JUST SOCIETY WITH PROSPERITY

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Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre

KIRDARC2020

JUST SOCIETY WITH PROSPERITY Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre (KIRDARC) Nepal

Strategy Plan 2019-2023

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Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre(KIRDARC) has been working in the area of human rights, accountability promotion and livelihood improvement of the Karnali people since its establishment in 1999. In the last 19 years, KIRDARC has successfully implemented three strategic plans.Given the broader political change and continuousshift in the development paradigm, both inside andoutside the country, KIRDARC has reviewed,reframed and refined its strategy periodically asdeemed necessary.

This Strategic Plan developed for a period of2019 - 2023 has the vision of creating a just societywith prosperity where communities are empowered toexercise their rights and hold duty bearersaccountable, reducing inequalities for better lives andpromote sustainability. To fulfill this goal requires twoconditions to be fulfilled. First, a functional government should be established at local andregional levels. Second, the people should be able tomake the government accountable for their decisionsand actions. KIRDARC’s strategic focus is on thesecond of these two priorities. It works to empower the people so that they are able to hold thegovernments accountable and responsive towardsthe diversity and adversity of Karnali province. KIRDARC works to create a link between the peopleand the government through building relationshipsand transforming lives with dignity by educating,organizing and mobilizing primary right holders inhuman rights promoting actions .The Strategic Plan isinformed by this imperative.

In a cursory perusal, one may feel that the presentpolitical environment compels us to expedite thescope and volume of works in order to meet the ever-increasing aspirations and needs of the people in Karnali province.

ForewordThis document speaks of the reality, concernsand prospects of the people of Karnali province. The people of Karnali are striving for change for a longtime. They want a break with the humiliating past, andwant to create a future in which they can exercise their fundamental human rights, especially the right to a life with dignity. At this juncture, I would expect continuous cooperation from all stakeholders and funding partners engaged in promotion and protection of human rights in Nepal.

On behalf of KIRDARC, I would like to express a full commitment to translate this Strategic Plan into reality, and would like to thank all the community people of Karnali and key stakeholders, including KIRDARC members and staff, who participated inand worked very hard in the whole process of developing this Strategic Plan. Also thanks go to all who have provided valuable insights by reviewing and commenting on the draft at its various stages.

Gobinda Bahadur ShahiDirectorKIRDARC Nepal

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Part 1: General Background1.1 Underlining Causes1.2 Stakeholder Analysis

Objective of Strategic PlanProcess of Strategy Paper Preparation

Part 2: Strategic Framework2.1 Core Values of KIRDAC2.2 Working Principles and Approach

Part 3: Operational Plan

Theme 1.1: Inclusive Quality EducationTheme 1.2: Social InclusionTheme 1.3: Human Rights, Governance and Democracy

Theme 2.1: Food and Nutrition SecurityTheme 2.2: Resilient WashTheme 2.3: Enterprises and Business DevelopmentTheme 2.4: Health and Well-being

Theme 3.1: DRR AND Climate ChangeTheme 3.2: Mountain Biodiversity and Natural ResourcesTheme 3.3: Ecological Resilience

Theme 4.1: Gender EqualityTheme 4.2: Children, Women and Youth

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KIRDARC is committed to the holistic development of Karnali province.

KIRDARC primarily focuses its efforts in the development of Karnali region

KIRDARC since its establishment in 1999 has been recognized as a leading agency for change in Karnali, an obvious choice as a development partner in the region. Through its active and constant engagement with communities and collaboration and coordination with other development partners, KIRDARC has set an example of right-based development model: human rights promotion, community empowerment, media and civil society mobilization, development initiatives facilitation, and policy advocacy.

KIRDARC primarily focuses its efforts in the development of Karnali region, however, it adopts the strategies that go beyond the regional focus and connect upstream and downstream for sustainable mountain development and are linked to national and international issues and processes. It brings regional issues up to national and international forums in order to draw the attention of national and international

stakeholders. KIRDARC abides national and international human rights laws, principles and norms; and, operates drawing references and guidelines from international human rights movements.

