Executive Summary
In alignment with the Grant Operational Manual and project activities under each project component of the DGM Nepal project, the first Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) was launched on 20 November 2023, with a submission deadline of 20 December 2023. This call received an enthusiastic response, with 280 applications submitted from Madhesh and Lumbini provinces. Following a thorough pre-selection process conducted by the National Steering Committee (NSC) and the National Executing Agency (NEA), 108 EOIs were shortlisted (Madhesh: 58; Lumbini: 50). Subsequently, a business proposal development training was delivered to the shortlisted applicants, which resulted in the submission of 92 full proposals, out of which 50 applicants were awarded grants.
To further enhance the capacity of the grantees and ensure the long-term impact of their initiatives, a structured Training and Technical Support for Business Plan Preparation and Entrepreneurship Development was designed. This training aimed to empower grantees to establish sustainable, forest-based business ventures while understanding the critical role of the Dedicated Grant Mechanism (DGM) project in promoting sustainable forest management and engaging Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs).
Objectives
The primary aim of the training is to provide grantees from Madhesh and Lumbini provinces with the skills and support needed for effective business plan preparation and entrepreneurship development. The specific objectives are:
- Capacity Building: Equip grantees with the tools and knowledge required to craft detailed, realistic, and impactful business plans.
- Entrepreneurship Development: Encourage an entrepreneurial mindset by offering mentorship, tools, and techniques to help grantees initiate and sustain their enterprises.
- Sustainability: Embed principles of sustainability and resilience in business operations to ensure long-term success.
- Market Linkages: Strengthen grantees’ connections to potential markets, investors, and other critical stakeholders to promote scalability and profitability.
Key Highlights:
- Covered essential topics like business planning, branding, value-chain integration, financial management, and sustainability.
- Focused sessions on Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), environmental and environmental safeguards, and stakeholder engagement.
- Conducted interactive group exercises, role-plays, and case study analysis.
- Participants expressed increased confidence in their ability to create sustainable business plans.
- Feedback indicated high relevance of content and practical applicability.
Participation:
- Two batches of 25 participants each, from Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces.
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- Participants beyond social disaggregation represented diverse profiles, including aspiring entrepreneurs, female youths, farmers, and local community leaders.
- Outcomes and Recommendations
Based on the comprehensive assessment of the various sessions conducted during the “Training and Technical Support for Business Plan Preparation and Entrepreneurship Development” for Grantees from Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces, the following key recommendations are put forward. These recommendations are designed to improve the future training sessions, ensuring they are more impactful and aligned with the needs of the participants, while also providing stakeholders, including donors like the World Bank, with actionable insights.
For Business Management and Implementation:
Baseline Survey: Timing and Tailored Curriculum
- Recommendation:
Conduct baseline surveys at least 10 days before the training.The baseline survey plays a pivotal role in tailoring the curriculum to address the specific needs of participants. By gathering this information ahead of time, trainers can modify content to reflect the participants’ actual business challenges and opportunities. This would also allow for a more personalized approach during the sessions, ensuring that each participant gains maximum value. The improved alignment between the training content and participant needs will significantly enhance learning outcomes.
Guest Lectures: Industry Engagement
- Recommendation:
Include guest lectures from industry experts, particularly from the agribusiness and agro-forestry sectors. Inviting guest speakers who have practical experience in relevant sectors will provide participants with real-world insights, deepening their understanding of the market dynamics, industry trends, and best practices. Guest lectures will also help to broaden the participants’ networks, creating opportunities for collaboration and business growth. Given the focus on entrepreneurship, this exposure will be an invaluable addition to the theoretical training.
Training Certificate: Enhance Recognition
- Recommendation:
Make the training certificate more powerful by collaborating with banks, insurance, and financial institutions. Certifying the completion of the training alongside the recognition from financial institutions will greatly motivate participants. Such collaboration can offer tangible benefits, such as access to financing, credit, or insurance, directly linking the value of the training to real-world opportunities. This enhancement will also elevate the credibility of the training program and encourage greater participation in future sessions.
