Community collaboration in Nepal

Women must have equitable access to the effects of development, and utilize the benefits of fundamental income-generating projects. Gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the determination to fight all forms of gender-based discrimination are at the centre. CECI Nepal has implemented ways to increase sustainable development and actions to eliminate poverty and exclusion.

The Sustainable Use of Technology for Public Sector Accountability in Nepal - SUSASAN was implemented with financial support from the government of Canada. The project is aimed at liberating and mainstreaming integrated technologies for public sector accountability in Nepal. The project complements the Nepal Government’s ongoing initiatives and programs related to the promotion of transparency and citizen-state engagement. The project addresses the participation and demand of citizen facilitated support and empowerment, including women in rural areas developing their home businesses and working in agriculture. One of the programs I learned about was the IMS (infrastructure management program) in the dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city. This initiative brings scattered data all in one platform for public dissemination. It improves civic engagement, transparency and accountability and is part of the first local government's initiatives in implementing the IMS.

The app helps communicate drainage and construction improvements through the IMS. Members of the community also use the app for managing budgets for sports. Growing up in Canada, sports were a big part of my life and funding programs like these are readily available. It's amazing to see Nepal itulize the IMS to help rural areas gain the support they need and raise awareness for sports.

With the Techno hub, it is easier to monitor the progress of responding to citizen complaints. Members of the local women’s cooperative participate in leadership training provided by the SUSASAN project, and use social accountability tools to keep up to date on the government's plans and policies. Their annual programs and budgeting processes are vouched for with the app and are able to make improvements, ie better transportation access for farming.

CECI offers governance and accountability mechanisms through integrated technology offered through Susasan. Through the community lead initiative, a registered women’s group named Srijanshil Agriculture Farmers Group was formed. Community members were able to obtain Dhaka weaving training from the allocated budget for women's development and form a small scale Dhaka weaving business.

I'm excited to more initiatives roll out in the future as CECI Nepal continuously innovates.