In addition, KIRDARC is committed to the holistic development of Karnali province. Therefore, it has an added responsibility to carry on the broader notion of human rights, that includes ESCR and rights to development and dignified life and deepen the value of non-discriminatory practices in the region, at the same time, delivering basic services for survival of the people, and working as a catalyst for the change in the region.

As a central player for the change in the region, KIRDARC strategically strengthens its governance structure and practices; expands its scopes; institutionalizes the best practices; intensifies its relationship with partners; also to fulfill the expectation of people.

PART ONE

GENERAL BACKGROUND

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The country is in the process of implementation of 15th periodic plan which tends to transform the economy and development of the nation to achieve sustainable development goals to ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity which has emphasized on reducing the social and economical imbalance to ensure the socio-economic resilience of people. For this purpose, it focuses on improving good governance, capacity development, and ensuring non-discriminatory services to traditionally marginalized groups.

The Plan aims to achieve annual average economic growth of 10.3% and to reduce poverty incidence to13% by 2019. However, social exclusion (characterized by caste, gender, and ethnic discrimination), large economic and regional inequalities, lack of employment and income opportunities, poor governance and provision of required level of resources pose challenges in achieving the development targets. The process is likely to take its turn towards the logical conclusion to create conclusive for development work and create opportunity for meaningful social mobilization and community participation at all levels. The current situation of the Karnali region can be defined in terms of the following problems, which has informed the overall design and focus of the present strategic plan.

• Lack of understanding of human rights among the people

• Unaccountable governance• Untapped natural resources• Lack of capable development catalysts and concerted

efforts• Lack of knowledge on health

CONTEXT

1.1 UNDERLYING CAUSES

The Plan aims to achieve annual average economic growth

of 10.3%.

An analysis of stakeholder in relation to Karnali development has been carried out.

1.2 STAKEHOLDER ANALYSISIn KIRDARC’s context, stakeholder may include any individuals, group of people, institutions or private sector that may have a significant interest in the success or failure of a project, either as implementers, facilitators, beneficiaries/target groups, development partners or any other interest group. These groups may have different concerns, interest and capacities in regard to the development of Karnali region. KIRDARC occupying center-stage in Karnali development, an analysis of stakeholder in relation to Karnali development has been carried out.

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Stakeholders in the given context of KIRDARC and Karnali development may exist in the different levels.Community people and KIRDARC at the local level therefore in core. Following table presents the different levels of stakeholders.

LEVELS/ LAYERS POTENSIAL STAKE HOLDERS

INTERNATIONAL

KIRD

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Donors, Partners, Right Groups and International Organizations,

NATIONAL NHRC, Ministries, Government Departments, Rights Groups and Organizations, Development Partners, Media, DPOs (disabled people organization),

DISTRICT/REGIONAL

District level government agencies, viz., DDC, DEO, DADO, and other NGOs, Groups, Media

VDC VDC, CSO, NGOs, and VDC level government bodies, HP, Local Peace Committee, All Party Mechanism

LOCAL/COMMUNITY

CBOs, Community, Beneficiaries Households & Individuals

1.2 Stakeholder Analysis

KIRDARC formulated and successfully implemented four strategic plans since its inception in 1999. Since its establishment, it focused on the promotion and protection of Human Rights, including the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which were well reflected in those four strategic plans in the past.

