Quarterly Program Updates: January – March, 2025

 

Collaborative Training to Strengthen Local Justice Systems

The National Judicial Academy (NJA), in partnership with SNGP, organized training in Nepalgunj for members of local judicial committees of Pyuthan, Banke, Arghakhanchi, Palpa, Nawalparasi, Rolpa, Gulmi, Rukum East, and Kapilvastu districts. The training aimed to enhance the participants’ knowledge and skills in resolving community disputes more effectively.

One key focus of the training was to strengthen the collaboration between District Court judges and local committee members to foster more effective and accountable dispute resolution at the local level. For this, the event included District Court judges as resource persons. Their active involvement ensured the sessions were more practical and contextually relevant. As a result, local government representatives gained a clearer understanding of judicial procedures and their responsibilities in delivering fair and impartial dispute resolution.

Good Practices at MuAN Day

At the Municipal Association of Nepal (MuAN) Day 2081 event, 73 municipalities participated in a session on learning and sharing innovations and good practices. The program had supported MuAN in documenting the best practices; a compilation booklet was also shared during the event. Local governments have made progress in exercising and implementing their constitutionally mandated exclusive functions, along with relevant concurrent rights, to improve governance and service delivery. However, there has been limited sharing and systematic documentation of these achievements. This session created an opportunity to engage, exchange learning, and celebrate innovations in local governance.

Further, the association has developed performance indicators to assess municipal achievements, identified and documented successful practices in publications and videos. To promote learning and replication, the association has shared these materials with municipalities across the country.

Waling and Tikapur Come Together for Better Health Service Delivery

To encourage replication of initiatives among the strategic partner municipalities, SNGP supported learning and sharing of the Municipal Pharmacy Guideline between two of the seven strategic partner municipalities, Waling and Tikapur. At the stakeholder consultation held in Tikapur, chaired by Mayor Ramlal Dangaura Tharu, the health section chief of Waling shared insights on the successful municipal pharmacy operation and its contribution to the effective and efficient medical services for local citizens. He provided information on Waling’s model, highlighting a hospital with growing own-source revenue, integration of pharmacy services with insurance programs to increase access to medicines, and discounted medicines achieved through bulk vendor purchases. The discussion also focused on financial and human resource management.

Following the consultation, SNGP facilitated the contextual adaptation and replication of the municipal pharmacy guidelines, building on the standard framework discussed with stakeholders. As a result, Tikapur has also begun implementing guidelines applying lessons learned from Waling, particularly in procurement strategies, integration with health insurance, and approaches to enhancing municipal revenue.

Strengthening PFM Through Effective Committees

As part of SNGP’s support for the effective functioning of municipal committees to strengthen the Public Finance Management (PFM) at the local level and economic development, the program conducted two events for all nine municipalities of Kanchanpur District in Sudurpaschim Province. The events were:
• An interaction on PFM improvement to promote dialogue, identify solutions, and reinforce collaborative approaches to address PFM challenges at the local level. Organized in collaboration with Sudurpaschim Province’s Provincial Treasury Comptroller Office and the District Coordination Committee, it brought together mayors, ward chairs, deputy mayors, vice-chairs, chief administrative officers, and sectoral staff. Discussions focused on key governance and fiscal management issues, including local-level data gaps, limited fiscal literacy among elected officials, intergovernmental coordination, and potential reforms to strengthen subnational PFM systems. The participants committed to improving data collection and analysis at the local level.
• Training for the Municipal Accounts Committee to enhance understanding of the committee’s roles, arrears management, and financial oversight. Former Deputy Auditor General and the Provincial Treasury Controller General led the sessions, ensuring expert guidance and contextual relevance. Interactive exercises and real-world case studies enabled practical learning, and several municipalities expressed the need for continued support in strengthening financial accountability. This highlighted the value of continued capacity-building to further institutionalize financial best practices and strengthen long-term fiscal discipline.

Stakeholder Interactions to Foster Subnational Economic Growth

In Sudurpaschim, SNGP initiated its cluster-level interventions for local and provincial economic development (LED) growth through a series of stakeholder interactions in Bhajani, Lamki Chuha, and Janaki. These interactions assessed LED needs and priorities and brought together elected representatives, municipal officials, private sector actors, and local farmers to identify key products and services that can drive local economic growth. Discussions focused on collaboration in agriculture, tourism, and industrial development. The interactions led to a clear recognition of the need for dedicated local economic development (LED) units, stronger private sector coordination, and improved access to finance and technology, especially for businesses led by women and people from marginalized communities. Participants identified key barriers such as limited technical expertise, lack of high-capacity machinery, and challenges in scaling local industries.

