annual report 2015/2016 - practical...

2015/2016Annual Report

CONTENTSPractical Action

Message from the Director

Acknowledgements

Acronyms

Programme Areas

>> Access to energy

>> Agriculture, markets and food security

>> Urban waste, water and sanitation

>> Disaster risk reduction

Practical Answers

© Practical Action, 2016

No use of this publication may be made for resale or other commercial purpose without prior permission of the copyright holder.

Text and production coordination Archana Gurung and Upendra Shrestha

Cover Image: Practical Action beneficiary in Dhading, Archana Gurung

Images: Practical Action unless stated otherwise

Printed on woodfree paper

REDUCING POVERTY THROUGH

TECHNOLOGY JUSTICE

1345

715233141

MISSIONTo contribute to poor people’s wellbeing using technology to challenge poverty by:

• building the capabilities of poor people;• improving their access to technical

options and knowledge; and• working with them to influence social,

economic and institutional systems for innovation and the use of technology.

VISIONA sustainable world free of poverty and injustice in which technology is used to the benefit of all.

Practical Action was established with the objective of reducing poverty through the wider use of appropriate technologies in the

developing world. With its head office in the UK, Practical Action works in more than 45 countries, including India, through its

country and regional offices in Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, Sudan and Zimbabwe. Practical Action’s approach is guided by its

vision of a sustainable world free of poverty and injustice, in which technology is used for the benefit of all.

In Nepal, Practical Action started its work during 1979 and signed a general agreement with

the Social Welfare Council in 1998. In its current strategy period 2012 -2017, Practical

Action is focused on leveraging large scale change to contribute to poverty

reduction, technology justice and sustainable wellbeing for all. The strategy focuses on four

areas of work in particular where Practical Action has recognised expertise.

These areas are:

Access to energy – Sustainable access to modern energy

services for all by 2030.

Agriculture, markets and food security – A transition to

sustainable systems of agriculture and natural resource

management that provides food security and livelihoods for

the rural poor.

Urban water, sanitation and waste– Improved access to

drinking water, sanitation and waste services for urban

dwellers.

Disaster risk reduction – Reduced risk of disasters for

marginalised groups and communities

In addition, Practical Action is investing in learning and the

development of best practices on cross cutting themes:

Climate change, making markets work for the poor and

knowledge sharing through Practical Answers.

ACCE

SS TO

ENERGY

AGRICULTURE, MARKETS AND FOOD SECU

RITYU

RBAN

WASTE, W

ATER AND SANITATIONDISASTER RIS

K RED

UCTIO

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REDUCING POVERTY THROUGH

TECHNOLOGY

JUSTICE

Practical Action

2 ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16

A woman farmer selling produces at a Saturday Haat Bazar in Doti

3ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16

Another year of our dedication, efforts and impacts, 2015-16 has given us excitement and encouragement both in many different

ways. It gives me utter happiness to be sharing the highlights of 2015-16 in this annual report. This report is not just a nutshell

of data and statistics but also a snapshot of change driven by Practical Action on the ground and its contribution to policy

and practice. I believe, through this annual report, we are able to reflect our learning, success in transforming lives and our

application of technology justice to bring about positive impacts on the lives of poor people. Like in previous years, we have

continued to learn and grow more. The upcoming pages will elaborate our collaborative efforts for development through a range

of partnerships and projects.

During this period, we added a milestone in agriculture and markets by launching an exciting new project, BICAS – (Building

Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Capacity of CSOs in Agriculture and Forest Sectors). The project will build institutional capacity

of the local non-state actors for inclusive and sustainable growth in Bajhang, Bajura, Jumla, Kalikot and Mugu Districts targeting

7,000 smallholder farmers. Through our project Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture for Nutrition and Food Security (POSAN-

FS), about 4,055 households have assured access to Micro Irrigation Technology (MIT). Meanwhile, this year has been a great

success for our Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme; owing to the intervention of Safa and Swastha Gulariya

project, the entire Bardiya District has been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF). This impact after construction of 11,246 toilets

in Gulariya has been recognised and widely applauded by Government of Nepal (GoN). The project ‘Delivering Decentralisation:

Slum Dwellers' Access to Decision Making for Pro Poor Infrastructure Services' successfully concluded this year and benefited

12,652 people residing in unmanaged settlement. The project supported slum dwellers by developing their confidence to

engage in preparing participatory plans with Local Authorities (LAs).

Under our Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programme, we protected the lives and assets of nearly 75,000 households residing

across Karnali, Koshi, Kankai and Kamala River Basins through the Early Warning Systems (EWS) to flood risks. In Nepal, the

annual number of deaths caused by Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) is estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to be over

22,800; more than double the toll of 9,000 lives claimed by Gorkha Earthquake in April 2015. To address this alarming issue,

our energy programme has accelerated effort in minimising IAP in very vulnerable communities of Nepal. Through our Results

Based Financing (RBF) approach, more than 9000 houses already have improved cook stoves and more than 100 hood stoves

have been installed. Having established working markets, we now expect many communities to install hood stoves in the days

to come. Elsewhere, Practical Answers, the demand and need driven knowledge services of Practical Action was able to respond

to 98 per cent of 65,459 technical enquiries we received from the target communities.

As Practical Action is based on its foundation of finding sustainable solutions through application of technology, we have

promoted and demonstrated many innovative technological solutions to address arrays of constraints this year as well. To

manage urban toilet waste, we launched a Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) plant in Gulariya Municipality, the first of its kind in

Nepal. Our technical solution for low cost and effective irrigation through the innovative Barsha Pump is operating in full swing

saving almost 70 per cent of irrigation cost compared to conventional irrigation methods. We have brought a total of 25 pumps

into operation, benefitting farmers in 17 districts and all 5 development regions.

I believe that during the past year we have added vital value to our mission of building capabilities and improving access to

knowledge and appropriate technologies for the benefit of the poorest people. I am grateful towards everyone who has been

part of the change that we were able to create and all the generous donors who have supported our work. I would also thank

the Government of Nepal (GoN) and all of our partners who share the achievements equally with us. And lastly, I genuinely

thank the people – our beneficiaries who believed in us and worked together with us to make things better.

Happy reading!!

Achyut Luitel Regional Director

Message from the Director

Practical Action sincerely acknowledges the financial as well as moral support provided by individuals, trusts and organisations.

We would like to specially thank the following individuals and organisations for supporting our mission:

European UnionUKaidZurich Insurance Company LimitedGIZUSAIDOxford Policy Management LimitedIMC Worldwide Limited

Christian AidaQystaWI (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy)ICIMODDeutsch-Nepalische Gesellschaft v.V. (DNG) Nepal Himalayan Park StiftungThe Glacier Trust

