Bhutan : Piloting Inclusive Services for Vulnerable Groups Project

Project Name

Piloting Inclusive Services for Vulnerable Groups Project

Project Number

57014-001

Country / Economy

• Bhutan

Project Status

Proposed

Project Type / Modality of Assistance

• Grant

Source of Funding / Amount

Operational Priorities

• OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities
• OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
• OP3: Tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability
• OP4: Making cities more livable
• OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity

Sector / Subsector

• Education / Education sector development - social protection initiatives - Non-formal education - social protection initiatives

• Health / Health sector development and reform - Mother and child health care

• Public sector management / Law and judiciary - Social protection initiatives

Gender

Effective gender mainstreaming

Description

The grant will be aligned with the following impact: equitable access to social services and employment improved (footnote 13). The envisaged outcome is access to quality health services and economic opportunities for people with disabilities, older people, and LGBTQI+ individuals improved. This aim will be pursued through three outputs.

Output 1. Enabling environment for equitable access to employment opportunities and health services for targeted vulnerable groups established.

Output 2. Capacity of advocacy- and identity-based CSOs for targeted vulnerable groups strengthened..

Output 3. : Multistakeholder support for inclusion of targeted vulnerable groups increased.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently assessed the gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) situational context in South Asia and found that some groups are disadvantaged due to their social identities. They struggle to access opportunities and resources and are less likely to benefit from development investments. In response to this assessment and in line with ADB Strategy 2030, the South Asia Department developed a GESI Framework that focuses on women, older people, people with disabilities, disadvantaged ethnic groups and castes, people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC), income poor, and people in difficult geographic locations like remote rural, slum, and transient populations. Addressing gender inequality and social exclusion experienced by these disadvantaged groups requires boosting their contribution and visibility in business supply chains by developing their capabilities (individual and organizational), improving their access to basic public services (education, health, and skills training), and providing inclusive infrastructure and technologies, among others.

Impact

Equitable access to social services and employment improved

Outcome

Access to quality health services and economic opportunities disabilities, older people, and people with diverse SOGIESC improved.

Outputs

Enabling environment for availing equitable access to employment opportunities and health services by project beneficiaries established.

Geographical Location

Nation-wide

Safeguard Categories

Environment

B

Involuntary Resettlement

C

Indigenous Peoples

C

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

Involuntary Resettlement

Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

During Project Implementation

Contact

Responsible ADB Officer

Tornieri, Francesco

Responsible ADB Department

South Asia Department

Responsible ADB Division

Bhutan Resident Mission (BHRM)

Executing Agencies

Ministry of Education and Skills Development

Timetable

Concept Clearance

06 Jul 2023

Fact Finding

17 Aug 2023 to 24 Aug 2023

MRM

-

Approval

-

Last Review Mission

-

Last PDS Update

06 Jul 2023

Funding