Thursday, October 15, 2009
Interaction program with woman. Organizations
NGO- FONIN organized interaction program for one day with different woman organizations (Baisakha 10, 2065) that was how to empowerment and involve of woman in the future program? What are their organizational mission, vision, and goal? What they except from NGO-FONIN? What is their suggestion to NGO-FONIN? There was 25 participations from different organization like Help Nepal, Himalayan sarbanggin development, pabitra paldor samaj, Lohorung woman samuha, Indigenous sarokar Kendra, Chamling language, culture development, Nepal kirat kulung mahila samaj, Spin, Nepal indigenous woman federation, Thulung mahila samaj, Bahing kirat ingsimi mulukhim. This program was first time organized by NGO-FONIN with a view to empowerment and encourage for woman.
वार्षिक कार्यक्रम योजना र रणनीतिक योजना सम्वन्धि दुई दिने अभिमुखीकरण तालिम कार्यक्रम सम्पन्न
आदिवासी तथा जनजाति गैरसरकारी संस्था महासंघ आदिवासी जनजातिहरुले स्थापना गरेको गैरसरकारी संस्था तथा आदिवासी जनजाति जातिय संस्थाहरुको छाता संगठन हो । हाल यसमा झण्डै ८० भन्दा बढी जातिय तथा गैर सरकारी संस्था आवद्ध भई महासंघको सदस्य संस्था भएका छन् । धेरै वर्ष देखि राज्यको एक जाति एक भाषा, एक धर्म, एक संस्कृति हिन्दु राज्यको प्रभावका कारण आदिवासी तथा जाजातिहरु अधिकार बिहीन र पछाडी पारिएको अवस्थामा छन् । पछिल्लो समय, विशेष गरी २०४६ को राजनीतिक परिवर्तन पछिको खुलापनका कारण उनीहरु आफ्नो अधिकार प्रप्तीका लागि विभिन्न कोणबाट आवाज उठाई रहेका छन् । सामाजिक आन्दोलनबाट उठान भएको आदिवासी जनजाति आन्दोलन बिस्तारै राजनीतिक आन्दोलन तर्फ केन्द्रीत हुन थालेको छ । हुनत विगतमा पनि जातीय मुक्तिका लागि राजनीतिक विदे्राहहरु नभएका होईनन् । तर तत्कालीन राज्यको दमनकारी नीति र आदिवासी जनजातिमा आफ्नो अधिकार प्रति कम चेतना भएका कारण विद्रोहका स्वरहरु दबाईका थिए । पछिल्लो समयमा आएर राजनीतिक रुपमा आदिवासी जनजाति सचेत जागरुक बनेको अवस्था छ । त्यसैको परिणाम स्वरुप अधिकाँश राजनीतिक दलको नीति तथा घोषणमा मात्र भएपनि आदिवासी जनजातिका सवाल समावेश भएका छन् भने ती दलहरुमा आदिवासी जनजाति विभागहरु समेत गठन भएको अवस्था छ । अधिकारवाट वञ्चित आदिवासी जनजातिहरुलाई क्षमता अभिवृद्धि गरी सशक्तिकरण गर्दै उनीहरुको हक अधिकार स्थापना, जगेर्ना र प्रर्वद्धन तथा राज्यको मुल प्रवाहमा समाबेश गरी समन्नुत तथा न्यायीक समाजको स्थापना गर्न योगदान पु¥याउन सहयोग गर्ने उद्देश्यले यस महासंघको स्थापना भएको हो । आदिवासी जनजातिहरुको हक, अधिकार स्थापनाको सवालमा महासंघले विभिन्न प्रयासहरु गर्दै आएको छ । हाल यसले डानिडा हुगु (DanidaHUGOU) को