Workshop with Ward and Municipal Representatives on Making Local Government Level Development Plans and Budget Climate and Gender Smart
The Constitution of Nepal has devolved crucial authorities from Central to the Local Governments (LGs) mandating the Rural/Municipalities to formulate and implement laws, policies and plans on their own. In June/July LGs prepare their annual plans and budgets for fiscal year 2076/77 and hold community consultations to collect public inputs. In this context, it was crucial to discuss how the LG plans and budget can be made climate and gender smart.
Prakriti Resources Centre (PRC), therefore, organized a two-day workshop on 3 & 4 June 2019 with the support of Both ENDs engaging 18 elected officials representing five municipalities in Province 3 covered by the BE-supported project.
In the workshop, participants were familiarized with the concept of climate change, its impact in Nepal; national and international initiatives in the areas of climate change; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and environmental issues on Local Government Operation Act 2074. Discussions were held on the importance of considering gender and environment issues in municipal plans and budget. Participants were familiarized with SDGs focusing on Goals 5, 6, 7, 13 and 15 and made aware of the benefits of designing municipality level plan and budget in such a manner as to contribute to meeting the SDGs. Participants also reflected on the impacts of climate change they are facing in their communities. The elected officials were also engaged in discussions on climate change, its impact in Nepal and national and international initiatives to address impacts of climate change.
The second day of the workshop centered on localization of climate actions and SDGs, and national level climate actions and other initiatives to implement SDGs. The workshop concluded with a panel discussion. Bhuwan Giri, Head of Social Development Section, Nagarjun Municipality briefly shared on the activities carried out by the municipality to address the environmental issues and effects of climate change in municipality. The municipality has set up a ‘Disaster Relief Fund’ and a ‘Women’s Coordination Committee’ and is also supporting community for drip irrigation, rain water harvesting and construction of ponds for rain water collections. Another panelist Kamala Basnet, Deputy Mayor of Bhimeshwor Municipality spoke about her plan to coordinate with different organizations that are working in environment and climate change in the municipality for effective implementation and sustainability of the programmes. Her municipality is focusing on solid waste management, conservation of water resources, controlling soil erosion and promoting organic farming to ensure environmental sustainability. Maya Kumari Karki, Deputy Mayor of Manthali Municipality shared the environmental problems and disasters municipality is facing and efforts of the municipality to address such problems. Bindu Pudasaini, Deputy Mayor of Kageshwori Monahara Municipality talked on the problems such as solid waste management, degradation of natural resources, deforestation, and land plotting that the municipality is facing. She also talked about the initiatives taken by the municipality to address those problems.
The two-day workshop concluded with a highly positive note. The elected representatives described the event as a useful platform for them to share their experience, lean what other municipalities are doing and become familiar with climate change and gender issues including SDGs and why their incorporation in municipality plans and budget is crucial. They also pledged to incorporate climate and gender consideration in their upcoming annual plans and budgets.
For more details click here