Nepal : Governance Support Program (Subprogram I)

Public sector management / Decentralization

The nature and dynamics of poverty reduction efforts in Nepal, as well as its political economy, necessitate that the social inclusion and empowerment of disadvantaged groups (DAGs) be strengthened just as much as local bodies are. The rationale for this program also stems from the fact that the country will soon have a federal form of government in which subnational governments will play major roles in local development. Thus, strengthening local governance is a must. Finally, the present context in Nepal demands

reforms in local governance and community development that are medium to long term, which justifies the program cluster approach of the GSP.

(i) Citizens and communities actively engaged with local bodies and hold them accountable

(ii) Better management of resources and delivery of services in an inclusive and equitable manner by capable local bodies

(iii) Strengthened policy and national institutional framework for decentralization and community

development

(i) Citizens and communities actively engaged with local bodies and hold them accountable.

"15 % of the capital grants allocated in favor of disadvantaged groups in 2010/11 against 10 % in 2009/10

"While there is no established benchmark data, in FY2010/11 the number of formal interaction between CBOs and local bodies is estimated to be 3 per annum

" 40 % of the citizens reported that attitude and behavior of local body staff changed positively towards women and disadvantaged groups in 2010 as compared to previous year.

(ii) Better management of resources and delivery of services in an inclusive and equitable manner by capable local bodies;

" Blended guidelines of local bodies' grants approved by the cabinet made provisions of inclusiveness in service delivery.

"

" 55 % of the citizens reported that services of local bodes are better in 2010 than in 2008.

" The relevant division in MLD confirms that the number of districts that are working towards this compliance stands at 60

" Of the total block 35 % is allocated in projects directly benefiting women, children and disadvantaged groups in FY2010/11 against 30 % in 2009/10

(iii) Strengthened policy and national institutional framework for decentralization and community development:

" The Constituent Assembly has not yet fully completed deliberations on these provisions

" The gaps have already been identified; support from development partners continues to be used to address the gaps

" The roles of ADDCN, NAVIN, and MUAN have indeed been increasing and they have been at the forefront of pushing for state restructuring; their public awareness campaigns and publications are rather substantial

" While the approach paper has been prepared by MLD, there is now general consensus among government and development partners that it will be difficult to have the SWAp in place any time soon& this is for reasons of lack of political stability which is critical for a SWAp to be effective.

" The strategy has been operationalized with guidelines prepared; focal persons have been activated in 100 percent DDCs and municipalities

1.1. Empowered communities and CBOs that participate in local governance processes

1.2. More capable communities, including DAGs, that assert their rights and hold local bodies accountable

2.1. Access to greater fiscal resources for local bodies in equitable and appropriate ways

2.2. Appropriate measures to build capacity in all levels of the local body service delivery system

2.3. Fine-tuned local body service delivery mechanisms and processes

3.1. Policy framework for decentralization to enable an environment for effective, transparent, acountable, and inclusive local governance

3.2. Strong central government and NGOs that provide appropriate support to local bodies

All the local bodies prepared annual plan through participatory planning process in 2011.

MLD estimated that initial social mobilization has taken place in 85% of VDCs.

33% representations of women made compulsory in all the committees formed by local bodies including Ward Citizen Forum. Similarly representation of disadvantaged groups in all the committees made compulsory.

Of the total number of persons trained (5000) in 2011 in local governance, community mobilization and leadership 21% are women.

LGCDP confirms that this now stands at 35% of capital grants spent on projects prioritized by women, disadvantaged groups, and children.

MLD estimated that initial social mobilization has taken place in all of the municipalities.

Participation of women and disadvantaged groups increased by 35 % in planning and decision making process compared to previous year.

20% CBOs made federations.

More training/orientations are being planned and conducted.

The concept of federations has now been dropped in the LGCDP and replaced by citizen awareness centers, of which there were 3,300 as of March-end 2011.

On average, the own-source revenues of local bodies have increased 20% as per the estimates of the PCU.

Fully achieved.

The GESI Section confirms that the MCPMs have been reviewed and updated with a GESI focus.

Strategy operationalized by mid-July 2011.

Gender focal points have been identified but capacity enhancement measures are not yet fully been in place across all local bodies.

This is in place now across all local bodies.

Fully achieved.

The LGCDP PCU estimates that as of the end of the first quarter of 2011, approximately 30% of office bearers of all local bodies have been oriented on local good governance.

Partly achieved

Partly achieved

133 gender focal persons of DDCs and Municipalities trained on GESI strategy.

All the Local Body Associations prepared capacity development plan and implemented. 60 percent Local Development Officers and 50 percent Executive Officers reported that Local Body Association capacity improved in 2010 as compared to 2008.

Fully achieved

Fully achieved

MCPM conducted through LBFC. There is no system of self-report on MCPM by DDCs.

Largy achieved

Partly fine tuned

In progress

In progress

In progress

Partly achieved

Job description of local body staffs prepared.

Fully achieved.

Completed

On going

Options for a SWAp in local governance and decentralization have been presented in the SWAp approach paper; however, the SWAp itself is unlikely to be ready.

Affirmative policy in favor of women and disadvantaged groups included in HRD plans of local bodies and MLD.

The system is in place, and work is ongoing (particularly through the benchmarking exercise in the ASIP).

DPMAS software installed in 75 DDCs and 150 staff of local bodies trained on DPMAS.

Not possible to attain this target given the delays in the constitution-making process.

Partly achieved

Devolution policies and regulations updated by incorporating GESI aspects and forwarded to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministries for approval

Fully achieved

Fully achieved

Fully achieved