Page 1 of 7 FORWARD Bulletin – 17 May 01, 2019 – July 16, 2019

Patronage: Netra Pratap Sen, Executive Director Publication Committee: Mr. Ram Krishna Neupane Ms. Ashmita Pandey

FORWARD Nepal’s Bulletin representatives and municipal staff were capacitated on annual participatory planning The 17th issue of FORWARD Nepal's Bulletin covers the processes (PPP) of local government through three major activities and events from 01st May to 16th July days long workshop (six events). The workshop 2019. During the period, two projects funded by Plan helped to realize the role of elected representatives International Nepal were phased out 1) "Strengthening and staff on sectoral, and participatory planning Community Resilience through WASH & DRR", and 2) process (five sectors). "Girls and Boys start live equally". In this reporting period, submission of project concept notes/project . Access to credit facilities and revolving funds to proposals has been continued as usual. producers' groups: Revolving fund to the farmers’ group, to access the finance for agricultural Major project activities during the period improvement, was established in the eight 1. Under the project entitled "Regional Programme for cooperatives (three in municipality, three in promoting a multi‐sectoral approach for Nutrition Kalyanpur municipality and four in Smart Villages in Bangladesh, Nepal and India", municipality), after signing MoU with the co‐ implemented jointly with FORWARD Nepal and operatives. Those co‐operatives will provide soft Aasman Nepal, following activities were carried out: loan to the project beneficiaries. . Training on a participatory planning process: Two . Capacity building on repair and maintenance of slots of training on participatory planning process agricultural equipment: Forty‐one entrepreneurs was organized during 16‐21 May 2019 at Paroha were developed by organizing five days of repair and Municipality, Rautahat. A total of 70 participants maintenance training of agricultural equipment, in were present in the training including 18 female three slots. There are 20, 11, and 10 such trained participants. The training was important to run the people in Siraha, Kalyanpur, and Karjanha seven steps planning process in an effective way. Municipalities respectively. 2. Under the project entitled "Building livelihood . Introduced the climate‐smart crop varieties and resilience and nutrition security in the Kamala River technology in riverbed farming: Agriculture Basin, , Nepal", the following activities Technician of the project provisioned technical were carried out: services on nutrition management, irrigation and pest management of riverbed crops especially . Project sharing to district level stakeholders: A focused on watermelon. Project supported 16 water district level project sharing meeting was organized pumps (six solar water lifting pumps and 10 electric on May 16, 2019 by the District Coordination water lifting pumps) and 19 automatic sprayer Committee (DCC), Siraha in the chairmanship of DCC machines to the 16 riverbed farming groups. It has Chief, Siraha. Mayors of Karjanha, Kalyanpur, Chief benefited 331 riverbed farming families of the District Officer, and security personnel’ and other Kamala river basin. district level government officials had participated in the meeting. Project team updated the status of . Construction / rehabilitation of small‐scale the project progress in the last six months and plan infrastructure: Construction of five market‐shed of the upcoming period to the team. The meeting cum emergency shelter house is underway in has also formed a district level project monitoring Bandipur and Karjanha of Karjanha Municipality, team in the leadership of District Coordination Chikana and Prashahi of Kalyanpur Municipality, and Committee Chief. The members of the committee Sarswar of Siraha Municipality. Foundation works will be District Administrative Office and Mayor and were completed in all five sites including the setting Chief Executive Officer of the respective project of post and trusses. Construction work up to plinth municipality. A total of 28 people took part in the levels has been accomplished in Kalyanpur‐5 and meeting. Karjanha‐11. To ensure construction work, user committees were formed in each site including . Capacity building on annual participatory