सहयोगमा जनजाति सशक्तिकरण तथा समावेशी परियोजना संचालन गरी भर्खर मात्र सम्पन्न गरेको छ । साथै DanidaHUGOU सँग सन् २००९ देखि पाँच वर्षका लागि रणनीतिक साझेदारीका लागि सम्झौता समेत भैसकेको छ । DanidaHUGOU को सहयोगमा सन् २००५ बाट १० वटा सदस्य संस्था मार्फत १० जिल्लामा कार्यक्रम सञ्चालन गर्दै आएकोमा रणनीतिक साझेदारी पछि २० वटा सदस्य संस्थाहरु मार्फत NGOFONIN ले २० जिल्लामा कार्यक्रम गर्ने छ । आदिवासी जनजातिहरुको सशक्तिकरण प्रकृयावाट उनीहरुको सामाजिक, आर्थिक, राजनैतिक विकास प्रकृयामा सहभागीता वृद्धि गराउनु साथै राज्यको मुल प्रवाहमा र उनीहरुलाई स्थानीय साधन स्रोतमा पहुँच पु¥याउनु यस कार्यक्रमको प्रमुख उद्देश्य रहेको छ । आदिवासी जनजातिहरुको सशक्तिकरण प्रकृया अन्र्तगत यसले विभिन्न तालिम, गोष्ठी, अध्ययन भ्रमण, अनुसन्धान जस्ता कृयाकलापहरु संचालन गरिरहेको छ । यसै अनुरुप महासंघले यस आर्थिक वर्षमा कार्यसञ्चालन गर्ने २० वटा संस्थाहरुको कार्य योजना, आर्थिक बाँडफटको बारेमा, र कार्यक्रमको रुपरेखाको बारेमा अभिमुखीकरण गरी स्पष्ट पार्ने काम भएको थियो भने रणनीतिक साझेदारी पछिको पहिलो पर्षको यस आर्थिक वर्ष १७ असार २०६६ देखि शुरु भई ३२ असार २०६७ सम्मको रहेको छ । उक्त कार्यक्रममा विभिन्न कार्यसञ्चालन गर्ने २० सदस्य संस्थाहरु, कार्यसमितिका पदाधिकारीहरु र कर्मचारीहरु गरी ५५ जनाको सहभागीता रहेको थियो ।
संस्थागत विकास तालिम सम्पन्न २००९
नेपालका आदिवासी जनजातिहरु दुई सय ४० वर्ष सम्मको राज्यको एक जाति एक भाषा, एक धर्म, एक संस्कृतिको संरक्षण नीतिका कारण अधिकार बिहीन र पछाडी पारिएको अवस्थामा छन् । पछिल्लो समय, विशेष गरी २०४६ को राजनीतिक परिवर्तन पछिको खुलापनका कारण उनीहरु आफ्नो अधिकारका प्रप्तीका लागि विभिन्न कोणबाट आवाज उठाई रहेका छन् । सामाजिक आन्दोलनबाट उठान भएको आदिवासी जनजाति आन्दोलन बिस्तारै राजनीतिक आन्दोलन तर्फ केन्द्रीत हुन थालेको छ । हुनत विगतमा पनि जातीय मुक्तिका लागि राजनीतिक विद्रहहरु नभएका होईनन् । तर तत्कालीन राज्यको दमनकारी नीति र आदिवासी जनजातिमा आफ्नो अधिकार प्रति कम चेतना भएका कारण विद्रोहका स्वरहरु दबाईका थिए । पछिल्लो समयमा आएर राजनीतिरुपमा आदिवासी जनजाति सचेत जागरुक बनेको अवस्था छ । त्यसैको परिणाम स्वरुप अधिकाँश राजनीतिक दलको नीति तथा घोषणमा मात्र भएपनि आदिवासी जनजातिका सवाल समावेश भएका छन् भने ती दलहरुमा आदिवासी जनजाति विभागहरु समेत गठन भएको अवस्था छ । तर पनि उनीहरुमा आएको यो चेतना र जागरुकताको धरातल भने सामाजिक संघ संगठनहरुनै हुन । सामाजिक संघखसंस्थाले सञ्चालन गरेका विभिन्न प्रकारका चेतनामुलक तथा वकालतीय कार्यक्रमहरुका कारण नै स्थनीय स्तरका आदिवासी जनजातिहरुमा आफ्नो आकिारकाबारेमा सचेत र जागरुक हुन थालेको भन्नेमा कुनै दुईमत छैन । यस्ता विभिन्न आदिवासी जनजातिसँग सम्बन्धित सामाजिक संघ संगठनहरु उनीहरुको सशक्तीकरण र सचेतनाका लागि देशव्यापीरुपमा काम गरिरहेका छन् । जुन संस्थाहरु आफ्नो समुदायको जागरुकताका लागि आफ्नै पहल तथा विभिन्न दातृ निकायहरुको सहयोगमा उनीहरुको हक अधिकारकाबारेमा काम गरिरहेका छन् ।
