United Nations Development Programme Empowered lives. Resilient nations. now In The K Issue 54 June 2011

Highlights

Preparatory to LDCs conference Encouraging volunteerism……..

UNDP Country Director Shoko Noda addressing the workshop

Cleaning campaign at the international airport premises As a preparatory to the fourth Least Developed Countries (LDCs) conference in Istanbul, as the Chair of the As part of the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of LDCs held a one day workshop in , supported by Volunteers (IYV +10) and coinciding with the Global Youth Service the United Nations Information Centre. The aim of the Day, more than 1000 youth volunteers gathered at the Tribhuvan programme was to generate Nepal’s position on LDCs International Airport in Kathmandu to organise a cleaning issues. campaign with the slogan ‘Change through Volunteerism’. The Addressing the workshop, UNDP Country Director Shoko participants cleaned the international airport premises and Noda said, “Unless the Government, civil society and private demonstrated their volunteerism. sector come together to do adequate homework, real progress cannot be made. It is not sufficient that we just As part of the same campaign, two events were organised jointly reaffirm the global commitment to address the special by the Nepal Tourism Board, United Nations Volunteers in Nepal, needs of the LDCs made at the major UN conferences and Association of Youth Organisations in Nepal (AYON) and YUWA summits and become a signatory.” (Youths). The volunteers from different I/NGOs colleges and schools participated in the programme. The event was organised The opening session of the event was addressed by the Vice in coordination with and cooperation of airport security President of Nepal Parmanand Jha. About 60 prominent department. personalities from Nepal including Nepalese diplomats, academicians and youths participated in the programme. Honourable Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, After the inaugural ceremony, a working paper was Mr. Khagendra Biswakarma inaugurated the event and presented by Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Executive Director of highlighted some important contributions of volunteers and South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment youths for the development of Nepal— especially when the year (SAWTEE) followed by a panel discussion. 2011 is being marked as the ‘Visit Nepal Year’ ! P AGE 2 I N THE KNOW

News from the field

Government, donors undertake field visit for joint programme

The Government officials and Awareness Center in which development partners of Local vulnerable groups in the Governance Community Village Development Development Programme (LGCDP) Committee are identified comprising of representatives from by participatory poverty ADB, DFID, CIDA, Danish embassy, assessment approach UNDP/UN System and Norwegian under social mobilization. embassy undertook a joint field visit to The visiting team Kailali and Kanchanpur districts. Lead interacted on different by the Ministry of Local Development issues related to local Government officials, donors discuss with school beneficiaries (MLD), altogether 17 representatives of governance processes with different agencies took active part in the community people. the visit programme. Joint Secretary of MLD, The LGCDP Cluster Coordinating Unit Mr. Teertha Dhakal in Dhangadi made a brief presentation reviewed the efforts of for the team on the far-west region local bodies (District along with the major achievements as Development Committees, well as key issues and challenges Village Development prevailing in the region. The team met Committees and with the political parties and staff Municipalities) and the members followed by a project site Cluster Coordinating Unit Visiting team observe the school building visit to get a first hand knowledge from and identified the positive under construction with LGCDP support the users committee and beneficiaries changes and improvement bodies on what they see as the key about the service delivery and needed areas. The review meeting development issues for improving participatory development process. concluded that the recent results of service delivery processes in the the programme are highly At the community level, the team absence of elected bodies. The visiting encouraging. visited a Ward Citizen Forum with team also had the opportunity to members from different sections of In Daiji, on the way to Kanchanpur, observe the seven and half kilometers society especially the poor and the VDC Secretary, the Social road project (widening and upgrading) disadvantaged, and a Community Mobilizers and the Local Service followed by a brief discussion and Providers enlightened interaction with the users committee. the team on their work The 3 and a half day field visit provided as how social important insights on the progress mobilization process being made by LGCDP and the benefits has enabled the local that it is beginning to bring to local communities to begin communities, the disadvantaged and to take an active role in the marginalized groups in particular. the local governance processes. While much remains to be rolled out, the scale and ambition of the national In Kanchanpur, the programme appears to be justified on visiting team was the basis of the evidence gathered Women beneficiaries gathered in Dhangadi Municipality briefed by the local from this field visit. to interact with the visiting team P AGE 3 I N THE KNOW

Success Story

A new life for Bala out of the cantonment……...

