Swiss Association for Development and Cooperation

Dhobighat, Lalitpur-3 , G.P.O. Box 688,Kathmandu, Nepal

Phone +977 1 5524925, 5522013, Fax + 977 1 5531109

po@helvetasnepal.org.np, www.helvetasnepal.org.np

  

 Participatory Village Development Plan Formulation

Badri ManandharThematic Coordinator

Governance and Peace

08 April 2015

A Citizen Engagement Project

1. Brief Background on Local Governance in Nepal

(Background and structures)

2. Participatory Village Development Plan

(Objectives, Process, Product Challenges, Opportunities,

and Indicators)

Presentation Layouts

Brief Background

1.1 Map of Nepal showing Administrative Division

Local Self Governance Acts (LSGA) (1999) and Rules (2000): Framework for decentralization in Nepal

Recognized Local Bodies as independent & autonomous units and devolved some sectoral authorities (agriculture, education & health)

A two-tier system of local governance, with village and municipal bodies as the lower tier and district bodies as the higher tier

Village level bodies: Village Development Committees (VDCs) in rural areas and Municipalities (MNs) in urban areas; District level bodies: District Development Committees (DDCs)

3276 VDCs, 191 MNs and 75 DDCs

Effective implementation of LSGA hindered mainly due to a decade long armed conflict and absence of elected representatives in local bodies

1.2 Brief Overview of Local Governance

Settlement Settlement Settlement

Ward Committee

Ward Committee

Ward Committee

Village Development Committee

Village Development Committee

Municipality (in urban areas)

District Development Committee

Illaka (Subdistrict) Illaka (Sub district) Illaka (Sub district)

VDC (9 wards)

Municipality (>9 wards)

Ward(1 Ward

Citizen Forum)

Sub District(5-15 VDCs)

No formal structure

District (9-17 Illakas)

1.3 Local Governance Structure in a District

Participatory Village Development Plan

2.1 Problems

1. Inadequate capacities of local bodies,

2. Lack of commitment at central level,

3. Absence of elected representatives at local level.

4. Scattered and uncoordinated development interventions leading to overlapping and duplication of resources and activities,

5. High transaction costs for local communities

6. Complete bypassing of local bodies and local citizens

2.2 Objectives of Citizen Engagement

• Formulation of transparent, inclusive and result oriented planning and its execution

• Strengthening the capacity of local citizens in bottom up participatory planning process

• Enhancement of collaboration and coordination among different development actors at local level

• Better utilization of local potentials and limited resources

2.4 Key Players

• Lead: A local non-governmental organization (NGO) with backstopping support of INGO

• Target audience: Overall community in a Disadvantaged Group

• Other partners: Local political parties, local CSOs/CBOs, district line agencies, local service providers and other local development partners

2.3 Key Elements of the Proposed Process:

• Focus on non-tech tools: “Digital immigrants”

• Representation and participation by all social groups

• Thick engagement of local citizens

• Open decision making with all local level stakeholders

• Accommodation of diverse and multiple interests

• Use of deliberative communication process

• Opportunity of long route as well as short route to accountability

• Emphasis on closing the feedback loop

• A plan that focuses on the prioritized sub/sectors

2.4 Proposed Process

1. Consultation with and orientation to all local level stakeholders

2. Baseline information collection, needs/gaps identification & analysis, and preparation of VDC profile

3. Selection of and training to local facilitators and their mobilization

4. Interaction & orientation & formation of plan formulation committee 5. Conduction of participatory village development planning workshop:

a. Presentation of VDC profile, identification of sub/sectors & periodic goal setting b. Formation of sectorial working groups & plan preparationc. Preparation of three year action plan for the prioritized sub/sectors

6. Preparation of five year action plan for the prioritized sub/sectors

7. Endorsement of the plan by VDC council & publication/ distribution

8. Facilitates VDC to implement the prepared periodic plan and annual plan

2.5 Proposed Product

A document which

• identifies and illustrates appropriate policies, strategies and priorities (Content)

• to attain the goals and objectives of overall development (Purpose)

• of a particular VDC (Space)

• within a stipulated timeframe (3-5 years) (Time)

2.6 Challenges/Risks

• Volatile political dynamics and vacuum of elected representatives

• Low level presence of the government officials and service providers in their duty stations

• Lack of up-to-date information

• Gaps in understanding of participatory planning among political representatives

• Lack of awareness on benefit of participatory planning at local level

2.7 Opportunities

• Political parties’ commitments towards a decentralised local governance system

• Increased volume of fiscal transfers to local bodies

• Initiation of the implementation of Minimum Conditions (MC) evaluation system for annual grant allocations

• Growing realization and awareness among the citizens to involve in local governance process

2.8 Important Metrics/Indicators & Measurement

Some Important Metrics/Indicators:• Success rate of VDCs in the Minimum Conditions assessment• Shifting of the citizen engagement from the tactical one to the

strategic one i.e. as a campaign beyond the local level• Number of “bites” (results or outcomes) made by “voices” (citizens’

views) along with “teeth” (service providers’ responsiveness)• Improvement in the citizens’ satisfaction rate

Potential Tools for Measurement:• Citizen monitoring and social audit• Public Audit Practices (Public hearing, public review and public audit)• Citizen satisfaction survey and citizen report card survey• Community score card survey• Independent third party monitoring by NGOs • Periodic assessment and evaluation

2.9 Expected Outcomes:

Thank you for your attention!