कुल जनसंख्याको ३७.२ प्रतिशत रहेका आदिवासी जनजाति समुदायको राज्यका कुनै पनि निकायमा जनसंख्याको आधारमा प्रतिनिधित्व र पहुँच पुग्न सकेको छैन । उनीहरुको शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य, रोजगारी जस्ता आधारभूत आवश्यकताको पूर्ति हुन नसकिरहेको अवस्था छ । राज्यको कानूननै आदिवासी जनजातिका लागि पूर्वाग्रही रहेका कारण उनीहरुले आफ्नो परम्परा तथा अधिकारहरुको प्रयोग र उपभोग गर्न पाएका छैनन् । यसै सिलसिलामा DanidaHUGOU सँगको रणनीतिक साझेदारीको कार्यक्रमको Capacity Development कार्यक्रम अन्तर्गत Organization Developm अन्तर्गतनै NGOFONIN ले आदिवासी जनजाति संघ संस्थाहरुको क्षमता विकास गरी संस्थागत दीगो विकास गर्ने उद्येश्यले सदस्य यंस्थाहरुका प्रतिनिधिहरुलाई अगस्ट २७ देखी २९ सम्म संस्थागत विकास तालिम [Organisational Development Training (OD Training]को आयोजना गरेको थियो ।
प्रशिक्षक प्रशिक्षण तालिम (TOT Training) सम्पन्न
आदिवासी तथा जनजाति गैरसरकारी संस्था महासंघ नेपाल (NGO-FONIN) ले विभिन्न आदिवासी तथा जनजाति संघ संस्थाहरुको प्रतिनीधिहरुलाई प्रशिक्षक प्रशिक्षण तालिम यहि मिति २०६६ असोज २४ देखि ३० गतेसम्म एक हप्ता सम्मको तालिम सम्पन्न गरेको छ । उक्त तालिमको उदेश्य विभिन्न संघ संस्थाबाट दक्ष प्रशिक्षक उत्पादन गर्ने रहेको थियो । जावलाखेल स्थित महिला विकास प्रशिक्षण केन्द्रमा सञ्चालित उक्त कार्यक्रममा १७ जना सहभागीताहरु रहेको थियो । उक्त कार्यक्रमलाई डम्मर लोहोरुङ र उत्तम उप्रेती ले सहजीकरण गर्नुभएको थियो ।
संस्थागत विकास तालिम सम्पन्न २००९
नेपालका आदिवासी जनजातिहरु दुई सय ४० वर्ष सम्मको राज्यको एक जाति एक भाषा, एक धर्म, एक संस्कृतिको संरक्षण नीतिका कारण अधिकार बिहीन र पछाडी पारिएको अवस्थामा छन् । पछिल्लो समय, विशेष गरी २०४६ को राजनीतिक परिवर्तन पछिको खुलापनका कारण उनीहरु आफ्नो अधिकारका प्रप्तीका लागि विभिन्न कोणबाट आवाज उठाई रहेका छन् । सामाजिक आन्दोलनबाट उठान भएको आदिवासी जनजाति आन्दोलन बिस्तारै राजनीतिक आन्दोलन तर्फ केन्द्रीत हुन थालेको छ । हुनत विगतमा पनि जातीय मुक्तिका लागि राजनीतिक विद्रहहरु नभएका होईनन् । तर तत्कालीन राज्यको दमनकारी नीति र आदिवासी जनजातिमा आफ्नो अधिकार प्रति कम चेतना भएका कारण विद्रोहका स्वरहरु दबाईका थिए । पछिल्लो समयमा आएर राजनीतिरुपमा आदिवासी जनजाति सचेत जागरुक बनेको अवस्था छ । त्यसैको परिणाम स्वरुप अधिकाँश राजनीतिक दलको नीति तथा घोषणमा मात्र भएपनि आदिवासी जनजातिका सवाल समावेश भएका छन् भने ती दलहरुमा आदिवासी जनजाति विभागहरु समेत गठन भएको अवस्था