Bala Mahato (name changed), 22, a tailoring shop. She has now been in three months. It is only basic level former ex-combatant is living a civilian this partnership venture for almost six training. The training period should be life today, running her tailoring shop in months. extended." Ratnagar, Chitwan, in the Terai area of She further adds, "As I was supporting UNIRP is a joint programme of UNDP, central Nepal. the People’s UNICEF, UNFPA and ILO with the “I am happy to return back to my Liberation Army as a objective of rehabilitating ex-combatants old civilian life and rejoin my health worker, I discharged from the cantonments in community. After leaving the wished to join 2010. By the end of deadline for cantonment, the first few months health related enrollment in the programme, i.e. 22 were difficult for me to adjust, but training, but my March 2011, 2495 (62%) of 4,008 targeted now I have fully adjusted to this education was only ex-combatants contacted the toll free life. Actually, I was not aware that Bala in her tailoring shop up to grade 10, so number. Among them, 2160 (54%) ex- I would receive any kind of livelihood the best option left for me was combatants were provided with career assistance and was not so optimistic micro-enterprise." counseling and referred for training or about my future. The training and education by the end of June 2011. 719 support provided by the UN has opened When the demand is high, Bala, a individuals have completed micro- a new horizon in my life", Bala says. mother of two years old child, earns up enterprises or vocational skills training to Rs. 7,000 from her tailoring business. Upon completion of the training offered and 305 individuals have either started She is also supporting her husband’s by the United Nations Interagency their own business or found parents as he, also an ex-combatant, Rehabilitation Programme (UNIRP), Bala employment. 738 participants are still chose to go to Saudi Arabia to seek was keen to utilize her tailoring skills. enrolled in training programmes or work for two years. When she proposed the idea of joining education and 156 are waiting for startup her friend’s tailoring shop as a business Bala is learning from her friend’s long support. partner, she received a warm support experience in tailoring, which has The UNIRP is planning to provide all the from her family and contributed helped her to improve her skills. She programme participants who have business start-up support equivalent to says, "I have heard that the average established their own micro-enterprises Rs. 30,000, provided by the length of training to run a boutique is with a second round of advanced training rehabilitation programme, towards the two years, but we are trained only for to help them meet the skills gaps.

Federal design—ethnic or democratic ? Support to Constitution Making

The Constituent Assembly’s (CA) proposed federal structure Committee on State Restructuring and supports democratic theory and its Division of State Powers has proposed features. He denied that the basis 14 federal states for Nepal based on for proposed structure is ethnic but identity and economic feasibility. he further added that the proposed The Centre for Constitutional Dialogue structure however does address (CCD) and UNDP’s Support to many issues and agendas of Participatory Constitution Building in ethnicity. Participants from media in the workshop Nepal (SPCBN) project organised a Professor Krishna Khanal, Director discussion programme with the media of the CCD said, “There has been more Centre for Constitutional Studies (NCCS) to disseminate correct information and discussion related to the names of said, “There is no alternative to understanding about the basis for provinces and political slogans than federalism. The political parties should proposing 14 different federal states. understanding the basis of the orient their party cadres and the people Professor Krishna Hachhethu proposed federal structure.” about federalism for better enlightened the participants that the Professor Lok Raj Baral from Nepal understanding and vision”. P AGE 4 I N T HE K NOW

News from the field

Youths vigilant for rhino conservation !

In early and mid-nineties, 83 Based Anti-poaching Operation. The rhinoceroses were translocated to the WTLCP has already provided five rounds Bardia National Park (mid-west region) of trainings to 330 local youths since from the Chitwan National Park (central 2008. After the training, about 300 region) to safeguard youths are voluntarily the rhino population. patrolling in critical Illegal poaching during buffer zone areas of the Youths mobilized in anti-poaching campaign the decade long park. They provide conflict (1996-2006) in information to the park "It is very encouraging that the rhinos the country and some authorities about any are breeding well and we currently natural causes suspicious activities. Rhino and calf spotted have 24 rhinoceroses including 5 calves adversely affected the recently in Karnali river bank The WTLCP provided the in the Bardia National Park," says Mr. rhino conservation youths with essential Tika Ram Adhikari, the Chief Warden of efforts. Consequently in 2008, the rhino gears and necessary logistical support the National Park. He further says, “The population in Bardia went down for patrolling after the training. As a role of youths in conservation is very drastically to 20. result there has been no poaching of important. I want to make Community The UNDP Western Terai Landscape rhinos in the Bardia National Park for Based Anti-poaching Operation stronger Complex Project (WTLCP) has been the past three years. The park and sustainable by injecting more funds supporting the rhino conservation authorities are taking the lead to to provide incentives to the local youths efforts of the Government in the Bardia empower the local youths and take in environment related income National Park by technically and action in the villages notorious for generation activities and scholarship financially supporting the Community poaching of wild animals. schemes.”