Acknowledgements

Women of Dhading share smile after hood stoves were installed in their kitchens


AFS Agriculture and Food Security

BDS Business Development Service

CAP Community Action Plans

CBDP Community Based Disaster Preparedness

CBS Central Bureau of Statistics

CEVeM Community-managed Energy Service for Vegetable

Market-chain

CLTS Community Led Total Sanitation

CLRCs Community Library and Resource Centres

CO Carbon Monoxide

CPGD Climate Proofing Growth and Development

CSDR Centre for Social Development and Research

CSO Civil Society Organisation

CTEVT Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training

CWG Crosscutting Working Group

DADO District Agriculture Development Office

DDC District Development Committee

DEOC District Emergency Operation Centre

DHM Department of Hydrology and Meteorology

DLSO District Livestock Service Office

DP Disaster Preparedness

DRM Disaster Risk Management

DRR Disaster Risk Reduction

DVCCC District Value Chain Coordination Committee

DUDBC Department of Urban Development and Building

Construction

DVCCC District Value Chain Coordination Committee

ECHO European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil

Protection

ENPHO Environment and Public Health Organisation

EWS Early Warning System

FFS Farmers’ Field School

FNCCI Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce

and Industries

FBD Forests and Biodiversity

FSTP Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant

GESI Gender and Social Inclusion

GoN Government of Nepal

GGR Gravity Goods Ropeway

HKH Hindu Kush Himalayan

HNWI High Net Worth Individual

IAP Indoor Air Pollution

ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain

Development

ICT Information and Communications Technology

IFRC International Federation of Red Cross and Red

Crescent Societies

AcronymsKMC Knowledge Management Committee

LDC Least Developed Countries

LDTA Local Development Training Academy

LLP Local Level Planning

LRP Local Resource Person

MHP Micro Hydro Plant

MIT Micro Irrigation Technology

MSMSC Market System Management Stakeholder

Committee

MSMCC Multi Stakeholder Market Coordination Committee

MSNP Multi Sector Nutritional Plan

MUS Multi Use Water System

NAP National Adaptation Plan

NMB Nepal Merchant Bank Ltd

NRCS Nepal Red Cross Society

NRA National Reconstruction Authority

NTC Nepal Telecom

NTFP Non Timber Forest Product

ODF Open Defecation Free

OPML Oxford Policy Management Limited

PDNA Post Disaster Need Assessment

PM Particulate Matter

PMM Participatory Market Mapping

POSANFS Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture for Nutrition

and Food Security

PVPS Photovoltaic Pumping System

RBF Result Based Financing

READ Rural Education and Action Development

RIU Research Into Use

SLNS School Led Nutrition System

SLTS School Led Total Sanitation

SWC Social Welfare Council

TLO Tole Lane Organisation

TNCH Tourism, Natural and Cultural Heritage

TWG Thematic Working Group

UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change

UK United Kingdom

USI Urban Settlements and Infrastructure

VAEWs Village Agriculture Extension Workers

VAHWs Village Animal Health Workers

VDC Village Development Committee

WASH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

WHO World Health Organisation

W-WASH-CC Ward Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Coordination

Committee



Energy brings enterprises and employment at people's doorsteps, a happy beneficiary in Myagdi

Our energy programme increases access to energy for poor people so they can use clean and efficient technologies for lighting and cooking.

This programme focuses on demonstrating the efficiency of decentralised energy systems, with particular focus on achieving minimum energy

standards to achieve universal access to energy by 2030.

Households availed hood stoves

177

12,000Households availed clean cook stoves

Enterprises set up

177

Micro hydro benefited

38

Households with energy access

3600

Districts covered

15

Access to Energy


Detailed research is underpinning our results based financing

for the sustainable hood-stove market project. The study

developed a package of a specifically designed technology

combining a smoke hood and an improved biomass cook

stove to provide clean, efficient and safe cooking solutions

for rural households. The project is using results based

financing measures to establish a sustainable market for the

hood stoves by promoting private sector engagement in hood

stove businesses. The project aims to benefit over 30,000

households within the project period.

In this reporting period, we have set up RBF funds in

collaboration with the Nepal Merchant Bank Ltd (NMB).

The bank has signed agreements with three hood stove

manufacturing companies and four district cooperative

associations in the project districts. In turn, these cooperative

associations have signed agreements with 20 local

cooperatives. The hood stove manufacturing companies

make initial investments and develop hood stove markets

by marketing, fabricating, transporting and installing hood

stoves. Currently, three companies are fabricating and

supplying hood stoves, while local cooperatives are providing

loans to their members to purchase the hood stove. A market

system of portable cook stoves and hood stoves has been

established in which seven portable cook stove suppliers,

one cook stove manufacturer, 12 local distributors and three

hood stove fabricators/installers were actively involved. In

addition, 50 local marketing agents and 24 cooperatives are

active in the supply chain. Overall, more than 9000 cook

stoves have been sold and above 100 hood stoves have been

installed so far.

ObjectiveTo promote hood stoves through sustainable market creation and financing

Target Group30,000 households using solid biomass fuel for cooking with inefficient cook stoves

Implementing Period August 2014 to July 2018

Project Area Gorkha, Dhading, Rasuwa and Makwanpur Districts

Implementing Partners GORETO, Gorkha; Multi-Dimensional Resource Centre (MRC-Nepal), Makwanpur; Indoor Smoke Alleviation and Environment Protection Forum Nepal (ISAEPF Nepal), Rasuwa; and Forum for Community Upliftment System (FOCUS Nepal), Dhading

Funded byUK aid through Energising Development (EnDev)

Result Based Financing for Sustainable Hood stove Market

Project BenefittedMore than 12000 hood stoves disseminated

Kitchen smoke running out of chimney hood, Dhading


CEVeM is being implemented in Makwanpur and Dhading

Districts. CEVeM aims to increase the production level

and quality of vegetables by demonstrating viability of

an innovative business model. This model uses portfolio,

impact investment and grants for community organisation

managed irrigation systems using PVPS. The project

ensures a reliable supply of energy for irrigation which

will in turn enable 150 households to increase their

production of quality vegetable throughout the year. We

have successfully collaborated in two pilot projects which

demonstrated the financial viability of cooperative managed

irrigation system using PVPS.

In this reporting period, a detail feasibility study of the

two sites (Aarubastar, Salang-09 in Dhading and Basan,

Chatiwan-02 in Makwanpur) has been completed. Farmers

from both communities have agreed on estimated costs

and have committed to contribute as proposed. The

bidding process for both sites is underway and following

its completion, installation work will be initiated. Training

on project management and financial management,

including the operation and maintenance of PVPS, to

Energy Service Providers (ESP) employees has taken

place. Our project partner SunFarmer has provided on-

the-job training. Moreover, farmers and cooperatives were

supported to improve the market chain for vegetables.

ObjectiveTo pilot an innovative business model that uses portfolio, impact investment and grants for a community organisation-managed irrigation system using Photovoltaic Pumping Systems (PVPS) for increased production and enhanced quality of vegetable production.

Target Group150 smallholder farmers

Implementing Period April 2015 – March 2017

Project Area Dhading and Makwanpur Districts

Implementing Partners MRC Nepal, Hetauda and Focus Nepal, Dhading

Funded byWISIONS (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy)

Community-managed Energy Service for Vegetable Market-chain (CEVeM)

Project Benefitted20 households in Dhading and 43 housholds in Makwanpur

Irrigation using energy systems helps multiply agricultural yields


ObjectiveTo contribute to the vision of “Building Back Better” to rebuild disaster resilient communities by restoring sustainable energy access

Target GroupSix Micro Hydropower Plants (MHPs) and their beneficiaries (2,500 people)

Implementing Period September 2015 – October 2017

Project Area Gorkha

Implementing Partners GORETO, Gorkha

Funded byWISIONS (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy)

RISE

Project Benefitted3 MHPs comprising 580 Hhs

Rebuilding Infrastructure for Sustainable Energy Access

(RISE) will build disaster resilient communities using

sustainable energy access by rehabilitating earthquake

damaged microhydro systems to restore livelihood

options of communities and individuals. The project

is working towards restoring electricity access for

lighting and operating appliances for information and

communication at domestic level as well as for powering

enterprises and community services. The project will

rehabilitate three MHPs in Gorkha District to power 550

households and 10 enterprises. The rehabilitation of

MHPs will also restore electricity connection to schools

and health posts in the area.

