Grant Size: (US $ 1.5 million)
Duration:
Introduction
DGM Nepal Project Component 1 aims at building the capacity of IPs & LCs to fully participate in Nepal’s and global REDD+ and forest policy processes and dialogues; while at the same time improving their skills and management capacities for SFM (including value addition) and to follow established procedures for securing forest use and management rights as part of customary governance and traditional and cultural practices. IPs & LCs capacity will be developed to participate in the implementation of the agreed policies and measures related to Nepal’s REDD+ process.
In the context of the ongoing federalization process and the resulting change in the decision-making process on natural resources, including forests, the DGM Nepal Project will support the involvement of IPs & LCs in the respective local government (Palikas), project districts, and also in ongoing policy dialogue and decision-making processes related to REDD+ and forests at all 3 levels of government.
Objectives
Sub-component 1.1: Providing technical assistance for capacity building of IPLCs
The sub-component 1.1 will provide technical assistance for the capacity building of IPs & LCs through organizing knowledge-sharing activities led by IPLCs’ representatives and/or experts on topics such as REDD+ and SFM, SFM planning, improving the productivity of forests under community-based forest management, improving the quality of timber and non-timber forest product (NTFP), adding value to timber and NTFP, successfully accessing markets and financial services, conducting inventories on NTFP, addressing gender-inequalities and providing forest-relevant alternative livelihood opportunities to reduce pressure on forests.
Under this sub-component, the project would also offer scholarships to individuals from vulnerable and marginalized IPs & LCs, including women for technical and vocational training colleges to enhance their technical skills to be employed in the forest sector or run their businesses. Training opportunities will be supported mainly within Nepal but if needed, training opportunities outside Nepal can be provided /organized if justified.
The following are major activities planned under subcomponent 1.1:
- Organize mapping/identify eligible members/groups/ clusters including community forest user groups of IPs & LCs both in Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces and prepare a database of IPs & LCs as project beneficiaries.
- Conduct a Capacity Need Assessment (CNA) to identify the knowledge gaps of IPs & LCs e.g. on Nepal’s and global REDD+ processes, existing gaps, level of participation in policy dialogue, decision-making processes related to REDD+ and forests; on SFM, forest-relevant value chain addition, and on business establishment and management. Based on the CNA, a capacity-building plan will be developed which will be the basis for all related events.
- Mapping of customarily managed forest area (inside and outside CBFM), SFM (i.e. Mapping and Inventory, plan preparation, Silviculture management, sustainable production, and utilization) and review the gaps and challenges to apply the established procedures for securing use and management rights in line with customary governance systems of IPs & LCs.
- Mapping of potential SMEs, traditional livelihoods, NTFP-based enterprises, and Eco-tourism from sustainable forest-based activities. Mapping of potential and existing IPs & LCs platforms at the local and provincial levels.
- Mapping of potential financial service providers, local cooperatives, potential NTFP and forest-based enterprises market, programs of the local and provincial government for increasing access of IPs & LCs to markets and financial services.
- Based on the mapping and need assessment, develop a training manual. Provide capacity-building training to IPs & LCs on technical topics such as SFM, SFM planning, improving the productivity of forests under CBFM, improving the quality of timber and NTFP, adding value to timber and NTFP, successfully accessing markets and financial services, conducting inventories on NTFP and building associations.
- Organize training, workshops, and capacity-building activities to improve IPs & LCs' capacity to gain in-depth knowledge on REDD+ and SFM, Climate Change, and GHGs, as well as to recognize and streamline IPs’ traditional livelihoods and customary governance and practices in sustainable management of forest.
- Organize knowledge-sharing/exchange visits within and between provinces to share success stories, and network buildings and enhance collective action on SFM and REDD+.
- Organize study /identify appropriate technical and vocational training schemes as a requirement for youths of IPs & LCs.
- Provide scholarships to individuals from vulnerable and marginalized IPs & LCs, including women for technical and vocational training colleges to enhance their technical skills to be employed in the forest sector or run their businesses/microenterprises.
- Organize and support market promotion activities for forest goods (wood and non-wood).
- Conduct a study on and identify appropriate technologies and skills required for IPs & LCs for the promotion of forest-based small and micro-enterprises.
The beneficiaries of subcomponent 1.1 will be members of IPs & LCs, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) or members from CBOs, cooperatives, and the members from cooperatives or individuals. The project will organize the mapping /study of IPs & LCs and prepare a database with potential project beneficiaries. The database will be prepared in consultation with respective Palikas and local IPs & LCs.