The present strategic period 2019 - 2023 is, hence, a continuum of the previous strategic plans, with a consistent and added emphasis on Human Rights. KIRDARC has identified three major specific objectives in line with national as well as international goals and priorities. Resilience, Economic and social inclusion of people have been identified as the

OBJECTIVE OF STRATEGIC PLANprimary and the cross cutting priorities to empower children, youth and women for social transformation and improve livelihood for sustainable incomes. These priorities owed to KIRDARC's experiences and learning of more than nineteen years in the Karnali region. Hence, during this strategic plan period, KIRDARC aims to streamline its focus areas and contribute efficiently and effectively in improving the human rights situation in the region. At the meantime, these priority areas will also have direct bearing on attaining the objectives outlined in the National Plans, including the 15th periodic plan and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Since KIRDARC started implementing its planned activities since 2000, it has been reviewed periodically and improvised steadily. Its vision and missions were updated and objectives extended after evaluating the first Perspective Plan. The second strategic plan (2005-2009) saw much ups and downs, and landmark political changes in the country, that had direct and indirect impacts on the working of KIRDARC, too. End of a decade long Maoist-government armed conflict; declaring Nepal as a democratic republic with the overthrown of centuries long monarchy system; and, the election or the first constituent assembly were the major historical events that occurred during the second strategic plan period. Building upon the experiences of second strategic plan period, and following the changes in the socio-political context of country that led to the shift in development paradigm, the third strategic plan (2009-2013) was prepared. The Joint Annual Review 2012, based on the learning

Process of Strategy Paper Preparation

from the preceding strategic plan, clearly signaled to continue the program, but with linking the human rights activities with the communities, and institutionalization of the right based approach in all KIRDARC projects, and not stand-alone with the human rights activities. The strategic plan (2014-2018) analyzed social, political, economic and environmental factors with the consideration to the new political developments.

Based on the reviews and assessment of various documents developed at international and national level in addressing the developmental issues which includes Sustainable Development Goals, Poverty Reduction Strategic plan, Education for All (EFA), Interim Constitution, Interim Plan and the Joint Program of the current government. Similarly, the geographical and topographical set-up of Karnali region is taken into account to ensure it is appropriate to the context.

The second strategic plan

(2005-2009) saw much ups and downs

The strategic plan

(2014-2018) analyzed social, political, economic and environmental factors with the consideration to the new political developments.

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This section presents the core values, vision, mission, specific objectives and the operation strategies of KIRDARC.

PART TWOSTRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

KIRDARC always considers the right to food and right to development with equal emphasis for the people of marginalized region

KIRDARC values and recognizes the potential knowledge and competency of people of Karnali province

2.1 CORE VALUES OF KIRDARC

i. DIGNITY

ii. PLURALITY

iii. ACCOUNTABILTY AND TRANSPARENCY

KIRDARC believes in and adheres to certain organizational values and principles. These values and principles provide ideological bases for right-based approach for community centered development that aims to build capacity of people to claim their rights and to influence decision-making process.KIRADRC’s all programs are structured and guided by those values and principles. Core organizational values KIRDARC bears on are:

KIRDARC believes in Right Based Approach, where people are recognized as the active agent of their own development, for which they are capacitated to influence

KIRDARC envisages a free and open society that respects civic pluralism and cultural-religious diversity while maintaining social-cultural harmony, social reconciliation,

KIRDARC is committed to accountability and transparency with development partners, governments, community people and employees. KIRDARC believes in fulfilling

the public policy and to claim their rights. KIRDARC values and recognizes the potential knowledge and competency of people of Karnali province to cope with geo-climatic adversities and deprivation of basic human rights standards. KIRDARC believes that the fundamental rights of people should be ensured for their equal participation on community centered holistic development processes. In this context, KIRDARC always considers the promotion of human rights and endorsement of civil, political, socio-economic and cultural rights as well as the right to food and right to development with equal emphasis for the people of marginalized region.

and provides inclusive participation at all levels, mainstreaming a culture of peace. Hence, the organization promotes participatory and inclusive approaches and peaceful transformation of conflicts through creative and non-violent means.

social responsibilities, designing and implementing plans and programmes with the social objectives of addressing needs and issues of poor and excluded people and reflecting upon the programmes to achieve the declared social objectives and is open to all the key stakeholders including use of resources ensuring access of those concerned to the information regarding decisions, finance and programmes.