During this reporting period, the project conducted a rapid

assessment survey for seven MHPs and six communities

agreed to begin reconstruction. The project has prepared

detailed project reports of all six MHPs with incorporation

of earthquake resilient MHP design. Of those six, the

project has identified three MHPs for rehabilitation. Two

have already achieved the required equity contribution.

The other is in the process for equity investment

commitment. Bidding documents for rehabilitation are

prepared and is in process for tendering. Moreover, the

project has been acknowledged by District Environment,

Energy and Climate Change Section of District

Development Committee (DDC) in different forums.

A rehabilitated microhydro powerhouse in Baglung


Bhim runs a bakery that supplies bread to his local community. He

used to bake bread in a traditional wood fired oven and spent hours

and hours every day kneading dough using his hands and baking

bread in a tiny mud-brick building filled with choking smoke. This

technique was not just full of hassle but was inefficient as well; even

the production was low. Despite his hard work, he had a very difficult

time to make ends meet for his family.

But things soon changed when he was introduced to a practical solution

to his problems. Through improved renewable energy infrastructure

and micro-enterprise support and training sessions by Practical Action,

Bhim turned his bakery into a modern enterprise. After learning about

the benefits of formal registration of businesses, he obtained an official

company license, prepared his first business plan and set targets of

his business growth. With a formal plan and having taken advice from

microenterprise experts from Practical Action, Bhim gained confidence

to take a major risk. He used the land that he owned as collateral to

obtain loan from a local cooperative. With the loan, he equipped his

bakery with an efficient electric oven and mixing machine.

This has revolutionised the business – and now he produces enough

bread for his whole community. His income has gone up to around NPR

309,000 (£2,275) a year, and all seven members of his family now work in

the bakery. On top of everything, he and his family are now rid of harmful

smoke produced by the traditional baking technique.

REENERGISED BREAD MAKER

Bhim turned his bakery into a modern enterprise. After learning about the benefits of formal registration of businesses, he obtained an official company license and prepared his first business plan and set targets of his business growth.


Indoor air pollution claims lives of 4.3 million people around

the world annually, which is a combination of annual deaths

claimed by TB, Aids and Malaria. In Nepal, the annual

number of deaths is estimated by the WHO to be 22,800,

more than double the toll of 9,000 deaths caused by the

Gorkha Earthquake of April 2015. Nepal is particularly

vulnerable to this problem. Due to cold temperatures in

the highland of central Nepal, indoor fires are used not

only for cooking but also the heating of indoor spaces. Use

of solid fuels and traditionally inefficient cooking stoves

in poorly ventilated houses has resulted in smoke levels

that far exceeds the maximum recommended by the WHO.

Household smoke causes bronchitis, pneumonia, lung cancer

and asthma, particularly amongst women who spend most of

the time working in the kitchen and children aged under-five,

who stay with their mothers in the kitchen.

Our solution, hood stove combining better ventilation with

improved stoves provide a complete package specifically

designed to tackle both issues of inefficient use of biomass

fuel and high levels of harmful emissions. Hood stoves have

already been shown to burn biomass more efficiently, whilst

removing approximately 84 per cent of household smoke.

This brings the emissions close to the WHO standard of 24

hour mean of 25µg/m3 for PM2.5 and 7mg/m3 for Carbon

Monoxide (CO). The use of hood stoves also better suits

the local needs and traditional practices, which uses smoke

for various purposes including preserving timbers of roofs

and beams, drying meat, heating homes during cold as well

as being a more appropriate solution for the local cooking

practices and cooking pot sizes.

Technology Brief

HOOD STOVESAgainst 'Killer in the Kitchen'

Hood stove installation in Gorkha


Practical Action beneficiary in Gorkha


Feminisation in agriculture sector demands women friendly agri-technologies


This programme strives to bring a visible impact on food production in food insecure areas through promoting ecosystem based agriculture, improving agricultural technology, creating a farmer-friendly infrastructure, and market system development. The work under this sector over the strategic period aims to significantly increase the income of smallholder farmers through

sustainable production and the development of linked rural markets.

Agriculture, Markets and Food Security

Food secured households

7000

Districts covered

15

75000Smallholder farmers

benefited

CSOs being capacitated

45


The Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture for Nutrition and

Food Security (POSAN FS) project has been working in the

most food insecure region in Nepal. Nutritional food security

is expected to be achieved through the commercialisation

of goat, vegetable and spice sub-sectors and improved

nutrition for women, children and vulnerable groups. Disease

and drought resistant varieties, water efficient irrigation

technologies such as drip and sprinkler, post-harvest

technology, improved breed, feed, shed, and disease and

pest management are all key technologies promoted by the

project to help farmers improve productivity and access to

the markets in order to commercialise their farming.

ObjectiveTo improve food and nutritional security of 7,000 food insecure households in Achham, Doti, Bajhang and Bajura Districts of Far Western Region in Nepal

Target GroupSmallholder farmers

Implementing Period April 2014 to March 2017

Project Area Doti, Achham, Bajhang and Bajura Districts

Implementing Partners SEBAC Nepal and Saipal Development Society (SDS)

Funded byThe European Union

POSAN

Project Benefitted7,530 Households

In this reporting period, improved production technologies

and practices were demonstrated, disseminated and adopted

which helped to commercialise the three sub-sectors.

A total of 220 demonstrations of improved production

technologies benefitted 1,622 households and 143 irrigation

technologies benefitting 1,902 households. Several activities

were carried out by village animal health workers (VAHWs),

village agriculture extension workers (VAEWs) and agrovets.

They established Resource Centres and a Market System

Management Stakeholder Committee (MSMSC) to strengthen

the value chain of the three sub-sectors. Sixty Business

Development Service (BDS) comprising 43 local experts, 17

agrovets and 14 collection centres/points were developed.

About 4,055 households have used MIT, production inputs,

vet services and technical services at local level. To broaden

the reach, eight cluster level networks formed in the first

year, the Multi Stakeholder Market Coordination Committee

(MSMCC) was formed to deal with the market related

problems at local level. Three cooperative-led Resource

Centres and 13 farmer-led Resource Centres were established

to provide breeding, veterinary and dipping tank services.

With an aim of reducing malnutrition among women and

children, several interventions were carried out. A total of

13 diet-related fairs were conducted in which 30,000 people

participated. As of the end of March, 611 homestead gardens

have been improved, of which 176 households have back

yard poultry with an improved semi-intensive crop. School-


led Nutrition Systems (SLNS) were continued in 18 schools

to motivate students and teachers to work as change agents

in sharing and disseminating nutrition-related knowledge

amongst friends, families and neighbours.

A mid-term evaluation has been carried out by the Social

Welfare Council (SWC) which rated the project

with seven points, underlining this project’s

excellent performance. The

recommendations received

from the evaluation will be

implemented

in the coming

reporting period.

Practical Action has been implementing this pilot project

under Securing Water For Food (SWFF): A Grand Challenge for

Development Programme. The project is being implemented

in partnership with aQysta B. V., a private start-up company

based in the Netherlands. The project is demonstrating Barsha

pump – a zero energy water pump which uses the kinetic

energy of flowing river or canal water to lift water for irrigation.

The project is piloting Barsha pump to modify the technology

to adapt to local needs and to increase efficiency. It is a simple

technology that works on the proven principle of a spiral

pumping mechanism and is propelled by energy from the flow

of water to pump part of streaming water to higher located

fields without the need for active mechanical parts to create the

pumping action.

In this reporting period, a total of 25 pumps came into

operation, benefitting farmers in 17 districts in all 5

development regions of Nepal. To enable the wider adoption of

the Barsha Pump, Practical Action is working with government

and non-government projects and organisations, private sectors,

local manufacturers, distributors and intermediary grassroot

level organisations like local community co-operatives.