Successful mushroom entrepreneurs in Sarlahi……...

The Sukdev tole community in Karmaiya village, has started collective mushroom farming. The hamlet of mostly hill-based indigenous and a few marginalized households have sold 1600 kgs of mushroom, making an income of NRs. 32,000 within 3 months time. There are all women in the 23 member Naya Srijana Livelihood Group formed by UNDP's Livelihood Recovery for Peace (LRP) project. The LRP project provided three days of basic training on mushroom farming for these women by coordinating with the officials from District Agriculture Office and National “Our mushroom production shed” Mushroom Research Center. After the training, the group was successful in leasing a land and constructing a small mushroom shed. Upon receiving NRs 3, 33,000 (US$ 4600) worth support from the LRP project, the community bought essential raw materials to grow mushroom. There was a division of labour among the members to water the straw bags with mushroom spawns three times a day. In three months, the production was ready for sale. Today the joy of these economically disadvantaged community members knows no bounds. “Youths from neighbouring settlements, who earlier used to veer off their motorcycles throwing a cloud of dust behind now slow down their motorcycles and have started politely requesting us to reserve fresh stock of mushroom for them," says Rambati Kushwar, chairperson of Naya Srijana Livelihood Group. The group has been able to sell as many as 15 kilos a day at the rate of NRs. 200 per kilo. The women hope to expand and sustain their initiative by forming a cooperative very soon. This is one of the many successful enterprises implemented by the LRP beneficiaries. This year alone the project has allocated NRs. 39.91 million (US$ 5,60,000) to support 3,370 disadvantaged households of Mahottari and Sarlahi districts for income generating activities. Most of the beneficiaries have opted for vegetable production, goat rearing, pig rearing, heifer rearing and off-farm businesses as a means to improve their livelihood. P AGE 5 I N THE KNOW

Success Story

How Chitra Kali became a millionaire……….

