KATHMANDU, Aug 15: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlighted the significant achievements of its European Union Support to Inclusive Federalism (EUSIF) project during a special event in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The event, which brought together representatives from all three tiers of government, donors, and development partners, focused on the project's contributions to advancing federalism and governance in Karnali Province from January 2022 to August 2024.

In his opening remarks, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Julien Chevillard emphasized the importance of sharing innovations for inclusive service delivery as preparations begin for a new phase of the Provincial and Local Governance Support Programme (PLGSP). The PLGSP was launched in 2019 with the objective to strengthen Nepal’s federalization process.

Jose-Luis Vinuesa, Head of Cooperation at the European Union in Nepal, expressed hope that the lessons learned from the EUSIF project in Karnali could be applied in other provinces to make federalism more inclusive and service-oriented.

Ananda Saru, Secretary at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers in Karnali Province, praised the project for its positive outcomes, particularly in supporting the development and institutionalization of One-Stop Service Delivery (OSSD) centers, the Project Management Information System (PIMS), and the Policy Lab at Mid-Western University. "These initiatives have been highly beneficial to both local and provincial governments," he noted.

The event featured a gallery walk showcasing EUSIF’s achievements through creative displays, including audio-visuals, providing participants with a clear understanding of the project's impact in Karnali Province over the past two years.

Throughout its implementation, EUSIF worked closely with the Karnali Province government, including the Karnali Province Training Academy (KPTA) and select local governments. Notably, the project established OSSD centers in Chaurjahari, Dullu, and Panchapuri municipalities, which have provided fast, accessible, and hassle-free services to over 3,000 residents within just four months of operation. These centers are supported by office automation systems and grievance handling mechanisms, ensuring efficient service delivery.

EUSIF also trained over 400 local government officials and members of community-based organizations on inclusive annual planning and budgeting processes, engaging more than 2,500 community members—47% of whom were women—in simulation exercises to promote broader community involvement in governance.

A key achievement of the project was the development of the GIS-based PIMS for the provincial government, which provides comprehensive datasets on development projects undertaken by both provincial and local governments, as well as international development partners in Karnali Province.

In collaboration with KPTA, EUSIF contributed to the creation of several key institutional frameworks, including a five-year strategy, a gender equality and social inclusion strategy, and a policy on the prevention of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse.

The project also focused on empowering marginalized communities, specifically the Badi community in Karnali Province. By engaging community members in a comprehensive socio-economic study and community profiling, EUSIF provided essential evidence that enabled the provincial government to allocate resources more effectively for their welfare.

 
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