ObjectiveTo ensure affordable irrigation solutions to farmers who live in areas of water scarcity

Target GroupSmallholder farmers

Implementing Period October 2014 to September 2016

Project Area Along the side of the canals and river corridors in hilly and terai regions of Nepal

Implementing Partners aQysta

Funded byUSAID, Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the Netherlands

Barsha: An innovative and Sustainable Irrigation Pump for Smallholder Farmers

Project BenefittedMore than 900 people

Barsha pump on its way to installation

Commercial spice farming improves farmers' incomes in far-west Nepal, Chitwan


Building Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Capacity

of CSOs in Agriculture and forest Sectors (BICAS) is

designed to build the capacity of local non-state actors

to bring about inclusive and sustainable growth in

Bajhang, Bajura, Jumla, Kalikot and Mugu Districts.

People in the Karnali Region, where less than two per

cent land is arable, are mainly dependent on agriculture,

Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) collection, wage

labour and remittances. The project is working with

local CSOs to promote small and light infrastructures,

input and technology promotion, and market linkage at

various levels. The project has target of reaching 7,000

smallholder farmers in three years.

ObjectiveTo build capacity of 45 CSOs to promote inclusive and sustainable growth and increase income of 7,000 households from agriculture and forest based enterprises in Bajhang, Bajura, Jumla, Kalikot and Mugu Districts in Nepal

Target GroupLocal CSOs

Implementing Period February 2016 to January 2019

Project Area Bajhang, Bajura, Jumla, Kalikot and Mugu Districts

Implementing Partners Saipal Development Society (SDS), Human Resource Centre (HRC), and Sustainable and Equitable Development Academy (SEDA) Nepal


BICAS


Practical Action has been piloting the Access to Capital for Rural Enterprises

(ACRE) programme for an initial two year period in consortium with four other

INGOs (Christain Aid, Traidcraft, Challenges Worldwide and Twin). The aim of

this pilot is to develop a pipeline of commercially viable inclusive businesses

through the delivery of technical assistance to businesses and to facilitate

access to impact investment funds via the ACRE investment syndicate. ACRE is

an opportunity to increase expertise in economic development in the agriculture,

energy, DRR and WASH sectors by adding investment facilitation to our market

development toolbox and to develop a niche as an organisation that facilitates

impact investment in specific businesses within wider market programmes.

In this reporting period, the project identified four enterprises, evaluated three

of them, conducted pre-investment appraisals of two and provided technical

assistance to one in order to develop a business plan. We now have quite

a different mix of investors. Some are high net worth individuals, some are

institutional investors and some are charities. They are based in India, UK,

Belgium, the Netherlands, Guatemala and the US. They all have different remits

and mandates and seek different outcomes from their impact investments. They

also use a variety of investment instruments: debt, equity, and mezzanine floor.

ObjectiveTo facilitate technical support and access to capital for small and growing enterprises with a clear socioeconomic impact on their communities and the markets in which they operate

Target GroupPrivate sectors working in four thematic areas: Agriculture, Energy, DRR and WASH

Implementing Period November 2014 onwards

Project Area Nepal and India

Implementing Partners Practical Action, Christian Aid, Traidcraft, Challenges Worldwide and Twin

Funded byInternal Practical Action Techncial support: Argidius Foundation via Christian Aid

ACRE

Project Benefitted7,530 Households

During this year of action, project pre-launch activities were

conducted, including contract signing with the partners and

the recruitment of project staffs. Newly recruited project

staffs and partners were trained. Meanwhile, district level

inception meetings were conducted in each of the working

districts. Similarly, a baseline study and a CSOs’ capacity

assessment and gap identification were also finalised.

Guidelines for a feasibility study of economic infrastructure

schemes has been drafted. Meanwhile, assessment

of barefoot agro vet and value chain actors has been

completed. The project is all set to work on activities and

results are expected to be visible throughout 2017.

Agriculture-based enterprises helping strengthen economy


Sher Singh Rawal (48) is a commercial goat farmer from Tikhatar-6 of

Doti District. He is a member of Shree Mohunayal Farmers’ Cooperative

in Tikhatar. He had been rearing goats since years using his own

knowledge based on traditional practices. For farmers, goats are

important asset because they can be sold whenever there is need for

an immediate return. However, their return is not guaranteed every

time. Often farmers like Rawal bear huge losses due to diseases and

he remembers one time when many of his goats died of PPR disease

(sigane rog).

Now, goats can be insured to avoid similar financial losses in future.

However, the idea of goat insurance was a very new proposition to

farmers like Rawal. Initially, he was skeptical about it and feared not

getting through all the processes of accessing insurance. Moreover,

he doubted insurance would compensate his losses should disease

or epidemic breaks out. However, with Practical Action’s support and

capacity building, Rawal was able to insure 18 goats that he had tamed.

He was also supported to receive a health certificate for his goats from

the District Livestock Service Office (DLSO). He has finally experienced

the benefits of the insurance scheme.

Rawal still tames goats, but now with better access to insurance and

knowledge on modern techniques of rearing goats, his business has

been transformed. He says, “This year I lost two goats. I claimed for the

compensation and I got it back with no hassle. I now don’t fear losses

and I can freely add more goats. I purchased 10 goats this year alone

without a second thought.”

Rawal's business is scaling up every month now and he need not

worry about huge losses. The insurance scheme has helped him build

confidence in commercialisation of goat farming. He feels secure and has

become an example to other goat farmers as well.

I now don’t fear losses and I can freely add more goats. I purchased 10 goats this year alone without a second thought.

INSUREDHAPPINESS


Irrigation plays an important role for better yields in

agriculture. Only about one third of the agricultural land in

Nepal is irrigated because most of the farmers cannot easily

access the right facilities. Barsha pump is developed to use

Nepal’s natural slope and water flowing in the perennial rivers

without fuel. Nepal, having a chronic shortage of fuel and

electricity, can benefit hugely from this pump since there are

more than 6,000 rivers flowing all year round in the country.

In Barsha pump, the pump is propelled by the flow of

streaming water using kinetic energy to pump part of the

streaming water to higher located fields without needing any

active mechanical parts to create the pumping action. The

pump is a simple-to-operate, low-cost solution that requires

virtually no maintenance as it contains only one moving part.

As a result, it does not involve any operating expenses nor

does it emit any polluting greenhouse gases.

Previously, farmers were left with three choices: carry water

to irrigate, use expensive diesel pumps or, in the worst

cases, leave productive lands barren. Through Barsha pumps,

we have been able to help farmers increase their agricultural

yields and reduce irrigation costs by 70 per cent.

Technology Brief

BARSHA PUMPPumping away irrigation trouble


People in Gulariya lift open defecation practice constructing toilets at their homes


This programme aims to improve the health of urban residents through increased awareness, providing access to safe drinking water, better sanitation facilities, waste services, proper solid waste management

and by practicing safe hygiene. The urban poor households and disadvantaged groups are the primary beneficiaries of this programme.

Urban Water, Sanitation and Waste

Total sanitation households

686

People with access to ODF environment

60379

Communities capacitated in participatory

planning

10

11246 Toilets constructed


SAFA & SWASTHA Gulariya (Open Defecation Free Gulariya

Municipality by 2015) project has been noteworthy for significantly

improving the lives of Gulariya dwellers with better access to

improved environmental sanitation. It has increased coverage

of sanitation facilities, enhanced capacity of local stakeholders,

piloted innovative solutions in sanitation, and promoted inclusive

planning and good governance. In line with the national target to

meet “universal access to sanitation by 2017” and the “Sanitation

and Hygiene Master Plan” of Nepal, Gulariya Municipality aimed to

achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status by 2015. To contribute to

the municipality target, SAFA & SWASTHA Gulariya used innovative

community mobilisation approaches such as the Community Led

Total Sanitation (CLTS) and School Led Total Sanitation (SLTS).

