Report Type: Rural Development

The Community-Based Economic Development Project (CBED) was jointly implemented by CECI and three local NGOs: CEAPRED in Baitadi, CSD in Jumla and DEPROSC in Dadeldhura. The main aim of the project was to improve the socio-economic well-being of members of the community through participation and empowerment and the strengthening of civil society through development of community based organizations (CBOs) as viable economic institutions capable of effectively managing natural resources and improving the socio-economic conditions of their communities. This study examines the impact of the program’s activities as well as changes in the quality of life of the people in the project areas, and in surrounding areas, focusing on those socio-economic aspects, which were not covered in the on-going monitoring of the project.

The Rural Community Infrastructure Works program was implemented by the Ministry of Local Development in 1996/97 in 20 food deficient districts of Nepal. WFP provided food assistance and GTZ provided technical assistance to the program. The objectives of the program are to (i) improve the accessibility of food to rural people, (ii) improve the infrastructure of rural communities, and (iii) build the capacity of the local people to implement their own programs. With the financial support from GTZ, New ERA provided technical assistance to the program in three districts: Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalanchok and Dolakha. In each of these districts New ERA provided four professionals, an engineer, an overseer, a sociologist and a gender motivator. These professionals assisted the Ministry of Local Development in planning, implementing and evaluating the various projects undertaken by the program in the districts.