Field School: Practical Exposure
- Recommendation:
Organize field schools for practical exposure to real-world business environments. Practical exposure is crucial for reinforcing the theoretical aspects of the training. Field schools, where participants can visit manufacturing hubs or service centers, will provide hands-on experience in seeing how businesses operate on the ground. This will not only enhance their understanding of business operations but also allow them to engage with practitioners in the field, fostering a deeper connection to the skills they are developing.
For overall Training Program on Business Plan Preparation and Entrepreneurship:
- Training Content and Topics:
The training content received an overwhelmingly positive response, with 88% of participants reporting high satisfaction. This indicates that the material was relevant and applicable to their sub-projects, supporting principles of adult learning theory, which emphasizes practical, goal-oriented learning. However, 40% of participants expressed only moderate satisfaction with the topics discussed, suggesting a need for more targeted content tailored to specific project types. An increase in region-specific case studies and best practices should be incorporated, focusing on forest-based and indigenous community enterprises. This would provide deeper contextual insights, boosting participant engagement and applicability.
- Methods and Trainers:
While 64% of participants were satisfied with the training methods, areas such as trainer preparation (44% satisfaction) and style of presentation (52% satisfaction) revealed a gap in delivery quality. A 36% increase in the use of peer-to-peer learning methods (e.g., small group discussions, mentor-led Q&A) should be included to foster greater engagement. Additionally, incorporating more hands-on exercises or business simulation games could better equip participants to apply what they learned directly to their entrepreneurial ventures.
- Assessment and Feedback Mechanisms:
The feedback mechanism used to evaluate participant learning at the end of each training batch has proven effective. However, to ensure continuous improvement, a pre-training assessment should be conducted to measure baseline knowledge. Post-training assessments (e.g., surveys, follow-up interviews) can be expanded to include more detailed feedback on the specific effectiveness of individual sessions, particularly on the technical and financial planning components. This will allow for data-driven insights and targeted content adjustments. An increase in detailed feedback and assessments post-training is recommended to assess long-term impact.
- Training Delivery and Facilitator Skills:
The facilitators performed admirably in conveying complex topics. However, future training sessions would benefit from integrating more specialized trainers, particularly in advanced financial planning, marketing strategies, and digital tools for business growth. Increasing the number of subject-matter experts by 10% for these advanced topics would ensure a more comprehensive skill-building experience.
- Participant Engagement and Materials:
Participant engagement activities and training materials were appreciated by 60% and 72% of respondents, respectively, demonstrating the value of well-structured materials and collaborative learning approaches. Furthermore, 80% of participants confirmed that the skills and knowledge gained would be useful for their sub-projects, aligning with the Kirkpatrick Model, which underscores the importance of translating learning into practical outcomes.
- Follow-Up Support and Long-Term Engagement:
One key observation was the lack of structured follow-up post-training. It is highly recommended to implement a 6-month follow-up support program, with quarterly check-ins (via online or in-person meetings) to monitor the application of the skills learned during the training. A mentoring program or networking platform could also facilitate the continued development of the grantees. This would likely improve the rate of business plan implementation and market integration, with a target of at least 60% of participants applying their learning within 6 months of the training.
- Improved Accessibility:
To ensure greater inclusivity, especially for female and marginalized grantees. Providing additional training sessions with flexible schedules and greater emphasis on gender-responsive business planning by incorporating a 25% increase in female participation and ensuring that training materials are translated into local languages would enhance accessibility is highly recommended.
- Logistical Management:
Accommodation arrangements were rated as good by 80% of participants, while food quality (68%) and support services (72%) were also well-received. However, some participants highlighted the need for improved cleanliness and limiting room occupancy, reflecting the importance of creating a comfortable and distraction-free environment, as supported by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, where physical and safety conditions are foundational for effective learning.
By addressing these areas, future training programs can ensure a higher level of participant satisfaction, improve learning outcomes, and provide a more impactful and inclusive learning experience. A detailed evaluation report with participant feedback and specific data is provided in the annex.
