Projects

COMPLETED PROJECTS

• Improving Service Delivery Through Community Centers

Period:	2002 - 2005
Overview:	Almost 90% of Nepalese people are village dwellers. They are often unaware of the existing various development related services; they hesitate to address or even avoid approaching services delivery authorities and agencies. In an effort to reverse this situation and also because guaranteeing the equitable and universal provision of basic services is essential to improve governance, SAHARA Group undertook the task of implementing a Rural Service Delivery Model. The program started as an experimental project to be carried out on VDCs in Syangja district, Nepal. Major consultations and collaboration were made with district authorities. Support and training to the Community Centers was implemented for a period of three years. This quite long period gives to those community centers time to find other supports to be then financially independent. The centers coordinate with governmental and non-governmental agencies for the provision of services at the local level such as health, citizenship certificate, land registration, passport, agricultural and banking services.
Objectives:	Activate district level coordination and network to minimize the gap between service providers and service beneficiaries Enhance the capacity of partner mediator organization for effective facilitation of CEC(tell for what for those letters stand) Bring about perceivable changes by CECs, extend and develop CEC program in the district Contribute to the elimination of poverty and conflict, resulting from inconsistent service delivery
Activities:	Staff recruitment and training Community center establishment and operation Establishment of a Citizen Charter Creation of information centers Institutional capacity enhancement program
Achievements:	Service delivery facilitation is now successfully done through the Community Center (CC) as it is now adequately equipped with manpower, knowledge and logistics CC staff has been trained and orientated and is now capable of requesting services from various service delivery agencies Local communities are now aware of the existence of service availability and are now starting to use and request those services Apart from being financially independent and successfully coordinating with governmental and non-governmental agencies for the provision of services at the local level, Community Centers are now also able to conduct awareness programs and educational classes regarding governance, women empowerment and social participation.
Funded by:	DFID/Enabling State Programme (ESP)
Location:	16 VCDs of Syangja District