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iv. CO-CREATION AND INNOVATION

v. ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

KIRDARC believes on working with mutual coordination and collaboration with several potential stakeholders, donor organizations and development partners. Similarly, KIRDARC gives priority to innovative ideas for holistic development of

Karnali Province. KIRDARC believes in creating new ideas and solve problems together with diverse stakeholders contributing to an organization’s innovation process. KIRDARC works in the given geo-climatic and social environment recognizing innate capacity of Karnali people for co-creation and innovations.

KIRDARC ensures that its program will be managed in environmentally responsible manner for the long-term benefit of the people and planet. KIRDARC will maintain the principle of environmental responsibility for ensuring

environmental conservation and management as well. KIRDARCs development intervention and its consequences will not provide threat to the environment and commits for sustainability to support the needs of the present and future generations and acts in an environmentally friendly way.

• To promote human rights, strengthen governance and inclusive democratic practices

• To improve livelihoods and enhance sustainable incomes

• To create resilient mountain communities advancing upstream and downstream linkages.

• To empower children, women and youths for peaceful social transformation

• Human Rights based development• Multi-stakeholders partnerships

processes• Women and youth as change agents• Evidence based advocacy

2.2 UNDERLYING CAUSES• Environmentally responsive

development• Result based management• Collective and Open Governance

i. Vision

ii. Mission

ii. Goal

A Just society with prosperity.

KIRDARC’s mission is building relationships and transforming lives with dignity by educating, organizing and mobilizing primary right holders in human rights promoting actions; research and evidence-based policy advocacy; providing complementary services; economic empowerment and promoting socially responsible investment.

Empower communities to exercise their rights, hold duty bearers accountable, reducing inequalities for better lives and promote sustainability. KIRDARC leads to empower vulnerable, marginalized and socially excluded people to realize their fundamental human rights promoting inclusive growth and fair development.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

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This section presents the strategic objectives: the outputs, the activities suggested by the operational plan will further be refined and readjusted while preparing the annual work plan, which will essentially be based on the present operation plan

PART THREEOPERATIONAL PLAN

KIRDARC aims to reduce disaster risk and impacts of climate change by mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation

Component under this outcome is to ensure social inclusion in the family, community and institutional leve

i. Promote human rights; strengthen governance and inclusive democratic practices

ii. Improve livelihoods and enhance sustainable incomes

iii. Create resilient mountain communities advancing upstream and downstream linkages

This outcome aims to promote democratic practices and good governance among local government bodies, state institutions and stakeholders in order to

This outcome aims to increase food and nutrition security for healthy life and well-being of the right holders by ensuring sustainable investment and

This outcome aims to reduce disaster risk and impacts of climate change by mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation into

ensure the fundamental rights of the citizens among the rights holders and duty-bearers through advocacy and awareness campaigns, capacity development activities and networking and alliancebuilding initiatives in the communities. It also aims to promote inclusive quality education including lifelong learning in the schools and communities through capacity development on quality school education, enhancement in Quality Learning Environment and strengthen system of good governance practices within school. Another component under this outcome is to ensure social inclusion in the family, community and institutional level by mainstreaming social inclusion related components in each program.

engagement of multi-stakeholders for improving livelihoods. For this, it promotes initiatives of innovative technologies for diversifying agriculture, finances enterprises and business development, advocates on right to health encourage involvement of private sectors for employment generation and increase annual income, institutionalizes strong mechanism in order to build the capacity of local people and service provider agencies for promoting and increases access to safely managed WASH services and governance and promotes mountain eco-tourism.

development interventions and establishing coordination and collaboration mechanism among the state and non-state actors. It also aims to build resilient communities linking upstream and downstream communities and increase adoption of climate resilient development practices reducing

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Socially excluded, marginalized and vulnerable people have historically been deprived of their basic right to education. Moreover, the disadvantaged and marginal groups, i.e. the girls, Dalits, Janajati and other minority children are in an even worse situation. Such a poor state of education is primarily attributed to inadequate budget allocation, poor educational infrastructure, ineffective monitoring, lack of accountability on the part of key actors and geographical remoteness. Due to the lack of or inadequate understanding of the value of quality education by SMC and parents, lack of appropriate management capacity, specific monitoring and follow-up mechanism, several government policies and programs for promoting quality education have not been realized