Sub-component 1.2: Technical assistance for capacity building of IPLCs through organizing training activities, focusing on skill development, and providing a better understanding of government and global processes and policies related to REDD+ and forests.
This sub-component will provide technical assistance for capacity building and training activities focusing on skill development and a better understanding of government and global processes and policies related to REDD+ and forests. NEA, in consultation with the NSC, will invite representatives from local governments, the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment (MoITFE) in Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces, MoFE and other ministries as well as academic institutions, Think Tanks, and law firms, etc. to share the information e.g. on the institutional and legal framework for Nepal’s forest sector, existing stakeholder engagement fora and build capacity e.g. on how to engage in meaningful dialogues on forest governance with the federal 3-tier government and on REDD+/SFM process at the global level.
More specifically, the following key activities will be carried out under subcomponent 1.2.
- Study /organize workshops/ mapping to identify the needs of capacity buildings, training, skills development, and exposures on the part of local government, officials from MoFE, Ministry of Industry and Tourism, and other related.
- Mapping of the institutional and legal framework for Nepal’s forest sector within federal, provincial, and local governments, stakeholder engagement at local, provincial, national, and global levels on REDD+ policy process and dialogues.
- Based on the mapping organize a provincial and national level workshop with local government, provincial ministries, and other stakeholders, to share information on the institutional and legal framework for Nepal’s forest sector, existing stakeholder engagement, and how to engage in meaningful dialogues on forest governance with the 3-tier government and REDD+/SFM process at the global level.
More about this grant (Knowledge Base)
SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS
DGM Nepal Project Component 1 aims at building the capacity of IPs & LCs to fully participate in Nepal’s and global REDD+ and forest policy processes and dialogues; while at the same time improving their skills and management capacities for SFM (including value addition) and to follow established procedures for securing forest use and management rights as part of customary governance and traditional and cultural practices. IPs & LCs capacity will be developed to participate in the implementation of the agreed policies and measures related to Nepal’s REDD+ process.
In the context of the ongoing federalization process and the resulting change in the decision-making process on natural resources, including forests, the DGM Nepal Project will support the involvement of IPs & LCs in the respective local government (Palikas), project districts, and also in ongoing policy dialogue and decision-making processes related to REDD+ and forests at all 3 levels of government.
SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS
Grant Size: ( US$ 400,000 )
Training Programs
मधेश र लुम्बिनी प्रदेशका अनुदान प्राप्त संघ/ संस्था र व्यक्तिहरूका लागि व्यावसायिक योजना तयारी र उद्यमशीलता विकासका लागि आगामी प्रशिक्षण तथा प्राविधिक सहयोग सीआईएफ/विस्वा बैंकको सहयोगमा नेपालका आदिवासी जनजाति तथा
डिसेम्बर 6, 2023 मा, ग्रामीण पुनर्निर्माण नेपाल (RRN) र संरक्षण इन्टरनेशनलले सामुदायिक वन उपभोक्ता महासंघ (फेकोफन) र नेपाल आदिवासी जनजाति महासंघ (नेफिन) सँगको सहकार्यमा नेपाल प्याभिलियनमा एक साइड इभेन्टको आयोजना
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
The scholarship grants aim to provide opportunities for individuals from vulnerable and marginalized Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Local Communities (LCs), including women, to enhance their technical skills through technical and vocational training. This prepares them for employment in forest-relevant sectors or enables them to start their own businesses/microenterprises.
Scholarship grants are mainly targeted at indigenous peoples and local communities (IPs and LCs), especially youth and women from vulnerable and marginalized backgrounds. Individuals should be primarily from Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces, opportunities are also open to IPLC individuals from other provinces. In addition, successful beneficiaries must obtain a letter of recommendation from the local government or relevant IP and LC group or organization.
A total budget of 400,000 US dollars has been allocated for scholarship grants throughout the duration of the DGM Nepal project. Each beneficiary can receive up to USD 7000 as a scholarship grant. However, if the cost of the chosen course or training exceeds this amount, the beneficiary will be responsible for covering the additional costs.
The selection process involves several steps:
- Call for Scholarship Applications
- Scholarship Application Submission
- Shortlisting of applicants by NEA
- NSC Approval of Scholarship Shortlist
- Contract Signing and Fund Transfer
Each step is detailed in the provided GOM, PAD and project documents, ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection process.
Funds are transferred directly to the beneficiary's bank account as specified in the contract. Training fees are disbursed directly to the service provider based on installment, while other reimbursable expenses such as accommodation, travel, and stationery are paid to the scholarship recipients on an installment basis as per the agreement.