The intervention in 14 wards at Gulariya has made remarkable

achievements, as a result of which the entire Gulariya Municipality

has been declared ODF within the stipulated target time.

The ODF status in Gulariya has been achieved with the

construction of 11,246 toilets (Individual – 10,922, institutional

– 319, and public – 5). Overall 60,379 (including 29,300

female) people in Gulariya have gained access to an ODF

environment. As part of the intervention in participatory

planning, the project has enhanced the capacity of 10

ObjectiveTo enhance lives of residents in Gulariya Municipality by improving access to sanitation environment

Target GroupSlum dweller community members, particularly women, children and extremely marginalised residents in Gulariya Municipality

Implementing Period August 2014 to July 2016

Project Area Bardiya District

Implementing Partners Environment and Public Health Organisation (ENPHO)

Funded byUK aid through DFID

SAFA & SWASTHA Gulariya

Project Benefitted60,379 people

A happy beneficiary with newly built toilet in the background, Gulariya


The Delivering Decentralisation: Slum Dwellers' Access to

Decision Making for Pro Poor Infrastructure Services project

has been successfully implemented in Nepal, Bangladesh

and Sri Lanka by Practical Action. In Nepal, Practical Action

implemented the project in partnership with LUMANTI

– Support Group for Shelter in Bharatpur and Butwal

Municipalities.

Between 1954 and 2012, Nepal experienced a six fold increase

in urban population. Growing urbanisation has increased the

number of vulnerable urban poor and a lack of basic access

to infrastructure services. Despite the good urban governance

policy, many urban poor were not able to obtain support

from the state due to limited awareness and access to the

local planning process. With this background in mind, the

project promoted systems of decentralised urban governance

to empower the slum dwellers to engage them effectively in

decision making and delivery of improved urban services.

By building capacity and linking slum dwellers with local

authorities, the project not only improved the lives of slum

dwellers, but also enhanced the service delivery and urban

governance. These slum dwellers were able to formulate

participatory plans, address their priority needs, and ensure

that funding earmarked for service delivery was used properly.

During the project period, the project enhanced capacity of 43

Tole Lane Organisation (TLO) members on Local Level Planning

communities in participatory planning and they have

reviewed their Community Action Plans (CAPs). These

communities consist of 4,683 urban-poor/slum dwellers

including disadvantaged/marginalised groups. Out of various

needs/demands of the communities, a total of 31 schemes

were prioritised in these CAPs. Among them, six (five from

stakeholders and one from community) were addressed by the

local stakeholders and community people.

The project has built on the works of integrated approach in six

communities and helped achieve "Total Sanitation Community"

status. In the meantime, community people started adapting

indicators of total sanitation; use of toilet, personal hygiene,

safe drinking water, clean/safe food and clean

environment including house, surroundings,

schools and public spares. As a result, three

communities (Dipendranagar, Surajpur and

Kothiya) were

declared as total sanitation communities. The project, together

with Gulariya Municipality, has also established a Faecal Sludge

Treatment Plant (FSTP) in Gulariya to manage faecal sludge

properly through improved collection and treatment in a

decentralised plant. Similarly, the project has built the capacity

of a users’ committee and municipal staff

on effective FSM. Gulariya Municipality has

committed to take overall responsibility of

the operation and

management of the

plant.

(LLP) through various orientations and training on LLP

and leadership, with more than 60 per cent participation

of women. The project enhanced capacity of 81 municipal

officials through training on good governance and LLP. The

project also facilitated the development and revision of

Community Action Plan (CAP) in 43 TLOs and organising

ObjectiveTo build capacity of 12,652 slum dwellers, their organisations, and 2 Local Authorities (LAs) to plan, deliver and sustain community-led infrastructure services

Target GroupSlum dwellers and their organisations in Bharatpur and Butwal Municipalities

City-level forums and LAs

Implementing Period April 2012 to March 2016

Project Area Bharatpur and Butwal Municipalities

Implementing Partners LUMANTI – Support Group for Shelter


Delivering Decentralisation:

Project Benefitted12,652


CAP expos to meet their needs. The project leveraged NPR 6

million (£44,146) from the municipality to meet the demands

of poor TLOs in Bharatpur and NPR 6.6 million (£48,560) in

Butwal. Apart from the municipality, the TLOs also received

support from DDC Bharatpur which allocated NPR 0.2 million

(£1,472). The Member of Parliament (MP) from Bharatpur

also spared NPR 0.3 million (£ 2,207) from the MPs’ fund for

local level development.

The project improved access to safe drinking water through

the extension of the water supply distribution network/

pipeline for 535 residents, upgraded the decentralised

water supply system (boring, overhead water tank and

distribution network) benefitting 2,331 people and set

up hand pumps and platforms serving 589 residents.

To enhance sanitation levels, the project supported in

achieving ODF status in 3 wards of Butwal Municipality

through the construction of one community toilet and

239 household toilets benefiting 1,080 people. The level

of sanitation has significantly improved through the

renovation and construction of six community and 14

household toilets, reaching 1,596 people in Bharatpur

Municipality. Improved waste management has been

achieved through waste segregation in 400 households

and the installation of five compost bins reaching 3,553

people, along with construction of kitchen waste water

soak pits in 179 households in Bharatpur. Five TLOs in

Bharatpur were declared “total sanitation” communities.

In addition, the project also supported better access by

improving road pavements in four TLOs (Bharatpur – 1 and

Butwal – 3) benefitting 1,172 residents. The construction

of two culverts and one causeway benefited 837 residents

and the construction of storm water drains/covers in six

TLOs (Bharatpur - 2 and Butwal – 4) benefitted 936 people.

The project also supported the renovation and construction

of community buildings, (Bharatpur – 2 and Butwal – 3)

benefitting 2,450 residents. Low cost houses were also

constructed for ultra-poor residents, (Bharatpur – 10 and

Butwal – 13) benefiting 70 people.

A CAP guideline has been published in order to help

practitioners and LAs to learn and smoothly conduct CAP. The

knowledge generated on CAP processes and guidelines has

been shared in wider networks. Similarly, the approach has

also been replicated in Birgunj and Gulariya Municipalities.

Capacity building in peoples' participatory planing, Gulariya, Baridiya


Sapana Chaudhary (39) from Basagadi Municipality-4 of

Gulariya is the president of a local NGO, Sundar Sansar

(Beautiful World) working for the rights and recognition of

the third gender. Sapana shared with us the problems third

gender had to face in uneducated communities. She said,

‘When we go to the electricity office to pay the bills, there

are only two sections – one for men and another for women.

During speeches in workshops or mass meetings, speakers

always address men and women but nobody recognises the

third gender. There are countless such instances. We feel

abandoned and unrecognised.’

SAFA & SWASTHA Gulariya project has constructed a public

toilet with a separate compartment for third gender. Sapana

and her colleagues are very happy to have this space. The

toilet is near the bus stop in the central hub of Gulariya; and

the facility can easily catch eyes of many. This has helped

people to normalise gender inclusion at personal level. It

is also helping spread the word about recognition for third

gender in public spaces.

To sum up in Sapana’s own words, ‘This toilet construction is

a prestigious achievement. It is a small effort towards gender

and social inclusion but it can create awareness at large.’

