Page 1 January- March Centre for Rural Technology, Nepal (CRT/N) 2021 CRT/N E-Newsletter Volume 6 Number 53
Promoting Organic Farming in Eco Village of Kavre District A four days capacity building training on Bhangala village of Bethanchowk Rural biofertilizer/biopesticide making through Municipality Ward no. 5, Kavre. The jholmal Jholmal and bio composting through Vermi and Vermi composting training was Composting has been organized to promote participated by 29 HHs (18 Women and 11 organic farming in the Eco Village of Kavre Men) and 36 HHs (28 Women and 8 Men) district under "Eco-Village Development through respectively having participation of more than Integration of Renewable Energy Solutions and 50% of women members. The training Climate Friendly Activities for Enhancing included both theory and practical sessions Livelihood of Rural Communities in Bethanchok for making along with one to one coaching/ Rural Municipality, Kavre District" project supervision to produce home based organic supported by Small Grants Programme, Global fertilizers. The participants stated that they Environment Facility, United Nations are benefitted with the training and Development Programme (SGP/GEF/UNDP). The committed to adopt and practice the training was organized from March 6-9, 2021 at learning. CRT/N E-NEWSLETTER VOLUME 6 NUMBER 53 PAGE 2
Capacity Building Training on Municipal Energy Planning (MEP) Process
Training Participants Along with Resource Persons and Dr. Purushottam Shrestha, Executive Director, CRT/N What is MEP ? On March 18, 2021, CRT/N successfully completed 4-days Capacity Building Training on Municipal Energy Planning (MEP) “The MEP is a five-year Process which was organized in coordination with the periodic plan that enables Renewable Energy for Rural Areas (RERA) programme jointly the Municipalities to set implemented by Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) targets for energy and Deutsche Gesellschaft fu r Internationale Zusammenarbeit programmes, support data- (GIZ-Nepal). driven energy analysis and
evidence-based planning, The training was facilitated by Pathway Technologies and make informed decisions for Services Pvt. Ltd, MinErgy Pvt.Ltd and GIZ-Nepal. The training policy making & investment was held from March 15-18, 2021 in Lalitpur under the project and facilitate monitoring of “Solar Electrification of a Remote Village and Promoting Energy the progress. MEP also Planning Based on Reliable Data Collection in Nepal” supported encompasses necessary by Siemenpuu Foundation, Finland, EKO energy, Finland and activities and measures that Khanikhola Rural Municipality. This project is being need to be carried out by implemented in the Khanikhola Rural Municipality, the municipalities to Kavreplanchok. CRT/N under this project will be using the MEP achieve the energy vision, process to develop energy plan for Khanikhola Rural mission, goals, and Municipality. objectives within a
stipulated period of time” The objective of this training was to build capacity of CRT/N and other organizations (Government, I/NGOs and private sectors) (Source: Guideline: working on energy sector to enable them to understand and Preparation of Municipal apply MEP process to develop energy plan for Rural/ Energy Plan) Municipalities. Altogether energy professionals from 13 different organizations were trained on Municipal Energy Planning Process. PAGE 3 CRT/N E-NEWSLETTER VOLUME 6 NUMBER 53
Interaction Meeting: Green and Inclusive Programme Consortium Partners
On March 25, 2021, Gender, Energy and Water and provincial level Government to include Network (GEWNet) managed by CRT/N, gender and energy in the respective policies organized an interaction meeting with Green and and programmes. Similarly, thanked to Ms. Inclusive Energy (GIE) Programme Consortium Laxmi Giri, Senior Actress for her great Partners viz., National Association of contribution in sensitizing the GIE in the local Community Electricity Users-Nepal (NACEUN), and Communty level. The meeting was Nepal Federation of Environmental Journalist organized as a part of Gender, Energy and (NEFEJ), Indoor Air Pollution and Health Forum Water Network’s (GEWNet) interaction (IAPHF) Nepal, Renewable Energy Confederation programme. of Nepal (RECoN) and Practical Action Nepal. This programme has been initiated in the The meeting was chaired by the Honorable process of strengthening and creating the Former Minister of Environment, Science and Network as a "knowledge platform" and