Karnali region as a whole is lagging behind in human development and other development indices, but some groups are more discriminated and marginalized socially-culturally, economically and politically within the region. Such discrimination and marginalization are historically rooted and culturally embedded; viz, untouchability and social stigma against Dalits, Chaupadi system and other discriminatory practices against women, harmful religious beliefs that approve discrimination and

THEME1.1: INCLUSIVE QUALITY EDUCATION

THEME1.2: SOCIAL INCLUSION

iii. Empower children, women and youths for peaceful social transformation

This outcome promotes gender equality by ensuring gender-sensitive policies and practices to fulfill the rights of women, children for their meaningful participation and leadership in political institutions, development policies and processes

and preventing and ending gender-based violence, social problems or ill-practices and changing discriminatory social norms, attitudes and behavior in the society for social transformation. Social campaigns and Gender Audits, mainstreaming gender responsive budget, capacity development, encouraging men's engagement for gender equality, supporting for safe migration, carrying out networking & leadership development through SAMVAD or supporting volunteerism and Youth Exchanges (ICS) will be carried out.

threats to ecological resilience as well as mountain bio-diversity and natural resources. For this, conducting action research and learning, facilitating adaptation actions/technology (models), advocating and mainstreaming on disaster and climate changes issues of mountain & hill region, capacity development, technology transfer, strengthen groups and local CBOs will be done.

in the practice. Therefore, despite the fact that the overall access to education has become better in the region, but the hard-core groups: ultra poor, vulnerable, and extremely marginalized groups, are still out of school, thereby deprived of quality education. The theme aims for Inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all and will focus on partnerships and coordination with local government agencies, civil society organizations and other development agencies to specifically address the underlying problems in promoting quality education and will increase access of children, especially hard core group (Dalits, ultra poor and disabilities,) in education system

marginalization of Dalits, women, people with disability and minorities, exposing them to more vulnerable situation.

Development interventions in general overlook their special needs, consequently the neediest section of the society are denied the benefits of such interventions. A social security scheme of the government is apparently inadequate and inefficient. Their participation is not considered as important at the local level of development interventions, let alone their

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Human rights violations and abuses are still a major problem to be addressed, and there is apparently a lack of respect and response to human rights issues among state actors, and other stakeholders. Similarly, there is no adequate monitoring and reporting mechanism in place to take up the issues to the concerned ones.

Inadequate service delivery system of local government bodies, state institutions and duty-bearers, thereby persistence of discriminations based on caste, ethnicity, religious beliefs, gender and geographical location are attributed to the lack of democratic practices and good

THEME1.3: HUMAN RIGHTS, GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRACY

participation in decision-making; hence, are denied of several of their fundamental rights. Coordinated and concerted efforts of various rights holders and duty-bearers, right campaigns and movement with the objectives of empowerment and ensuring the meaningful participation of deprived communities is an urgent need to change

the situation in favor of marginalized and minorities of the region. Under this theme Series of inte ventions will be carried out to empowering the community people to act against the all forms of discriminations, at the meantime, maintaining and promoting the social harmony.

governance. The situation of democratic practices and good governance is bleaker in the region. The situation can be improved by promoting democratic practices and good governance among local government bodies, state institutions and stakeholders in order to undertake the fundamental rights of the citizens of Karnali region. Under this theme focused program for awareness raising and capacity building on democracy and good governance practices for community people, integrating local institutions and district-based organizations: state and non-state duty-bearers will be carried out.