Born in a poor Magar peasant family in and yarn-making training to Pyuthan district, Chitra Kali hundreds of women in Budhamagar has been through many Syaulibang, another source ups and downs in life. She started her of income for her ! These career in 2003 by collecting ‘yarn’ women mainly spin Allo yarn made out of Allo (Himalayan nettle) and and sell it to her. selling them in Kathmandu. With the Over the years, Chitra’s money received out of selling the yarn property has doubled. She she used to buy readymade garments now owns an unfinished from Kathmandu to sell them back in house in Bahane worth NRs. her home village, Bahane, ward no. 6. 2.2 million (US$ 30,700) and In 2005, Chitra got an opportunity to another at Syaulibang village receive a three-month skill worth NRs. 500,000 (US$ Chitra Kali weaving material out of Allo yarn development training course in making 7000). She has goods in Sharing her future plan, she says, “We Allo products from the UNDP Micro- stock worth NRs. 300,000 (US$ 4200) in micro-entrepreneurs need to expand Enterprise Development Programme her Kothi Himal Allo Cloth Industry. “The our business. The women involved in (MEDEP). MEDEP also supported her to training and guidance provided by Allo business should be trained in secure Rs. 8,000 loan from the MEDEP, my perseverance and family diversifying their products and enhance Agricultural Development Bank (ADB/ support are the reasons behind my the quality to survive in the competitive N) to start up her weaving business. success,” Chitra Kali says. market.” Later, she borrowed Rs. 50,000 from Currently, Chitra Kali is the chairperson Nepal exports Allo products worth Rs. ADB/N and invested in buying Allo yarn of Kothi Himal Savings and Credit from local women collectors. 4.8 million annually according to the Cooperatives, Kothi Himal Group’s Handicraft Association of Nepal. Chitra Within a span of 6 years, she expanded Association, the National Allo Kali often travels to Kathmandu and her Allo weaving business to become a Entrepreneurs’ Association other cities to participate in handicraft millionaire. Today Chitra’s per month (represented by Allo entrepreneurs of exhibitions to promote her business. income ranges from Rs. 45,000 to 26 districts); treasurer of District Micro- She has also begun establishing strong 90,000. She employs 12 rural women Entrepreneurs’ Groups Association; marketing links not only at home but for producing different kind of Allo member of National Micro- abroad as well. products and has transactions worth Entrepreneurs’ Association Nepal and NRs. 1.3 million with various financial member of Pyuthan Chamber of A flagship enterprise promotion institutions and individual money Commerce and Industries. programme of the lenders. Government of Nepal (GON), Chitra has been advocating with the the Micro enterprise Development Syaulibang village lies in the border of Village Development Committee, Programme (MEDEP) was initiated in 1998, Rolpa and Baglung districts where Allo Community Forest Users’ Groups, targeting the poor and excluded groups. grows in plenty. Chitra is helping 2,500 Department of Cottage and Small The AusAID funding other women by purchasing their Allo Industries and MEDEP to allocate support to MEDEP from yarn and handmade goods such as budget for destroying a killer weed 2006-2011 amounts to US $ 5.8 million . cloth materials, bags, tea coasters, Bacopa adenophorum, to enhance the During its course of implementation, other mobile phone covers, wrist bands etc. cultivation of Allo, provide training, bilateral donors such as DFID, and NZAID Cashing in on the abundance of this increase funding, and to provide have funded the programme while CIDA wasted renewable natural resource, collateral-free soft loans to the rural joined hands with MEDEP in 2011 to Chitra also provides Allo-processing women. promote agro-based micro-enterprise. P AGE 6 I N THE KNOW

Events and Advocacy

Enabling communities to better manage disaster risks

UNDP’s Comprehensive Disaster Risk communities to better understand the Management Programme (CDRMP) has risks and develop a joint upstream- been working with the Department of downstream master plan in partnership Water Induced Disaster Prevention with the Government. (DWIDP), Department of Soil A field trip to neighbouring Girubari Conservation and Watershed watershed was organised for the Management (DSCWM) to provide participants comprising of Government micro-capital grants and capacity and community members to observe a development support to four high-risk successful community project that Village Development Committees in combined agro-forestry and disaster risk Group discussion underway . management components, for the Recently, CDRMP organised a training possibility of replicating the techniques commitment of district level on management of floods; landslides in their watershed. authorities towards disaster preparedness. UNDP has been and debris flow; hazard risk There were 24 participants from four coordinating to bring Government management at watershed area level; Village Development Committees bio-engineering disaster control belonging to vulnerable communities departments in closer collaboration techniques as well as orientation on and 50% of them were women. The around the issues of disaster government policies and activities presence of Chief District Officer, heads management and soil conservation for related to water induced disasters. of District Red Cross and Government cost effective implementation of joint The topics were important for the Line Agencies reinforced the strategies for disaster preparedness. Early planning for disaster preparedness Nineteen UNDP programme and exercise on earthquake and flood operations staff took part in the Early scenarios and the participants discussed Recovery training workshop organized how each of their programme areas by the UNDP Disaster Risk related to early recovery. They also Management unit. The objective of the identified some programmatic entry workshop was to outline a plan that points including the likely resources and will both support coordination and networks that can be mobilised to programming to help the Government support early recovery efforts. Group discussion for early recovery plan and the local community to rebuild The participants prepared an early preparedness plans were also lives and livelihoods in the wake of a recovery intervention plan for their identified by the participants. More medium to large scale natural disaster. respective units which is still in its draft advanced trainings are underway to The workshop gave an overview on form and is expected to be finalized enhance the capacity of UNDP early recovery activities and shared soon along with the Terms of Reference operations and human resources lessons learned from Nepal and (ToR) for each focal points. Further steps department for immediate crisis overseas. There was a simulation to strengthen early recovery response processes and mechanisms.

Published by, Communications Unit, United Nations Development Programme, UN House POB 107, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal

Phone: 00-977-1-5523200 , Fax: 00-977-1-5523991, Website: www.undp.org.np We welcome any comments, suggestions and feedback at [email protected]