, and develop a good functioning training also emphasizes to build awareness with the duty bearers. and knowledge of the participants about the national laws, policies and mechanisms that promotes civic space and good governance at the federal structure. Youth Forum for Governance A ward-level youth conference was conducted from which 72 representatives were selected to form youth governance forum. The conference encouraged youth to take part in leadership programmes and discussed about opportunities, challenges and youth-related policies and procedures in the country. Photo Human Rights Based Advocacy and Gender Economic Social Inclusion Training

28 – Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 – 29 Financial Statement for FY 2019

Currency in NPR

Programmes Expense Amount %

Social Inclusion 23,693,040 29%

Economic Inclusion 31,014,102 38%

CSO and Partner Eco System 2,179,788 3%

Program Management, Research & Evaluation 5,499,843 7%

Total Program Cost (A) 62,386,773 77%

Administration Cost (B) 18,189,971 23%

Total Cost (A+B) in NPR 80,576,744 100%

Total Cost (A+B) in USD 732,516

23% 29%

7%

3%

Social Inclusion 38% Economic Inclusion

CSO and Partner Eco System

Program Management, Research & Evaluation

Administration Cost

30 – Annual Report 2019 Annual Report 2019 – 31 Nepal ANNUAL REPORT & ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

Address : Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal Contact (Off) : +977-01-5551419

imsweden.org32 – Annual Report 2019