The region is identified as the poorest and most food insecure region in Nepal, with food production sufficient for only 3-5 months of the year. The recent data says more than 42 percent of Karnali residents live below the poverty line, almost double the national average (25.16 percent), while all five districts rank among the lowest in the Human Development Index (HDI) in Nepal. Most excruciating is the child health status in the region. More than 60 percent (against the national average of 41 percent) of Karnali children under the age of five are stunted (low weight for age) primarily due to chronic under-nutrition, indicating the denied access to an adequate food supply and proper healthcare. Undernourished children are more likely to die from common childhood ailments and, for those whosurvive, are likely to have recurring sicknesses and faltering growth.

THEME2.1: FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITYTherefore, interventions are urgent in order to enhance nutritional status of Karnali children, providing proper education in preparing nutritious foods with the available resources, and facilitating and capacitating the GoN mechanisms for ensuring the required food facilities in this region. This theme aims for sustainable production and access to food security to encourage and strengthen the state organization working in health sectors to ensure regular monitoring and follow-up of the health institutions and available resources and Conduct various awareness campaigns for educating people on nutritional facilities and the basic health service provided by the GoN. This also involves promoting sustainable agricultural, supporting small-scale farmers and equal access to land, technology and markets.

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Poor sanitation and hygiene practices are one of the major problems of public health in the region. Only less than 15 percent of households have access to toilets; and even fewer households have access to safe drinking water. Hospital record shows that more than 50 percent people visiting hospital for treatment in Karnali have reported cases of water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea. In addition to lack of access to public health facilities and structural barriers to attain them, the situation is compounded due to the lack of awareness among the people in the region. By providing infrastructural facilities, removing structural barriers, and most importantly raising the awareness among the people and building their capacity to become competence in proper WASH practices in rural areas can change the public health situation in the region.

The Karnali has very little access to and participation in the developmental services. Agriculture, animal husbandry, and cottage industries all of which depend on local natural resources make up virtually all of the economy. The traditional technology, the often-obsolete means of production, the growing population, and the increasing attraction of modern lifestyles have all adversely affected the standard of livings. But several studied have suggested various potential sectors, which have scope of creating employment opportunities with appropriate interventions and local innovations. The proper utilization of

Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre Health service delivery is apparently inadequate in Karnali region. Although the GoN has promised to provide basic health services for all, there is still a lack of basic health facilities and health professional in Karnali. Despite several but less-promising efforts of GoN, and endeavors of NGOs, coupled with lack of

THEME2.2: RESILIENT WASH

THEME2.3: ENTERPRISES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

THEME2.4: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Similarly, GoN is also focusing on addressing this problem through coordination and collaboration with several organizations. In this context, it is necessary to institutionalize the WASH governance in all districts of Karnali region by promoting the capacity of state and non-state actors in the region. There is strong need of Institutionalization of a strong mechanism in order to build the capacity of local people and service provider agencies for promoting the effective WASH governance in the region. The theme will aim to establishing a coordination and collaboration mechanisms to address the situation by supporting the construction of a water supply scheme, and sanitation facilities. Facilitate for mainstreaming of WASH stakeholders in local and district/regional level for sustainable and quality service delivery.

available natural resources, for e.g., forest resources, aromatic and medicinal herbs, promotion of innovative technologies for diversifying crop production, and involvement of private sectors for employment generation could promote the livelihood conditions of the people of Karnali region. This theme aims to capacity building of the people by providing training for improving living conditions of Karnali region through employment opportunities. Facilitate appropriate vocational training for youths, women particular, and promote them in establishing local enterprises.

proper management and regular follow-up mechanisms, people in the regions are deprived of basic health services. This theme aims to increase access to safe, effective, quality and affordable quality essential health-care services decreasing child and maternal morbidity rate including for family planning, information and education.