planning monitoring committee under the leadership of process: Two hundred ninety‐two elected respective ward chairperson. Procurement of Address: Bharatpur-2, Kshetrapur, Chitwan Contact No.: +977 (0) 56 527734, 527623 Email: [email protected] ; [email protected] P.O. Box: 11 (Bhp.) Page 2 of 7 materials has been accomplished including Program Officer of Dairy project, FORWARD Nepal, fabrication of trusses for all sites. participated in an Annual Progress Review and Planning Meeting of the project from 8‐10 May . Set up irrigation facilities: A channel gate installation 2019 at Practical Action's cluster office, Bharatpur. is in progress in Karjanha‐8, Gautadi. It supports to Ms. Bijaya Bajracharya (Head ‐ Program Delivery), improve the access of irrigation water to 126 HHs Ms. Renuka Rai (GESI Specialist), Mr. Bhim Kumar for increased farm production and productivity. Shrestha (M&E Manager), Mr. Sharad Adhikari . Coordination with local governments: Three six (Program Manager) and Mr. Laxman Pandey (Admin monthly coordination meetings were organized to and Finance Officer) participated on behalf of share the project progress among local Practical Action. governments in each project municipalities. There . Progress review and planning at sub‐national level: were 99 participants in the coordination meetings. Six interaction programs (one each in all the working There was the participation of Mayor, Deputy‐ sites of the project) were organized by the project Mayor, Chief Executive Officer, and other staff of among local governments officials (i.e. officers of municipalities and the project. FORWARD Nepal the rural/urban municipality and livestock service presented the progress achieved during the last six sections), local technology suppliers (agro‐vets, months and the plan (activity and financial) of the livestock technicians), dairy cooperatives and dairy project for the remaining period to the participants. farmers to share the project's achievement of the . Participatory situation and vulnerability analysis of last fiscal year, as well as to get feedback from the agriculture sector: The project is in concluding stakeholders for the better implementation of the phase on the study of participatory situation and project in second and third fiscal years. vulnerability analysis of the agriculture sector of . Stakeholders' interaction for breed‐resource centre project municipalities in Siraha district. The research establishment: Three interaction programs (one findings were shared and validated by one day each in Chitwan, Nawalpur and Makwanpur) among workshop in Siraha, Kalyanpur, and Karjanha the dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives and Livestock Municipalities in participation of Mayor, Deputy Service Sections of the local governments for Mayor, members of municipality, and thematic establishment of breed resource centres at all the section’s head or representatives of municipalities. working sites of the project. Total 75 people including 10 women attended the workshop. . Forage seedlings support: The project distributed a total of 5,750 cuttings of Super Napier and 23 kg of . Household targeting based on tablet/mobile based Palpa Stylo to the dairy farmers through 25 software: To establish community‐based farmers cooperatives of Chitwan, Nawalpur and groups, household targeting survey has been Makwanpur, as a part of demonstration of improved conducted by setting beneficiary targeting criteria production technology. and using mobile/tablet based Akvo Flow software. Apan Sangi (change agents) of respective wards 4. Under the "School Safety Initiative for Strengthening completed data entry of 44 wards, out of 45 project Community Resilience to Disaster in Sunsari working wards, covering more than 14 thousand (SCRSSI)" Project, the following activities were HHs. The data processing has been completed for 31 carried out: Wards in this reporting period. . Capacity development to stakeholders on safe . Baseline study of the project: FORWARD Nepal has school and gender equality: Three‐day training was led to conduct baseline and knowledge, attitude and organized in four secondary schools in participation practice (KAP) survey of the project. The final draft of the students representing different clubs, School report of baseline and knowledge, attitude and