This toilet construction is a prestigious achievement. It is a small effort towards gender and social inclusion but it can create awareness at large.

INCLUSIVE TOILETRECOGNITION TO

THIRD GENDER


Nepal is a hotspot for geophysical and climatic hazards.

Nepal’s Terai plains are mostly prone to floods during

monsoon season. After assessing the impact of floods on

sanitation, it was found that household toilets are often

fully or partially submerged. In most of the cases, the flood

water rises above the pan level restricting the use of toilets

completely. In some cases, wooden logs or mud slurry enter

into the pans blocking the pipes and bends.

To overcome such problems, Practical Action came up with

an innovative idea to create disaster resilient sanitation

facilities and provided technical support in the construction

of facilities like raised toilets. These toilets stand up to 24

inches above ground level (or above the usual flood level),

and one of the rings is water sealed above the ground level.

This solution has addressed the problem of flood water

entering pits through the junction of the concrete rings,

and from the bottom through infiltration. During floods,

sanitation levels reduce dramatically. But a simple innovation

has helped reduce disaster impact on sanitation in many

communities of Gulariya, Bardiya. This technology is now

being replicated elsewhere in other Terai areas prone to

flood hazard.

Technology Brief

FLOOD JEOPARDISES SANITATION?Not Anymore!


Practical Action beneficiary in Open Defecation Free Gulariya


Mock flood preparedness exercise underway in Bardiya


This programme focuses on early warning for flood and landslides and building resilience of the earthquake vulnerable communities. The programme aims to support local governments and national

stakeholders for strengthening resilience through mainstreaming DRR and adaptation to climate change into development planning.

Disaster Risk Reduction

People capacitated on EWS

6000

River basins we are currently working in

3 People benefiting from flood emergency

communication channel

83403


being piloted and its effects to forecast the flood event in

devastating flood of Narayani River in 2016 has been found

effective. Further, community participation and empowerment

through community based initiatives like community

shelter houses, knowledge camps, local level planning and

implementation and mock flood exercises have increased

community empowerment and institutional capacity. All local

disaster management committees have been registered in

local government and local agricultural groups are registered

in District Agriculture Development Office (DADO) to receive

support from government and other development agencies.

In this reporting period, project upgraded seven rainfall

stations with a real time telemetry communication system.

Meanwhile, 20 data observers from 20 rainfall stations have

been trained in meteorological observation and Early Warning

Systems (EWS). Similarly, 21 communities now have regular

access to seven day weather forecasts. Flood/rain display

boards have been installed at District Emergency Operation

Centres (DEOCs) and communication channels of three districts

in Koshi and three in Karnali have been updated. Furthermore,

construction of two culverts has been completed to ensure a

safe and robust evacuation route. Four community-managed

emergency shelters have been constructed and another two

are in progress. Altogether 126 (90 women and 36 men) EWS

taskforces members were trained to access flood information

to respond to flood. Similarly, to enhance cross border

flood risk management, a person-to-person communication

mechanism for flood information has been set up between

four communities of Nepal and Bahraich/Nanpara of India. A 20

member Cross Border Flood EWS Network is formed at South

Asia level to provide policy level inputs and inspire practice of

actors in India and across the region.

ObjectiveTo build resilience of flood vulnerable communities in Nepal, particularly in Karnali River Basin and provide technical support to NRCS in establishing flood EWS in Koshi River Basin

Target GroupFlood vulnerable people in Karnali and Koshi River Basin

Implementing Period July 2013 to June 2018

Project Area Saptari, Sunsari, Udayapur, Bhojpur and Khotang in Koshi River Basin

Implementing Partners Centre for Social Development and Research (CSDR) and Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS)

Funded byZurich Foundation

Nepal Flood Resilience Project (NFRP)

Project Benefitted52,527 Households in Karnali 20,710 Households in Koshi

NFRP is being implemented in Karnali and Koshi River Basin

since July 2013. In Koshi, the project is providing technical

assistance in setting up early warning systems to NRCS/

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent

Societies (IFRC). In Karnali, the project is supporting

communities and stakeholder agencies to improve their

disaster preparedness and response capacities through

structural and non-structural measures. The project aims to

strengthen the resilience of communities by supporting natural

resources, physical capital, social and institutional set-ups,

financial assets and human capacity.

In this reporting period, the project supported the Department

of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) to develop and pilot

a flood forecasting system in the country. The model is now

Gauge station in Karnali River Basin


board has been installed at DEOC, Jhapa which displays real

time information of rainfall over the catchment and flood

level at Mainachuli; helping the authorities make timely

decisions and actions, such as issuing alerts and warnings

and deploying rescue operations in the flood risk areas along

Kankai flood plain. The project has helped the authorities

develop a flood emergency communication channel in the

district which is currently being implemented. This new

set up, including the risk monitoring and communication

mechanism, is directly benefitting at least 10,179 people

(5,301 male and 4,878 female) in Jhapa and Ilam Districts.

A range of capacity building training on EWS, preparedness

and response has been provided to 2,844 women and

3,062 men. The project has also improved escape routes

through which 716 people are directly benefitting. As a part

of resilience building, 41 people (28 men and 13 women) are

supported for different income generation activities.

The project developed a risk communication channel which

is endorsed and implemented in the project areas. Total 778

task force (550 men and 228 women) members have been

trained to better understand, monitor and prepare effective

EWS and respond to flood disaster. For this, the task force

were provided with different capacity building training on

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) mainstreaming, EWS, DRR,

CADRE, first aid, search and rescue, among others. DRM

funds have been established in two communities across five

VDCs and two municipalities.

To upscale and widen the communication of flood risks,

Practical Action has worked with the country’s major

telecommunication service providers, Nepal Telecom (NTC) and

Ncell, to disseminate the information through SMS prior to

flood event. This system can save lives and properties during

heavy floods in Kankai of Jhapa and West Rapti of Banke.

Under this system, people within the mobile network of flood

prone river basin receive SMS prior to the flood event with

some free top-up amount in their phone for emergency.

The project is enhancing the response capacity of vulnerable

communities and government bodies by establishing and

strengthening institutional set up for DRR at different levels in

line with national policies and guidelines. It is also building

the capacity of community and government authorities through

training exercises and supporting local emergency infrastructures,

materials and equipment on risk-sensitive planning, integrating

and mainstreaming DRR into local development planning and

programmes and their implementation.

ObjectiveTo strengthen flood resilience of the communities and stakeholders in Kankai River Basin through Flood EWS and to strengthen capacity of government, non-government and community members in delivering and responding to flood early warning

Target GroupPoor and vulnerable communities living in Kankai River Basin

Implementing Period September 2014 to August 2017

Project Area Ilam and Jhapa Districts

Implementing Partners NRCS, Jhapa District Chapter

Funded byUSAID/OFDA

End to End Early Warning

Project Benefitted10,179 people

Practical Action is implementing the End to End Early

Warning - Strengthening Flood Resilience in Kankai River

Basin in Nepal project in Jhapa and Ilam Districts. The

project is introducing advanced technologies such as rainfall

forecasting, real time rainfall monitoring across the watershed

and their thresholds, models for rainfall-to-flood forecasting

and continuous flood risk monitoring at specified locations.

It will issue messages amongst vulnerable communities

with necessary response actions. The project builds on

the foundations of Practical Action’s past experiences with

conventional and gauge-to-gauge flood EWS, addressing

critical gaps, particularly the problem of short lead-time. It

addresses the need of flood forecasting based on rainfall

monitoring, particularly in case of flash floods in the rivers

like Kankai.