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Karnali region is highly vulnerable to natural disasters and epidemics. Furthermore, the increasing impact of disasters and climate change tends to affect poor and ultra-poor people in a more intense manner. Current systems and practices of responding to disasters and climate change impacts by enacting disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation programs, and by mainstreaming DRR and CCA issues are not adequate. The development intervention focusing on DRR and CCA is still not a priority agenda for many other organizations especially in Karnali region. Thousands of people are affected by natural disasters like floods and landslides, leading them to more vulnerable condition jeopardizing their livelihood Consequently, DRR and CCA are

Nepal has experienced enormous challenges in conserving the country’s biodiversity, from the mountains to the Terai. The main threats to mountain biodiversity unsustainable use of natural resources, lack of economic alternatives, population growth, and cultural and religious factors that influence local communities' behavior in ways that impact biodiversity. And climate change is having increasing impacts on people and nature, in some cases exacerbating indirect drivers of biodiversity loss. This theme aims to

The geophysical environment and intensified human use has increased the vulnerability of mountain social ecological systems to risk from hazards. Climate change had threaten the sustained provision of essential ecosystem services for people living in and downstream of mountain regions. The increasing evidence of the vulnerability of mountain social-ecological systems has highlighted the urgent need for policy-relevant research into ways of coping with these trends.

THEME3.1: DRR AND CLIMATE CHANGE

THEME3.2: MOUNTAIN BIODIVERSITY AND NATURAL RESOURSES

THEME3.3: ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE

not yet been prioritized. In this backdrop, a holistic approach to underline and link the issue in other development interventions; and establishing a coordination and collaboration mechanism among the state and non-state actors can improve the situation with regard to DRR and CCA. This theme aims strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. Advocacy and mainstreaming the DRR and climate change into local developmental interventions and Awareness and capacity building of local communities, local institutions, and stakeholders on effective planning and response on disaster and climate change issues will be the focus under this theme.

promote Mountain eco-tourism and Technology transfer, Knowledge to local people about natural resource management. It aims to strengthen governance in natural resource management, improve livelihoods of forest dependent communities and improve local stewardship in conserving natural resources. This includes promoting meaningful participation and equitable benefit sharing for poor and marginalized groups, and for women reducing the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity.

Mountain regions are subject to a variety of hazardous processes. Earthquakes, landslides, snow avalanches, floods, debris flows, epidemics and fires, among other processes, have caused injury, death, damage and destruction. This theme aims to resilience building in understanding the impact of hazards in mountain areas and develop positive institutional linkages with other social ecological systems in the face of hazards.

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Ending all forms of discrimination against girls and boys is not only the basic human rights but it’s crucial forempowering girls and women in the development. Political decision making and governance continue to be dominated by men, In today’s context also there are still large gender inequalities persist depriving women of Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre rights and opportunities and hampering the progress in all developmental settings in Karnali region.

The children, youth and women, in Karnali region are uniquely in vulnerable condition. Women have long borne the brunt of poverty and social injustice; continue discrimination and violence due to patriarchal culture and their lack of knowledge, skills and economic opportunities. Children and youth face highest physiological and social risks children are more vulnerable to malnutrition, diseases and death than other age groups. Youth are more likely to engage in risky behavior, be victims of violence due to

THEME4.1:GENDER EQUALITY

THEME 4.2: CHILDREN, WOMEN AND YOUTH

Throughout their lives, women are subjected to different forms of gender-based violence and discrimination and denied equal access to legal rights and basic services, including health care, education and justice. So, this theme aims for the empowerment of women and girls promoting women’s participation and leadership in political institutions and processes and preventing and ending gender-based violence as well as Capacity building of marginalized and vulnerable group.

the lack of participation in development policies and process. The theme aims to advocate and campaign for better practices and policies to fulfill the rights of children, women and youth and to ensure their voices. Networking and leadership will be developed through social campaigns to create awareness about social transformation reducing social malpractices and structural violence in community.

Children and youth face highest physiological and social risks

Theme 4.1 aims for the empowerment of women and girls promoting women’s participation and leadership in political institutions

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Sanepa, Lalitpur01-5548040, 5548321Toll free number: 16600109109www.kirdarc.org

Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre (KIRDARC) Nepal

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JUST SOCIETY WITH PROSPERITY