Management Committee (SMC), Head Teachers, practice study for the project has been prepared PTA, and Ward Representatives. The training mainly and shared to consortium partners. Before the final focused on the essentials of the comprehensive draft preparation, a meeting was organized to share school safety framework, the indicators of safe baseline results among 13 staff of consortium school, gender equality and transformation as a partners on April 29, 2019, wherein baseline and cross cutting issue and also on the methodologies to indicators for each result were discussed. be adopted to ensure the safety and resilience of schools. A total of 41 participants including 14 3. Under the "Dairy for Development in Nepal" project, females were actively involved in the theoretical the following activities were carried out: and practical group work and presentation sessions . Annual progress review and planning: Mr. Rishikesh to enhance their skill and understanding on safe and Dhakal, Program Manager, Dr. Subhash Chaudhary, resilient school endorsed by gender transformation. Project Coordinator, and Dr. Swotantra Dangi, . Capacity building on disaster and climate risk Address: Bharatpur-2, Kshetrapur, Chitwan Contact No.: +977 (0) 56 527734, 527623 Email: [email protected] ; [email protected] P.O. Box: 11 (Bhp.) Page 3 of 7 assessment with a gender lenses: Three days and facilitation was provided by FORWARD Nepal training on disaster and climate risk assessment with and Plan International Nepal. The inception meeting a gender lens training to children, teachers were was conducted on 8th June at Ramdhuni in organized in targeted five schools. In total, 68 participation of 34 participants from the children and teachers were trained on municipality including the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, disaster/climate risk assessment and gender Chief Administrative Officer, and Focal Person for analysis on climate change/disaster scenario DRR in municipality, and Education Officer to including vulnerability and capacity assessment provide uniform understanding of the objectives, (VCA) of school. Five events have been completed in time line, implementation modality and roles and targeted five schools. responsibilities of all stakeholders. . Update of school improvement plan (SIP) with . Vulnerability and capacity assessment (VCA) of school DRR: Supports were provided to five schools municipalities: Two‐day workshop was organized in namely, Auliya Secondary School Barahachhetra‐1, each ward (nine wards) of Barahachhetra Janak Secondary School Barahachetra‐8, Saraswati Municipality during April and May 2019. Relevant Secondary School Barahachetra‐4, Suryakunda Basic information on vulnerability and capacity School Barahachhetra‐1, Suryakunda Basic School assessment of the wards were gathered from Barahachhetra‐1, and Chandrakamal Secondary community people. Trained volunteers were School Ramdhuni ‐ 8 to update the school mobilized and supervised during its preparation and improvement plan (SIP). In this context, education facilitation. They provided training on DRR, CCA and coordination committee of respective municipality VCA. There were 470 participants in the workshops facilitated to conduct one‐day SIP update and wherein VCA report was prepared and shared with review workshop and its documentation. the chairperson for discussion and approval from Altogether, 122 participants involving girls, boys, the ward level elected bodies. female and male teachers, members of school . VCA sharing and planning: A one‐day workshop was management committee were involved in the conducted in the project working wards, after the event. Each targeted school has SIP with School DRR VCA workshop, during 7‐13 June 2019, for the with integrated plan for safe school and gender preparation of the ward‐level DRR plan. Altogether equality. 