In the reporting period, the project helped DHM to establish

and upgrade rainfall stations and upgrade hydrology stations

for flood monitoring in the river catchments. A digital display


ObjectiveTo shift the way the government plans for, and delivers, sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction and resilience to climate change.

Target GroupNational, state and local government

Implementing Period October 2014 to September 2019

Project Area Nepal

Implementing Partners National Government Authority

Funded byUK aid through Oxford Policy Management Limited (OPML)

Climate Proofing Growth and Development (CPGD)

Practical Action has been implementing Nepal component of

CPGD South Asia programme since October 2014. The project

is being implemented in Bangladesh and India as well. The

programme assists governments and other stakeholders in

a flexible and responsive manner, to meet the objectives of

transforming their system of planning and delivery; building

the knowledge and capacity of political leaders, governments,

practitioners and investors; providing technical support to

help governments and communities design and deliver climate

resilience and low carbon measures; and leverage and shape

investments for climate compatible development.

In the reporting period, 6 working groups were formed; 5

Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) on: (a) Agriculture and

Food Security (AFS); (b) Forests and Biodiversity (FBD);

(c) Tourism, Natural and Cultural Heritage (TNCH); (d) Urban

Settlements and Infrastructure (USI); and (e) Water and

Energy; and one crosscutting Working Group (CWG) on

Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) under the coordination

of a joint secretary of the relevant ministries.

The project published and disseminated a report on

understanding demand and supply situation of climate

change knowledge management in Nepal. Nepal also

attended the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo

on advancing NAPs post-Paris organised by the Least

Developed Countries (LDC) Expert Group in collaboration

with the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat at Bonn, Germany

and presented on the NAP process and stakeholder’s

engagement. Meanwhile, a two day dialogue meeting

was successfully conducted in the presence of delegates

from Afghanistan, India, Nepal and Pakistan to discuss

ways of planning for future impacts of climate change

in the South Asian region. NAP and the International

Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

teams discussed and agreed to work closely on climate

trend and scenario analysis, and vulnerability and risk

assessments – an integral part of the NAP process. Data for

a national climate change impact survey has been collected

from 2,500 households. Two field monitoring visits were

conducted together with a Central Bureau of Statistics

(CBS) team to ensure quality data collection.

Local effort to battle drought in Nepal


ObjectiveTo support and facilitate HI-AWARE research and stakeholder engagement in Gandaki River Basin

Target GroupThe communities and stakeholders of Gandaki River Basin primarily including Nepal Government and related ministries

Implementing Period March 2015 to March 2018

Project Area Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Chitwan, Baglung, Kaski, Tanahun and Palpa along with entire Gandaki River Basin area in Nepal

Implementing Partners Environment and Public Health Organisation (ENPHO)

Funded byICIMOD (HI-AWARE project as a whole is funded by IDRC and UKaid)

HI-AWARE

Partnership with “Himalayan Adaptation, Water and

Resilience (HI-AWARE) Research on Glacier and Snowpack

Dependent River Basins for Improving Livelihoods is a

five year research initiative aiming at developing climate

change adaptation and increasing the resilience of the

poorest and most vulnerable people in mountains and

plains of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. The HI-

AWARE consortium is conducting integrated research across

the biophysical, socioeconomic, gender, and governance

drivers and conditions leading to vulnerability in order to

understand climate change impacts and to identify critical

moments for adaptation. It focuses on the Indus, Ganges,

and Brahmaputra River Basins, where the impacts of

climate change on livelihoods of the poor are uncertain but

likely to be severe. Adaptation policies and practices, based

on robust evidence, are urgently required in these basins

to increase resilience of the poorest and most vulnerable

people and to improve their livelihoods in a rapidly

changing climate.

Practical Action is working as strategic partner to ICIMOD

for the research and engagement in the Gandaki River

Basin across various districts of Nepal. In the reporting

period, Practical Action with ICIMOD completed six

consultations across the Gandaki River Basin to initiate

the Research into Use engagement in three districts and at

national level. The consultations represented stakeholder

engagement for the HI-AWARE research and more than 250

stakeholders at both local and national level were either

informed or engaged in HI-AWARE research. The project

conducted spring shed management research in Charghare

VDC, Nuwakot. The research identified 69 springs in the

VDC which benefits more than 800 households. Research

on urban water scarcity in Himalayan cities has also been

conducted in Tansen Municipality (8,411 households) of

Palpa District.


Tediya Community in Rajapur 10, Bardiya is a Tharu (an

ethnic minority group in Nepal) community. The community

houses 171 households with 1,022 people. Karnali River flows

about 200m away from the village. The entire community is

inundated during the flood season almost every year. Along

with the loss of lives, the community endures mental trauma

due to monsoon floods which leave sand deposits over a

large area damaging crops and the land. With poor economic

background and lack of timely disaster preparedness, flood

had worst impact in the community.

To address this agrarian community’s resilience to floods,

the community formed a group. Initially, 31 community

members came together and made a group called Uthansil

Krishi Samuha (Progressive Agricultural Group) with the

objective to receive agricultural subsidies from Agriculture

Development Office in Bardiya in August 2014. The executive

committee consists of three women and four men. They also

established a fund into which community members saved

NPR 20 (£0.15p) per month which has now increased to NPR

50 (£0.38p). Immediately after the formation of the group,

they were trained by Practical Action on community based

disaster preparedness and early warning programmes, and

the members attended workshops on agriculture. Community

members learnt about nursery bed preparation, diseases and

pest control, homemade insecticides and their use including

homemade fertilisers.

TOGETHER TOWARDS

PREPAREDNESS


Within eight months, we were able to deposit NPR 53,000 (£400) in the fund and we are expecting more after this season’s harvest.

They were also supported with seeds with which they

cultivated vegetables in two kathhas (1 Kattha = 3,645 sq.ft)

of land and were able to make NPR 24,000 (£182) after the

harvest. They have now taken 10 kattha of land on a lease,

paying NPR 35,000 (£264) per year. The agriculture service

centre provided them with seeds and fertilisers worth NPR

20,000 (£151) for vegetable farming in the leased land.

They started harvesting tomatoes and chillies and made

NPR 24,000 (£181). They now sell their produces in nearby

Rajapur market. The group is planning on using the money

for immediate community relief and response activities

during floods.

Rajesh Kumar Chaudhary, secretary of the group says,

“Within eight months, we were able to deposit NPR 53,000

(£400) in the fund and we are expecting more after this

season’s harvest. Rather than borrowing money from others,

people prefer to take money from the fund. The interest

rate is only one per cent, which is negligible. We have also

invested within the group itself. They usually take money for

fulfilling household needs. Some members have built attics

in their homes to keep their belongings and food grains

safe during floods. This programme and group has united us

and taught us to work collectively.”

Tediya community is now moving towards resilience through

financial freedom.

38 ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16Technology Brief

REAL TIME TECHNOLOGIESSaving lives from flood

Practical Action has established and promoted community

centred flood early warning systems in Nepal by using real

time technologies to monitor and communicate the risk

of weather induced disasters – floods in particular. The

rainfall including flood risk monitoring and communication

system, which is largely run by the DHM adopts advance

technologies. Rainfall forecasts are shared through weather

boards in the communities and real time rainfall and flood

data is transmitted to the digital display boards placed at

strategic locations, such as concerned DEOCs. When rainfall

exceeds a threshold level, or the flood exceeds a normal

level a ‘warning’ level is set and a mass SMS is sent to each

mobile phone user of NTC and Ncell networks living in the

downstream areas of affected river basins.

