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Nepal
>> Regional Overview >> Nepal Overview Program Data Sheet
367-007
USAID MISSION: Nepal
PROGRAM TITLE: Governance (Pillar: Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance)
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE AND NUMBER: Strengthened Governance of Natural Resources and Selected Institutions, 367-007
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $3,647,000 DA
PROPOSED FY 2003 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $5,800,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2001 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2005Summary: USAID’s program to strengthen local governance of natural resources and selected institutions includes—
- training and technical assistance to community-based natural resource management groups to improve the democratic functioning of their organizations, their awareness of their rights and responsibilities, and their technical management of their resources;
- training and technical advice to strengthen advocacy by civil society groups;
- literacy and leadership training for women leaders of community groups and local production and dissemination of materials to raise awareness and prevent human rights abuses such as the trafficking of women and children; and
- training and technical assistance to build the capacity of government and nongovernmental organizations that play critical roles in safeguarding and advancing democracy.
Inputs, Outputs, and Activities: FY 2002 Program: USAID will fund programs to strengthen the ability of more than 400 community-based natural resource management groups in 12 districts to manage forest and water resources effectively and democratically. These programs include training in advocacy skills for community groups and national federations that support them, workshops where community groups can provide input to local government officials on budget allocations, and training on democratic decision-making and accountability within the group. Technical assistance also will be provided to natural resource groups to revise their constitutions and update their resource management plans. More than 4,000 women candidates for local office in ten districts will be trained in the functions of local government, how to develop campaign strategies, and how to reach their constituencies. Basic literacy and post-literacy materials for women will be developed to support women in elected government office and in natural resource management groups. Four Nepali nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in five districts will be supported in efforts to raise awareness about the problem of trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation or forced labor, and to assist with the rehabilitation of victims of trafficking. Government agencies and NGOs will be assisted to expand citizens’ awareness of their rights and responsibilities in a democracy, and government employees will be trained in ethics and good governance.
Planned FY 2003 Program: USAID will continue to fund capacity-building for community-based natural resources management groups initiated in FY 2002 and, in particular, to increase the revenues communities gain from sustainable management. Anti-trafficking activities will be expanded to include working with employment agencies on information packages for safe migration and to provide alternative job options for vulnerable women. A total of 3,500 women elected to local office in the 2002 elections will be trained to enable them to perform effectively, particularly in understanding the budget process, identifying and executing projects, and representing their constituents. District governments will be assisted in planning to use revenues generated from natural resources development, including revenues from hydropower projects. Literacy training and materials will be provided to 15,000 women, and post-literacy materials made available to nongovernmental organizations for use countrywide.
SUBMISSION OF THIS PROGRAM DATA SHEET CONSTITUTES FORMAL RENOTIFICATION OF USAID’S INTENT TO OBLIGATE FY 2002 RESOURCES FOR THE ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED ABOVE. Performance and Results: The first activities under this program were initiated in September 2001. Results to date include the development of voter education materials; training of election officials and community leaders in five districts on the conduct of elections; development of materials to train women candidates; and planning for candidate training in 10 districts. Some anticipated results of the program include 1) increased advocacy capacity of selected civil society groups at community and national levels; 2) strengthened democratic functioning of community-based natural resource management groups; 3) increased numbers of women in elected government office and in leadership positions in community groups; and 4) improved performance of selected government institutions, including district anti-trafficking task forces.
USAID has worked extensively with natural resource user groups and women’s groups in Nepal under previous programs, and will use these groups as an entry point for improving governance at the local level. In its natural resources program, USAID has advocated ensuring adequate benefits to local communities from the development and conservation of water and forest resources, and has worked with women’s groups on awareness raising to prevent trafficking. This experience provides a solid foundation on which to build the new programs proposed here.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID expects to work primarily with and through U.S. and local NGOs using grants or cooperative agreements. Initial agreements have been signed with The Asia Foundation for natural resource advocacy and antitrafficking activities and with the National Democratic Institute for voter education and training of women candidates for local elections. A cooperative agreement will also be signed with CARE for natural resources advocacy and women’s literacy programs. Other expected partners are the Ministries of Forests and Soil Conservation; Water Resources; and Women, Children, and Social Welfare.
US Financing in Thousands of Dollars
367-007 Strengthened Governance of Natural Resources and Selected Institutions DA Through September 30, 2000 Obligations 0 Expenditures 0 Unliquidated 0 Fiscal Year 2001 Obligations 2,800 Expenditures 0 Through September 30, 2001 Obligations 2,800 Expenditures 0 Unliquidated 2,800 Prior Year Unobligated Funds Obligations 0 Planned Fiscal Year 2002 NOA Obligations 3,647 Total Planned Fiscal Year 2002 Obligations 3,647 Proposed Fiscal Year 2003 NOA Obligations 5,800 Future Obligations 0 Est. Total Cost 12,247
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