Technology Mr. Ganesh Shah. facilitate in the development and transfer of The objectives of the meeting was to strengthen knowledge appropriate to the agenda of the further cooperation and collaboration to network. continue working together with the GIE Consortium Partners in future. GEWNet members and consortium partners with the total number of 17 participants (4 female and 13 male) participated in the meeting. The meeting provided a platform for the GIE Consortium Partners to discuss and share their knowledge regarding the potential opportunities for working together in future. The meeting has been observed to be very productive and fruitful Former Honorable Minister & GIE Ambassador Mr. as expressed by all the distinguished Ganesh Shah Facilitating the Discussion participants. Mr. Ganesh Ram Shrestha, Senior Advisor and What is GEWNet? Former Executive Director appreciated all the National Network that lobby and advocates consortium partners for successfully completing gender equality in energy and water sector this programme. Mr. Shrestha stressed on the based on evidence. Provides platform for point that though the programme is completed knowledge exchange. but our work has not finished yet so we should Who are GEWNet? continue focusing on our learning and Organizations and individuals that are active challenges. in addressing gender issues in energy, and Dr. Purushottam Shrestha, Executive Director water sectors. welcoming the participants delivered a brief Where does GEWNet function? overview of the GIE programme supported by The Network works in national, provincial ENERGIA/Hivos and policy support from and local level. Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) acknowledged the efforts of the consortium Why was GEWNet established? partners for successfully completing the planned GEWNet was created to influence change in decisions-making, in energy and water sector activities. He further expressed his sincere that are made with the least involvement of thanks to Former Honorable Minister & GIE women who bears the most burden. GEWNet Ambassador Mr. Ganesh Shah and for his also works to enhance the role of women in planning and decision making and strengthen wonderful contribution in coordinating and capability of women through knowledge managing for high level dialogue with central enrichment. CRT/N E-NEWSLETTER VOLUME 6 NUMBER 53 PAGE 4
Community Building in the Model Eco-Village: Inauguration and Handover
Mr. Prem Bahadur Timilsina. Chairman, Bethanchowk Rural Municipality Delivering Speech During Community Building Inauguration and Handover Ceremony Community Building at Chyamrangbesi Village-1, Bethanchowk Rural Municipality committee has committed to use the rooms as a On March 1, 2021, CRT/N organized and guest room and a meeting hall. The guest room is participated in the Community Building equipped with a small kitchen area equipped Inauguration and Handover event at with an induction cook stove. The stove will be Chyamrangbesi village in Ward-1 of powered by national grid. As of now, the Bethanchowk Rural Municipality. The village committee has applied for national grid was also the project site for the Eco-Village connection. Furthermore, the community Development (EVD-Phase I) project. The event building management committee was also was chaired by Mr. Tul Prasad Dahal-Chairman provided with dustbins, solar dryers and office of project beneficiary committee (Gahubali furniture. The total cost of the community Beejbridhi Samuha). Mr. Prem Bahadur building construction was NPR. 11,00,000 (USD Timilsina-Chairman, Bethanchowk Rural 9,243 approx. of which NPR. 8,00,000 USD 6,722 Municipality and Mr. Somnath Ghimire, Ward-1 approx. was funded by the project and Chairman and Dr. Purushottam Shrestha, remaining NPR. 3,00,000 (USD 2,521 approx. Executive Director, CRT/N were invited as was provided by Bethanchowk Rural Chief Guest and Special Guest respectively for Municipality. The Ward Chairman Mr. Som Nath the event. Ghimire expressed his gratitude towards CRT/N The EVD-Phase I project funded by Civil Society and Bethnchowk Rural Municipality for in Development (CISU), Denmark and providing the support to contruct the coordinated by Danish Human Settlement community building. Dr. Purushottam Shrestha, Service (DIB), Denmark and implemented by Executive Director of CRT/N congratulated and CRT/N had supported the project beneficiary thanked the local community, Rural community to build a community building as