TLO for Community-driven Development

To strengthen local governance and foster sustainable change, the program’s initiatives with Tole Lane Organizations (TLOs) promote community-driven development. The program implements this support to facilitate the TLO model of citizen engagement in two strategic partner municipalities – Birendranagar and Tikapur.

Below are the major activities and achievements of TLO:

Community-led initiatives improved access to finance for livelihoods, such as poultry farming and small businesses, with coffee-making training enabling five individuals to earn up to NPR 5,000 (AUD 58) per day.

TLO savings and credit schemes mobilized a total of NPR 8.1 million in deposits, with NPR 4 million invested in the economic and social needs of the communities. The model has also inspired youth financial literacy through child savings groups and catalyzed collective action in environmental conservation and local enterprise, demonstrating the potential of TLOs as vehicles for grassroots-driven development.

Community Educators (CEs) facilitated health-focused reflective discussions in 158 TLOs across the two municipalities. The TLOs identified and prioritized key local health issues and engaged in collaborative dialogues with health service providers using the community scorecard tool. These aimed to raise community awareness, enhance service delivery, and strengthen partnerships between communities and health facilities.

TLO strengthening and mobilization resulted in increased access to services by marginalized communities from the municipalities.
• Five People with Disabilities under the K category were enrolled in health insurance with a 50% discount, which made their access to treatment easier; two people with disability initiated the process for disability certification, out of which one has started to receive disability allowance, 39 actively engaged in community meetings. Women, Dalits, and marginalized groups participated in decision-making. A woman with disability was elected as a tole committee official.

• Livelihood support has been provided to 39 vulnerable women; 3,249 women and 869 men engaged in grassroots programs.
• A scholarship was secured for an orphan child; one person with disabilities received assistive devices (wheelchair, glasses), and birth/citizenship documents of people with disabilities were facilitated.
• 271 individuals received coaching and counseling; 40 personal development plans were created, out of which 14 were already implemented.

Others:
• The TLOs led health awareness campaigns reached over 537 individuals (211 women), with 134 women seeking family planning services, 71 receiving uterine health check-ups, and six beginning treatment for uterine prolapse in Birendranagar.
• For awareness and mobilization efforts, 451 meetings were facilitated across 354 TLOs, reaching 15,312 individuals.
• The formation and reformation process support extended to 123 new TLOs, engaging 3,941 people.
• Twenty-six individuals received coaching and mentoring, while 413 community members participated in ‘listening sessions’ to share their stories and concerns.
• Ten exposure visits were conducted in the TLOs of three municipalities, Tikapur, Birendranagar, and Bhajani, with 464 participants for peer learning, and
• 50 TLOs conducted Annual General Assembly meetings with the participation of 2,407 members.

Fourth Cohort Joins SNGP Fellowship

The program held the graduation ceremony for the third cohort of the SNGP Fellowship, recognizing their achievements and highlighting their technical and interpersonal growth. The fourth cohort of fellows, onboarded in November 2024, also visited Kathmandu for a week-long orientation. The fellows got to enhance their understanding of SNGP along with other subjects such as federalism and subnational governance system, PFM, judicial system of Nepal, climate change, child protection policy, prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. They also participated in a discussion with the program partner, the National Federation of Disabled People -Nepal, to learn about their disability inclusive initiatives and their role in strengthening local government. They also visited the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The one-year SNGP fellowship, implemented in coordination with the seven municipalities, aims to develop and nurture skill enhancement within marginalized communities, empowering them to pursue their career aspirations in the future.

During the fellowship, the fellows are stationed at various departments within the respective municipality offices, enabling them to receive a comprehensive, in-depth understanding of local government functions, such as service delivery, policymaking, dispute resolution, and budget and planning processes.

Advocacy for Disability Inclusion

The program’s disability inclusion partner, the National Federation of Disabled People -Nepal (NFDN), continued its advocacy efforts in six strategic partner municipalities through the advocacy forums. To promote inclusion at the municipal level, NFDN has been including journalists and like-minded people from other organizations in the advocacy forum meetings.