248 community people participated in the ward . First Aid and Responders (FA) development and level DRR planning process at Barahachhetra community‐based search and rescue: Orientation Municipality. on the basic first aid and first responder was . Workshop on validation of VCA in municipality: After provided to 25 people from targeted schools on 22‐ the preparation of VCA in each ward, a one‐day 23 May at Janak Secondary School Barahachetra‐8 workshop on VCA validation was organized in in facilitation of Nepal Red Cross Society, Sunsari. municipality level on 28 June 2019 at During the period, mock drill on the safety method, Barahachhetra. In the workshop, VCA report was prevention skills and first aid and rescue process on shared and discussion was made on the hazard, risk earthquake was conducted in Auliya School at and VCA findings. Municipality level hazard and Barahachhetra Municipality. Altogether, 356 hazard ranking, the risk profile of the ward, data participants were involved in the event. collection method and sources of data were . Video production: A nine minutes long action‐ discussed in the workshop. Thirty‐seven people oriented video of SCRSSI project was produced on including Mayor Deputy Mayor, Chief Executive the basis of accomplished activities and its impact. Officer, DRR focal Person and Ward Chairpersons participated in the workshop. . Inception Meeting in Municipalities: At the beginning of the project, inception meeting was . LDCRP planning and prioritization workshop: organized in Ramdhuni Municipality. In the meeting, Trained people were mobilized on LDCRP planning the project objectives, interventions, budget, legal and prioritization workshop held on 29 June 2019 at way of LDCRP making process, and step of the VCA Barahachhetra wherein 33 people including to final document were shared among stakeholders. municipality level elected bodies were participated. The workshop was facilitated by the Project Half‐day inception meeting was organized at Coordinator. The workshop focused on ward‐ level Barahachhetra and Ramdhuni Municipality to planning and identification of various activities for introduce the objective of developing gender preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery sensitive LDCRP and CDCRP including the working for major disaster and thematic plan for local CCA modality. The municipalities were to lead the overall and DRR. The project team encouraged to include development of local disaster and climate resilient activities for climate smart safe school with especial plan, whereas all the necessary technical support focus on gender imbalance in LDCRP. Discussions Address: Bharatpur-2, Kshetrapur, Chitwan Contact No.: +977 (0) 56 527734, 527623 Email: [email protected] ; [email protected] P.O. Box: 11 (Bhp.) Page 4 of 7 were held on gender matrix and groups ward in financing (loan lending by financial institutions) in gender analysis tools. agricultural sector. The techcards of trout farming is yet to be finalized. The tech cards include monthly . Documentation of WDCRP/LDCRP and risk profile of cash flow requirement by each agricultural activity municipalities and communities and LDCRP: Ward‐ of the specified crop; and production cycle of level risk profile of municipalities was prepared and livestock by farmers, by producers' category, with shared with ward and municipality. Similarly, risk calculation of return over the investment. profile and LDCRP draft also prepared and shared to LDMC Municipality elected bodies. . Capacity building AT: Training materials on good agricultural practices (GAP) on selected crops and . Support LDMC, CBDMC and School to develop first animal types have been developed for organizing aid volunteers for first responder (4 days): 24 Training of Trainers (TOT) to staffs of partner banks community young people were trained on first aid and private industries. The schedule of TOT training and prepared as first responder of the both has been finalized and FORWARD Nepal will conduct municipalities. Municipality level network of the first follow up activities after the completion of TOTs. responders with 13 members was formed in present of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor at Barahachhetra. Training/Workshop/Meeting/Visits The training was conducted with the help of district . Quarterly Meeting and Revision of Sustainable chapter of Nepal Red Cross Society as per its Integrated Farming System (SIFS) Manual: Dr. mandate. At the end of the training, five squads of Bedanand Chaudhary, Project Coordinator, Mr. first responders to disaster have been developed Deependra Adhikari, Agriculture Specialist and Mr. with certification of volunteer for first aid. The Ram Dayal Tharu, Admin and Account Officer from training has facilitated each school. FORWARD Nepal