Municipality, and different organisations for the per the norms and regulation set by the hand in hand support provided to implement the Government of Nepal. However, the funding for EVD project successfully including the the community building was managed and construction of Community Hall. secured by DIB, Denmark. Besides, CRT/N also Inaugurating the Community Hall, Chief Guest facilitated the project beneficiary committee to Mr. Prem Bhadur Timilsina thanked the coordinate with the Bethanchowk Rural community for the successful implementation of Municipality to manage matching fund for the the EVD Phase-I project which has resulted into construction of the building. The event marks replication of the eco-village development the culmination of EVD Phase-I project. concept in another ward (Ward 5) of the The community building comprises of two Bethanchowk Rural Municipality. The event was rooms and bathroom is electrified by 50Wp concluded after Mr. Timilsina handed over the solar home system. The project beneficiary key of the community building to Mr. Tul Prasad Dahal. CRT/N E-NEWSLETTER VOLUME 6 NUMBER 53 PAGE 5
Advocating EVD Concept Among the Micro Financing Institutes of Nepal Mr. Ganesh Ram Shrestha, Senior Advisor and social inclusion, gender mainstreaming and former Executive Director shared CRT/N’s environment management for the overall experience on the implementation of Eco- development of a selected village. As part of this Village Concept and its relevance to the underprivileged communities of rural areas of approach, Bethanchowk Rural Municipality in Nepal in a virtual event organized by Centre for Kavrepalanchok district has taken ownership of Self-help Development (CSD) on March 2, 2021. this model and incorporated Eco-Village Sharing the experiences Mr. Shrestha also Development Concept in its Annual Policy and talked about the various renewable energy Guidelines 2019/020 (Barshik Niti and technologies such as Improved Water Mill, Margnirdeshan, FY 2076/077). Improved Cook Stoves (both mud and metallic), Solar Home System, Solar Water Pump, The event was organized by CSD to familiarize Hydraulic Ram Pump, toilet attached Biogas and promote Eco-village Development Concept
plants and relevant solar thermal technologies among its Micro- CSD Source: Photo such as Solar Dryer which are also the parts of finance Member Eco-Village Concept and help to promote Institutions to sustainable village development and keep the support various environment clean. aspects of Eco-Village Development in Further, he also adds the concept is a holistic Nepal which was development approach helps dealing with participated by 31 representatives of 14 wider social and cross cutting issues such as Member Institutions of CSD.
Distribution of EVD Solutions: Plastic Tunnel, Drip Irrigation Set, Jholmal Drum and EM
Bethanchok Rural Municipality, Kavre District". As per the need assessment of the rural Project supported Small Grants Programme, community of Bhangala village of Bethanchowk Global Environment Facility, United Nations Rural Municipality Ward no. 5, Kavre, various Development Programme (SGP/GEF/UNDP). climate smart technologies and EVD solutions As per the theme of Eco-village development have been distributed in the presence of Mr. Prem concept, Plastic Tunnel, Drip Irrigation Set, Bdr Timalsina Chairman of Bethanchowk Rural Jholmal Drum, EM and Vermi Worm were Municipality, Kavre, and Mr. Khajanchi Lama, distributed on February 7, 2021.. Beside these, Ward Chairman, Ward no. 5, Bethanchowk Rural other technologies like portable biogas, improved Municipality under "Eco-Village Development cooking stoves are already installed and other through Integration of Renewable Energy multiple EVD solutions are under process of Solutions and Climate Friendly Activities for installation in the project area to demonstrate the Enhancing Livelihood of Rural Communities in Eco-village development concept. PAGE 6 CRT/N E-NEWSLETTER VOLUME 6 NUMBER 53
Dialogue Meeting cum Workshop with Financing Institutes and Cooperatives under "Eco-Village Development through Integration of Renewable Energy Solutions and Climate Friendly Activities for Enhancing Livelihood of Rural Communities in Bethanchok Rural Municipality, Kavre District". Project supported by Small Grants Programme, Global Environment Facility, Ms. Chija Adhikari, Officer, CRT/N Addressing the Meeting United Nations Development Programme With an objective to establish linkage between (SGP/GEF/UNDP).