For example, in Kankai River Basin, six automated meteorology

devices measure rainfall and communicate updates every

hour; one hydrology station is equipped with radar sensors

and measures flood levels at an outlet in the foothills and

communicates the situation in real time. The updated status of

rainfall and floods are displayed in the display boards at DEOC,

and are also available online at real time so that authorities

can take measures if the rainfall or floods exceed the upper

threshold for warning and evacuation. In the meantime, experts

in the DHM’s flood forecasting section evaluate the situation

and send SMS to at least 15 downstream communities in Jhapa

and to the relevant authorities.

Practical Action supported the DHM with rainfall-to-flood

forecasting technologies to improve the efficiency of the

system and aid with appropriate technology. Making the

use of Global Flood Awareness System (GLoFAS) and the

Probabilistic Flood Forecasting Model, Practical Action

supported the DHM to forecast floods for Narayani Basin,

and use mass SMS through NTC and Ncell networks to

transmit information to vulnerable communities in the

Narayani, West Rapti and Kankai River Basins. All these real

time technologies have strengthened immediate warning

communications and are contributing to save lives and

properties in the flood prone zones.


Research team at Tsho Rolpa, Nepal


Beneficiaries using Practical Answers mobile application


Practical Answers

Enquiries from climate change sector

1166 Enquiries from

DRR sector

1880

Enquiries from livestock sector

16211

Enquiries from agriculture sector

45714

Enquiries from other sectors

488

65459Total enquiries

received

Practical Answers is a demand driven knowledge sharing

service of Practical Action which facilitates knowledge sharing

with, and among, marginal and disadvantaged communities

with the aim of improving their livelihoods. Its partnering

and facilitation with government and non-government

organisations’ knowledge extension works maximise

effectiveness and sustain rural livelihoods.

Practical Answers is a free service that primarily focuses on

preparation, production and dissemination of knowledge

based on demand and need of the communities. Practical

Action has been working in 22 districts by establishing

knowledge centres. It is implementing the service in

partnership with Rural Education and Action Development

(READ) in 15 districts through 22 Community Library and

Resource Centres (CLRCs). Moreover, Practical Answer service is

embedded in Practical Action's projects to support Agriculture

extension service in the project areas. During this reporting

period, Practical Answers received over 65,000 enquiries, of

which 98 per cent were answered. Further, 11,781 members

of 493 farmer groups formed under respective CLRCs have

directly benefited from Practical Answer’s knowledge services.

Practical Answers has successfully piloted sustainable business

models in different CLRCs.

The service has continued to provide the knowledge and

answers to the enquiries through the use of flex prints, leaflets,

videos, booklets, manuals and radio programmes. The service

also uses different interaction programmes with experts

and practical sessions are also conducted for knowledge

dissemination and for reaching out directly to people.


Hem Raj Mahato (29), lives with his family of nine in Deurali VDC, Nawalparasi. He works very hard every day to provide a better life for his family. He owns three bighas (1 Bigha = 6772.41 sq m) of land and grows seasonal crops like paddy, maize and wheat. However, he had made little use of his land for vegetable farming.

When he discovered the Practical Answers service conducted by CLRC in Deurali through social mobilisers, he learned more about farming patterns. Practical Answers served as a magical tool for transforming his living standards. Mahato started participating in every interaction programmes on vegetable farming to answer his questions and concerns and kept learning more. He also took part in a three day training programme on off-season vegetable farming. Following the training, Hem began off-season vegetable farming in 15 kattha (1 Kattha = 3645 sq.ft) of his land. He grew black-eyed peas, calabashes, bitter gourds, cucumbers and tomatoes.

Through the guidance and lobbying by CLRC in Deurali, Mahato also received NPR 60,000 (£453) as grant from the Nepal Government’s fund for youth self-employment last year. This support kept him going and motivated to take part in different training sessions for vegetable farming. At present, he is earning NPR 135,000 (£1,019) from off-season vegetable farming every month.

Mahato says, “Today, I am able to make a better living. I am able to educate my son and daughter in good schools. This is all because of the income I have generated through vegetable farming. These days, I am literally living my dream of providing a better life for my family.”

Mahato is planning to concentrate further on off-season vegetable farming. He has also been educating his circle of friends, relatives and neighbours, including fellow villagers so that they can also benefit and improve their living standards.

Today, I am able to make a better living. I am able to educate my son and daughter in good schools. This is all because of the income I have generated through vegetable farming. These days, I am literally living my dream of providing a better life for my family.

ANSWERSTO POVERTY


Women working in farm, Nuwakot

Financial StatementFor the period from April 2015 to March 2016

SOURCES OF INCOME

Restricted Unrestricted Total 2016 Total 2015

£ £ £ £

Government Grants 1,375,792 - 1,375,792 1,349,246

NGO Grants 452,667 - 452,667 9,513

Other Grants 530,784 1,272 532,056 225,475

Donations 463,409 - 463,409 56,078

Other Income (Overhead) - 264,219 264,219 206

Sales of Materials - - - 39

Interest Income - 156 156 658

Income from HO - 3,775 3,775 709,654

Total 2,822,652 269,422 3,092,074 2,350,869

EXPENDITURE

Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change 1,020,126 - 1,020,126 473,429

Energy 291,584 33,607 325,191 186,223

Food and Agriculture 855,595 26,614 882,210 710,338

Knowledge and Communications 139,148 97,379 236,527 168,055

Urban Wash 237,192 - 237,192 240,392

Directorate and Management 160,739 229,628 390,368 478,053

Total 2,704,385 387,229 3,091,614 2,256,490

Fund Balance 118,267 (117,806) 461 94,379

Notes: A consolidated financial statement is signed at organisational level in the UK, the figures provided are part of group report which is related only to Nepal Office.

Settlement of Laprak, Gorkha

Head OfficeThe Schumacher Centre Bourton on Dunsmore Rugby, CV23 9QZ, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1926 634400 Fax: +44 (0) 1926 634401 Email: [email protected]

Bangladesh House 28/A, Road 5 Dhanmondi R/A Dhaka- 1205, Bangladesh Tel: +880 (0) 2-8650439 / 9675236 / 9675243 Fax: 8802 9674340 Email: [email protected]

Eastern Africa Regional Office Methodist Ministries Centre Block C (First Floor) Oloitoktok Road, off Gitanga Road P.O. Box 39493 – 00623 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 (0) 20 2713540 / 2715299 / 2719313 / 2719413 Fax: +254 (0) 20 2710083 Email: [email protected]

Peru Av Jorge Chaivez 275- Miraflores Apartado Postal 18-0620, Lima 18, Peru Tel: +511 (447) 5127 / 444-7055 / 446-7324 Fax : +511 (446) 6621 Email: [email protected]

Southern Africa Regional Office Number 4 Ludlow Road (off Enterprise Road) Newlands Harare, Zimbabwe Tel: +263 (4) 776631-3 / 776107 / 2936857-60 Fax: +263 (4) 788157 Email: [email protected]

Sudan Building 46, street 55, Al Jazera Street Khartoum 2, North of Badr Park P.O. Box 4127, Khartoum 1114 Khartoum Central, Sudan Tel: +249 (183) 460419 / 578821 / 578827 Fax: +249 (183) 472002 Email: [email protected]

Sri Lanka 5, Lionel Edirisinghe Mawatha Kirulapone, Colombo 05 Sri Lanka Tel: +94 (11) 2829 412 / 413 / 414 Fax: +94 (11) 2856 188 Email: [email protected]

South Asia Regional OfficeHouse No. 1114Pani Pokhari, LazimpatPO Box 15135, Kathmandu, NepalT: + 977-1-4423 639, 4423 640, 4413 452E: [email protected]: www.practicalaction.org/nepal

annual report 2015/2016 - practical...

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