participated in the 2nd quarterly . Partnership assessment by Plan International Nepal: meeting at Gaur, Rautahat. The following day Annual partnership assessment of FORWARD onward the team worked on finalization of Nepal's was run by Plan International Nepal on 8th Curriculum for SIFS PLA, revision and finalization of July 2019. Ms. Pooja Shrestha, Mr. Om Shrestha, SIFS manual, preparation of NSV project flyer and and Mr. Nooma Dhakal facilitated the assessment check lists of NERP and LANN+ from 24‐28 June process, while Mr. Pankaj Chaudhari, Mr. Suraj 2019. The team finalized the curriculum, first, and Khanal, and Mr. Lokendra Khadka contributed from based on it, worked on each session of SIFS manual FORWARD Nepal. meticulously to revise and finalize. The team . Annual Programme Review Reflection: Plan decided to share the final draft of SIFS curriculum International Nepal organized annual programme and manual to get approval from Mr. Sushil Ghimire, review and reflection meeting during 20‐21 June Programme Manager, WHH for publication. The 2019. FORWARD Nepal participated in the meeting team also prepared final version of NSV project flyer of Plan International Nepal Field Office at Itahari and and checklists for NERP and LANN+. presented report on the SSI Project, DRM project, . Provincial level interaction for Disaster Risk Girls Agency project and Child Sponsor project of Reduction (DRR): Mr. Bed Prasad Bhurtel, Project Sunsari. Mr. Lokendra Khadka, Program Coordinator, participated in the provincial level Coordinator, Mr. Suraj Khanal, Program Officer, and interaction for DRR in Janakpur, province no. 2. The other field office team members, namely Mr. Pankaj interaction was organized by Federal Ministry of Chaudhari, Ms. Sabita Biswas, Ms. Reena Majhi, and Home Affairs and provincial government with Mr. Deepak Paswan, participated in the gallery support from DFID and UN agencies. Two DRR presentation of annul review program. Overall guidelines i.e. disaster preparedness and response organizational presentation and progress of planning guideline, 2076 and disaster relief implemented projects were highlighted in the standard, 2076 were presented, discussed and event. reviewed in the interaction programme. 5. Sustainable Economic Development of Rural areas . District Coordinator (DC) and Project Coordinators' (SEDRA): (PC) monthly meeting: Mr. Bed Prasad Bhurtel, . Development of the agricultural tech‐cards: Project Coordinator, participated in DCs' and PCs' FORWARD Nepal provided Agricultural Expertise on monthly meeting of WHH’s NGO partners on June crops and livestock tech‐cards development to 18, 2019, and April 26, 2019 in Siraha and , Business and Finance Consulting. During the Siraha, respectively. These meetings were initiated reporting period, crop farming tech‐cards of 17 for making effective coordination, collaboration and crops, and animal farming tech cards of five animal synergy between WHH’s NGO partners. types (Beekeeping, yak, buffalo, pig, sheep and goat) . Participation on meeting of the humanitarian have been developed to facilitate value chain organization on DRR: Mr. Krishna Bahadur Bhandari, Address: Bharatpur-2, Kshetrapur, Chitwan Contact No.: +977 (0) 56 527734, 527623 Email: [email protected] ; [email protected] P.O. Box: 11 (Bhp.) Page 5 of 7 Internal Audit and Monitoring Officer (IAMO) Mr. Sudarshan Bist, Agriculture Officer participated participated in a national level meeting of the in the 3rd IFAD Project Review Meeting held at humanitarian organization on DRR on 16 June 2019 Bhubaneswor, Odisha, India during 1‐5 July 2019. In at Sauraha, Chitwan. The programme was organized the meeting, progress updates of the activities by Li‐Bird and NPP. implemented during 2016/17 to 2018/19 were presented by different partners from Bangladesh, . Technical/general staff meeting: A India and Nepal. The achievements included technical/general staff meeting was held on 16 July research and demonstration results. The presenters 2019 at FORWARD Nepal's head office where all also highlighted progress on capacity building of the Head Office staff and some project staff attended stakeholders on production and processing aspects the meeting. Prof. Dr. Madhav Kumar Shrestha, of pulses, and strengthening capacity & capabilities Chairperson and Mr. Yam Bahadur