Below are the major initiatives and outcomes of the advocacy forums:

• The advocacy forums’ advocacy efforts and coordination with municipalities to discuss the budget implementation for the DI initiative of FY 2081/82 and budget allocation for the upcoming FY 2082/83 led to Bhimeshwor Municipality sending a request letter to all the nine ward offices to ensure meaningful representation of people with disabilities during the annual planning and budgeting preparation process.
• In Mithila, two persons with disabilities have been appointed to committees under the municipality’s disaster risk reduction and education committee.
• Bhimeshwor municipality has, to date, provided social security allowances to 38 persons with disabilities holding yellow and white disability ID cards and a monthly caretaker allowance of NPR 1000 to 37 individuals.

Effective Efforts of OPDs at the Local Level

The organizations of people with disabilities (OPDs) in Bhimeshwor and Waling implemented the disability-inclusive programs incorporated in the Red Book. These include the disability and senior citizen honor program in Bhimeshwor, and soap and detergent training for people with disabilities in Tansen. Similarly, they have been implementing the empowerment of people with disabilities program under the Ministry of Social Development.

The implementation effort shows growing trust of municipalities and federal ministries in OPDs’ capacity to deliver impactful programs. These organizations’ active role in municipalities has not only enhanced their visibility but also helped them develop networks and relationships.

Mentorship of Local Women Leaders

At present, 124 elected women ward and executive members are part of the SNGP’s long-running ‘mentorship program’ to strengthen the leadership role of women in local governance. The two mentoring sessions, in this quarter, focused on municipal budgeting, gender responsive budgeting, and financial oversight. These mentoring sessions helped the mentees identify community needs, advocate for gender responsive budgeting, and engage with key stakeholders, including ward chairs and mayors. The mentees have played active roles in decision-making and monitoring the implementation of the planned programs.

Recently, 52 mentees across the five municipalities have served as acting ward chairpersons. Similarly, mentees have been assigned roles monitoring programs like drainage construction, road upgrades, road gravel, drinking water, and others.

GEDSI Action Plans for Partners

The program supported 16 implementing partner organizations to finalize their GEDSI action plans. To develop their respective action plans, the partner organizations analyzed the gaps and challenges in the programmatic scope through the GEDSI lens and identified ways to bridge those gaps with verifiable indicators.

The organizations were, National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal, Aapasi Sahayog Kendra Nepal, Pokhara Research Centre, , Nepal Law Society, Hriti Foundation, National Federation of the Disabled – Nepal, National Judicial Academy, Forum for Protection of Consumer Right Nepal, Municipal Association of Nepal, Sahakarmi Samaj, Society of Economic Journalists Of Nepal, Community Members Interested, Invest and Infra, National Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development, Center for Dalit Women Nepal, and Public Policy Pathshala.

Environmental Resilience at the Local Level

The program supported Galyang Municipality in reactivating/ establishing Forest, Environment, and Disaster Management Committees in three wards in accordance with the municipality’s Disaster Management Act. These committees now have more inclusive and diverse membership, strengthening the ability to reflect and respond to the needs of all community members.

These committees focus on disaster risk reduction, rapid response, and the efficient use of local resources, while also serving as a bridge between communities and municipal authorities on environmental and disaster governance issues. This will support effective responses to environmental emergencies at the local level. These committees also promoted the efficient use of local environmental resources.

Additionally, the program conducted capacity-building training for the committees in two wards, covering topics such as understanding major disaster risks (fire, forest fire, floods, landslides), the committees’ roles and responsibilities, community-based disaster preparedness, and integrating GEDSI in disaster management. A total of 46 participants, including one person with a disability, attended the training.

Similarly, Bhajani Municipality, SNGP, continued to strengthen climate resilience and community-led adaptation through 144 community meetings and listening surveys across all eight wards to gather local perspectives, concerns, and expectations. These meetings and listening surveys engaged 5,694 residents and captured 105 community concerns, with 75 directly linked to climate change and disaster risks. In addition, to ensure alignment with local priorities, coordination meetings were also organized with elected representatives.

Similarly, the program held four climate-focused leadership development training sessions for 212 local leaders, deepening their understanding of climate impacts, inclusive development, and the role of TLOs in community action. These participatory discussions helped surface local priorities but also strengthened awareness of the interconnectedness between environmental challenges and everyday community issues.