financing institutes/cooperatives and the rural The event was participated by around 25 community to channelizing loans among the numbers of participants from micro financing needy community to increase the adoption of institutes, cooperatives, beneficiary various Renewable Energy/Eco Village community and the government officials from Development (EVD) solutions and support Bethanchwok Rural Municipality. Prior to the sustainability of the project, CRT/N organized a workshop, mapping of MFIs/Cooperatives in dialogue meeting cum workshop on February 7, the project vicinity was done and potential and 2021 with financing Institutes and cooperatives interested MFIs/Cooperatives were invited for at Bethanchok Rural Municipality, Kavre District the discussion workshop. The emPOWER Collective Project Updates
The emPOWER Collective Project conducted a and suggested them to form a formal follow-up visit on February 26, 2021 at the agriculture group so that they can easily Bhangala of Bethanchowk Rural Municipality, access the subsidies provided by ward or Kavrepalanchowk with an intention to meet Ward Rural Municipality. Ward Secretary gave Secretary and Agriculture Officer to discuss on questions raised by the participants related to information about the subsidy notice that agriculture and possible opportunities for farmers. ward or rural municipality publishes time and A total number of 13 participants attended the again. She informed such information can be meeting with Ward Secretary and Agriculture seen in the Facebook page of Ward and Rural Officer. With the motive to enhance the capacity of Municipality. For those who are not familiar participants to talk in front of the mass, two with Facebook can find such notice posted in participants were asked to host the discussion session. mill and milk collection center as well. The discussion session was very interactive and The participants asked questions related to every participant actively participated and agriculture and animal husbandry. The queries of asked their queries. participants were solved by an Agriculture Officer PAGE 7 CRT/N E-NEWSLETTER VOLUME 6 NUMBER 53
Improved Cooking Stove Installation, Operation, Repair Maintenance and Kitchen Management Training
Prepared Bricks & Chimney by Participants provided under Renewable World (RW) Nepal CRT/N and Rural Energy and Technology Renewable Energy for Change (RE4C) project to Service Center Pvt. Ltd (RETSC), has improve the livelihoods of rural communities successfully conducted 7 days skill based through promoting different renewable energy training On Improved Cooking Stove Installation, technologies (RETs) including ‘Improved Cook Operation, Repair Maintenance and Kitchen Stoves’ aiming with increased thermal Management from January 6-12, 2021 with efficiency, conservation of forests by reducing support from Renewable World, Nepla at fuel wood consumption, reduction in women's Baddichour of Barahtal Rural Municipality, drudgery, reduction in indoor air pollution and Surkhet district and trained 17 participants that health and fire hazards. The training has been included 8 male and 9 female where 14 persons very useful in increasing their level of were from different Health Post and Centers in knowledge substantially as reported by the the project area along with 3 persons of participants and also committed t0 install 350 Renewable World Nepal's Energy for Health ICSs by the end of Jesth 2078/May 2021. programme's Field staffs. The training has been
Participants Practicing the Construction of Different Types of ICS During the Practical Sessions PAGE 8 CRT/N E-NEWSLETTER VOLUME 6 NUMBER 53
CRT/N Family Welcomes New Executive Director
in Economics from Tribhuvan University Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal,. M.A in Development Studies and Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Policy and Project Planning from International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), the Hague..
Dr. Shrestha has more than 30 years of experiences in rural finance, microfinance, Dr. Purushottam Shrestha (Right) Receiving Appointment Letter from Mr. Ganesh Ram Shrestha (Left), Senior Advisor renewable energy projects planning and & Former Executive Director implementation. During this period, he worked CRT/N is pleased to welcome Dr. Purushottam in senior management position in various Shrestha as the new Executive Director. Mr. government, non-government organizations, Ganesh Ram Shrestha, Former Executive Director International agency (ADB) financed project in handed over the responsibilities to Dr. Nepal. Presently he is the Chairman of Sharathi Purushottam Shrestha on January 14, 2021, after Nepal Microfinance Institutions Limited serving CRT/N for over 3 decades. Mr. Ganesh (national level Microfinance Development Ram Shrestha with the new responsibility as Bank) He is the former Chairman and Senior Advisor will continue to provide guidance Executive Director of Naya Nepal Microfinance to CRT/N team in the coming days. CRT/N team Development Bank). He has worked as the expressed sincere gratitude to Mr. Shrestha for Chief Executive Officer of Small Farmers his extensive contributions towards the Development Bank and DGM/Deputy CEO, promotion of rural technologies for the Division Chief & Director of Agriculture enhancement of rural livelihood in Nepal through Development Bank. He also worked as the CRT/N. New Executive Director, Dr. Shrestha has National Team Leader and Microfinance been with CRT/N since June 2014 as the Director Development Expert of ADB financed project in and the Senior Director. Dr. Shrestha holds Ph. D Nepal. Centre Rural Technology, Nepal (CRT/N) Wishing You a Prosperous New Year 2078 !
CRT/N E-newsletter Vol. 6 No. 53, January– March 2021 Bhanimandal, Lalitpur, PO Box 3628, Kathmandu Tel: +977-1-5544758, 5547627,5530071 Email: [email protected], Web: www.crtnepal.org Link to the videos of Women Entrepreneurs : Blog: http://advocacy-wee-nepal.blogspot.com/ 1. Together we can succeed_ Story of Sanu Maya Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crtnepalorg/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUEOUvHtorw&t=9s 2. Chini Maya Uplifting livelihood of Rural Women Mobile App: “Mahila Udhyami” Android App https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRH2NvHTyVs