Thapa, Founder of Village‐based Seed Enterprises (VBSEs) for Member were also present in the meeting. ensuring production and supply of quality seeds of . Meeting of Executive Committee of FORWARD pulses. Financial statement was also shared by each Nepal: The meeting was held on 16 July 2019 at the partner. All partners shared work plan with Head Office, Chitwan. The meeting reviewed the proposed activities and location to be implemented ongoing projects/programs implemented by the for the coming year (2019/2020). The meeting was organization in various districts. Implementation of followed by a field trip to the rain‐fed rice fallow new rules of Nepal Government on Social Security system in Odisha. for employees at FORWARD Nepal, annual audit of . Mr. Ram Krishna Neupane participated in the 2075/76 account, removal of old unserviceable conference on “Role of provincial and municipal assets, closing of FORWARD Consultancy Pvt. Ltd, governments in developing market systems” formation of a new Editorial Board, land use plan of organized by Market Development Forum Nepal FORWARD Nepal at Bharatpur Metropolitan city – 4, (MDFN) on 14th June 2019 at Airport Hotel were discussed and suggestions/directions were Kathmandu. Hon. Dawa Dorje Lama, Minister for provided to the management team for the Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives, necessary actions. Province 3, was the chief guest in the event chaired Conference/Visits by Dr. Yogendra K. Karki, Secretary, Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture & Cooperatives, Province . Mr. Netra Pratap Sen, Executive Director No 3. The conference was attended by Chairpersons participated in the GIZ workshop on Inclusive of Municipalities in Province 3, private companies, Development of Economy Program closing and market actors, INGOs, and NGOs. In the occasion, launch of Local and Provincial Economy Dr. Luke Colavito from iDE Nepal welcomed the Development Project on 9th May 2019 at participants and informed that SDC and Sahaj Kathmandu. project facilitated MDFN, a loose organization with . • Mr. Ram Krishna Neupane, Programme 23 members as of now. He suggested Municipalities Director, participated in the Preliminary Mid‐term to mobilize resources for market system Review of Nepal’s Seed Vision 2013‐2025 and development (MSD) and formulation of the policies Validation Workshop on Hybrid Seed Production in support of private sectors. In the occasion, issues Guidelines organized jointly by Seed Quality Control like wealth tax concentration at the centre; multiple Centre (SQCC) and CIMMYT during 2‐3 July 2019 at taxes, uncontrolled taxes, and budget allocated for Summit Hotel, Lalitpur. The participants were agriculture development channel to roads updated on the current status of the national seed construction in some municipalities were discussed vision based on its performance. The workshop felt in details and suggestions were made for the that the responsibility for implementation of removal of multiple and unconstitutional taxes, National Seed Vision was not clearly stated in the technical skills up scaling, participatory value chain document, and this has resulted in development, and capacity enhancement of local underperformance of targeted outputs such as Government on tax education. The meeting development of Hybrids. This was followed by suggested for harmonization of policy of the three meeting on the validation of draft hybrid seeds Governments (Local, Provincial and Federal), production and certification guidelines. After a flexibility of stakeholders at local level support, and thorough discussion among scientists, seed grant support for small farmer aggregation in the companies, and government personnel, hybrid seed context of sustaining Market System Development production and certification guidelines for maize, (MSD). Hon. Dawa Dorge Lama, Minister for Land rice and vegetables were validated. Management, Agriculture & Cooperatives expressed that the government was positive for the . Dr. Bedananda Chaudhary, Project Coordinator and development of agricultural sector and assured to

Address: Bharatpur-2, Kshetrapur, Chitwan Contact No.: +977 (0) 56 527734, 527623 Email: [email protected] ; [email protected] P.O. Box: 11 (Bhp.) Page 6 of 7 implement the recommendations of the conference (CSA) visited FORWARD Nepal on 3 May 2019 to through policy reforms and other supports. document the impact of CSA run training. They . Mr. Ram Krishna Neupane participated in the 28th made one to one interview to Mr. Netra Pratap Anniversary of Nepal Agricultural Research Council Sen, Executive Director, Mr. Ram Krishna (NARC) on 8th May 2019 at Nepal Army Officers Neupane, Programme Director, and Mr. Rishikesh Club, Kathmandu. State Minister, Ministry of Dhakal, Programme Manager in Kathmandu. Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ms. Ram . Mr. Netra Pratap Sen, Executive Director, and Mr. Kumari Chaudhary was the chief Guest of the event Rishikesh Dhakal, Programme Manager, chaired by Agriculture Secretary, Dr. Yubak Dhoj GC. FORWARD Nepal visited Rautahat, Saptari and Member of planning commission, Director General Siraha district to review the project progresses, of Agriculture, former Executive Directors, retired facilitation for project implementation, and field and working NARC Scientists, and heads and observation under WHH funded Siraha livelihood representatives of different organizations, CIMMYT, INGOs, NGOs, farmers’ representatives and Media project and nutrition smart village (NSV) project personnel were present in the occasion. The during last week of May 2019. It's observed that progress achievement of NARC and videos of NARC FORWARD Nepal and Aasaman Nepal are working highlights were presented. In the occasion, closely at field level to achieve the project target. progressive farmers of seven provinces were Participants were happy from the ongoing honoured for their efforts in adoption and use of capacity building event on micro‐planning NARC promoted technologies. Similarly, selected process in Rautahat and river bed farming (RBF) scientists were recognized for their excellent on the Kamala river basin in Siraha. research works/outputs. Suggestions were made to . Mr. Netra Pratap Sen and Mr. Rishikesh Dhakal make NARC more responsive to the needs of visited the SCRSSI Project on 23‐24 May 2019 and farmers and a greater collaboration among monitored some of the project activities research, education and extension. implemented in Barahachhetra Municipality in . Mr. Lokendra Bahadur Khadka, Project Coordinator, Chakraghatti. During the visit, the team paid a SCRSSI project, Sunsari has participated in a courtesy visit to the Mayor of above municipality, workshop on Learning Event on Inclusion and attended a project partnership review meeting at Influencing in Safe School programming, organized Plan International Nepal, Field Office, Itahari. by Plan International from 28‐30 May 2019, in Bangkok, Thailand. . Mr. Ram Dayal Tharu, Admin Officer visited FORWARD Nepal Regional Office, Itahari on 05 . Mr. Ram Krishna Neupane, Program Director June, 2019 to facilitate the staff selection process. participated in the project learning and sharing Interview of Account Officer and Social Mobilizer workshop organized by ADRA Nepal on 8th July of SCRSSI project. It was conducted in the 2019, in Lalitpur, Kathmandu. In the workshop, lessons learnt from two projects, Good Governance presence of Ms. Pooja Shrestha from Plan and Livelihood (GOAL) and Building Resilience to International Nepal. In addition, progress updates Disaster Effected Communities (BURDAN) of ongoing projects were discussed along with the implemented by ADRA Nepal were shared among closing of wash DRM project. project stakeholders. . A staff meeting of Plan‐FORWARD Partnership . Mr. Sushil Ghimire, Programme Manager, WHH projects was also held on 24 May 2019 at visited Nutrition Smart Village (NSV) project sites in FORWARD Nepal's Branch Office, Itahari and Saptari during 8‐9 July 2019. First day, he was project update was presented by Mr. Lokendra briefed on NSV Project activities in the Office at Bahadur Khadka, PC of SCRSSI project and Mr. Rajbiraj. Mr. Ghimire visited Jhukti, Nargho and Suraj Khanal, PO, SCR project whereas Mr. Pankaj Malekpur of Saptari district. During the trip, he Kumar Chaudhary, Finance Officer shared the observed and interacted to NERP Camp, Health financial status of each project. Post, FCHVs, Social Mobilizers (SM), EGL, and Barefoot Planners. SIFS trained EGLs established the . Mr. Rishikesh Dhakal, Programme Manager had model farm with diversified vegetables and fruit visited livelihood project office in April 2019. He trees in the homestead garden. Mr. Ghimire get has also observed workshop on participatory acquainted on the progresses in field, and suggested planning process at Siraha Municipality. to work closely with EGLs to make business plan and . WHH organized and facilitated four days training start developing model farm. on 'procurement and finance management . Two consultants hired by Civil Society Academy training to its partners' from 28 to 31 May 2019 in

Address: Bharatpur-2, Kshetrapur, Chitwan Contact No.: +977 (0) 56 527734, 527623 Email: [email protected] ; [email protected] P.O. Box: 11 (Bhp.) Page 7 of 7 Nagarkot, Kavre in participation of Project Focal from 10 July 2019. Persons, Project Coordinators, and Account News Officers. There was the participation of four organizations including FORWARD Nepal. Mr. . Agricultural Exhibition and Farmer's Fair 2076 at Rishikesh Dhakal, Programme Manager, Mr. Bed AFU, Rampur: The fair was organized at AFU Prasad Bhurtel, Project Coordinator and Mr. Dig Rampur, Chitwan during 15‐18 June 2019. It was Bijaya Dhakal, Finance Officer from Siraha inaugurated by former Prime Minister and President Livelihood Project, and Mr. Ram Dayal Tharu, of Nepal Communist Party (NCP), Mr. Puspa Kamal Finance Officer from nutrition smart village Dahal and Chaired by Vice Chancellor of AFU, Dr. I P Dhakal. FORWARD Nepal decorated the allotted stall project, from FORWARD Nepal had attended this with different posters, SIFS model display, hanging training. vegetable garden, solar irrigation pump and display . Project steering committee meeting of WHH of its publications. Posters included different flip funded projects was organized on 1 June 2019 in charts, sustainable integrated farming system with Nagarkot, Kavre, in participation of Programme relevant messages, brief introduction of FORWARD Managers, Admin and Finance Manager, and Nepal, riverbed farming, and nutrient expert tool. Account Officer of WHH; Executive Directors, SIFS model was prepared using art materials and Programme Managers, and PCs of Partner explained the integration of different sub‐systems Organizations to share the project status and and components. This showed mainly a combination speeding up the processes. Mr. Netra Pratap Sen, of crops, horticulture and animal husbandry. The Executive Director, Mr. Rishikesh Dhakal, event had a huge crowd with students, experts and farmers. More than 300 participants visited every Programme Manager, and Mr. Bed Prasad day. Despite hot sunny days, the fair was very Bhurtel, Project Coordinator participated in the effective and encouraging. meeting, and Account Officers of NPL‐1059 and NPL‐1058 projects Mr. Dig Bijay Dhakal and Mr. Some Glimpses Ram Dayal Tharu, respectively, had also attended the meeting in the financial discussion part of the projects. The meeting was run in two consecutive sessions and some crucial decisions were made. Staffing  Staff termination/resignation . Farewell programme of staff was organized on 6th July 2019 in Regional Office of FORWARD Nepal, Itahari, Sunsari. Since two projects phased out and services of the following staff were also terminated: Ms. Rina Kumari Majhi, Social Mobilizer (SCRSSI Agri-Exhibition at AFU, Rampur, Chitwan Project), Mr. Deepak Paswan – Social Mobilizer (SCR through DRM & WASH), Ms. Sabita Bishwas – Social

Mobilizer (SCR through DRM & WASH) & Mr. Pankaj Chaudhary (Finance Officer). . Mr. Hari Prakash Gupta resigned from the position of Agriculture Officer of Siraha Livelihood Project with effect from 17th July 2019 due to his personal problem. In approval of the resignation of Mr. Gupta, the staff member of the Plan‐FORWARD partnership project, Mr. Suraj Khanal was transferred from Morang to Siraha district, for the vacant post of Agriculture Officer. Mr. Khanal joined the project on 23rd July 2019.

 New staff Third Review and Planning Meeting of IFAD ICARDA Regional Project in . Following the resignation of Finance Officer, Mr. South Asia ( in Odisha, India) Pankaj Chaudhary of SCRSSI Project, Sunsari, Ms.

Sushila Chaudhary, resident of Bhadaiya ‐ 2, Siraha district, joined as Project Account Officer with effect

Address: Bharatpur-2, Kshetrapur, Chitwan Contact No.: +977 (0) 56 527734, 527623 Email: [email protected] ; [email protected] P.O. Box: 11 (Bhp.)