छ । तर पनि उनीहरुमा आएको यो चेतना र जागरुकताको धरातल भने सामाजिक संघ संगठनहरुनै हुन । सामाजिक संघखसंस्थाले सञ्चालन गरेका विभिन्न प्रकारका चेतनामुलक तथा वकालतीय कार्यक्रमहरुका कारण नै स्थनीय स्तरका आदिवासी जनजातिहरुमा आफ्नो आकिारकाबारेमा सचेत र जागरुक हुन थालेको भन्नेमा कुनै दुईमत छैन । यस्ता विभिन्न आदिवासी जनजातिसँग सम्बन्धित सामाजिक संघ संगठनहरु उनीहरुको सशक्तीकरण र सचेतनाका लागि देशव्यापीरुपमा काम गरिरहेका छन् । जुन संस्थाहरु आफ्नो समुदायको जागरुकताका लागि आफ्नै पहल तथा विभिन्न दातृ निकायहरुको सहयोगमा उनीहरुको हक अधिकारकाबारेमा काम गरिरहेका छन् ।
कुल जनसंख्याको ३७.२ प्रतिशत रहेका आदिवासी जनजाति समुदायको राज्यका कुनै पनि निकायमा जनसंख्याको आधारमा प्रतिनिधित्व र पहुँच पुग्न सकेको छैन । उनीहरुको शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य, रोजगारी जस्ता आधारभूत आवश्यकताको पूर्ति हुन नसकिरहेको अवस्था छ । राज्यको कानूननै आदिवासी जनजातिका लागि पूर्वाग्रही रहेका कारण उनीहरुले आफ्नो परम्परा तथा अधिकारहरुको प्रयोग र उपभोग गर्न पाएका छैनन् । यसै सिलसिलामा DanidaHUGOU सँगको रणनीतिक साझेदारीको कार्यक्रमको Capacity Development कार्यक्रम अन्तर्गत Organization Developm अन्तर्गतनै NGOFONIN ले आदिवासी जनजाति संघ संस्थाहरुको क्षमता विकास गरी संस्थागत दीगो विकास गर्ने उद्येश्यले सदस्य यंस्थाहरुका प्रतिनिधिहरुलाई अगस्ट २७ देखी २९ सम्म संस्थागत विकास तालिम [Organisational Development Training (OD Training]को आयोजना गरेको थियो ।
प्रशिक्षक प्रशिक्षण तालिम (TOT Training) सम्पन्न
आदिवासी तथा जनजाति गैरसरकारी संस्था महासंघ नेपाल (NGO-FONIN) ले विभिन्न आदिवासी तथा जनजाति संघ संस्थाहरुको प्रतिनीधिहरुलाई प्रशिक्षक प्रशिक्षण तालिम यहि मिति २०६६ असोज २४ देखि ३० गतेसम्म एक हप्ता सम्मको तालिम सम्पन्न गरेको छ । उक्त तालिमको उदेश्य विभिन्न संघ संस्थाबाट दक्ष प्रशिक्षक उत्पादन गर्ने रहेको थियो । जावलाखेल स्थित महिला विकास प्रशिक्षण केन्द्रमा सञ्चालित उक्त कार्यक्रममा १७ जना सहभागीताहरु रहेको थियो । उक्त कार्यक्रमलाई डम्मर लोहोरुङ र उत्तम उप्रेती ले सहजीकरण गर्नुभएको थियो ।
Major Activities of October 2009
8,9 October District program support w/s at chitwan
10,16- TOT Training
13,14, October W/S on Climate change
17 October Meeting at ILO
21 October - meeting with IPs NGOs
21, 24- Staff Selection
24, 30 TOT training 26, 27 October -W/S on financial management for strategic partnership to be organized by Danida HUGOU
8,9 October District program support w/s at chitwan
10,16- TOT Training
13,14, October W/S on Climate change
17 October Meeting at ILO
21 October - meeting with IPs NGOs
21, 24- Staff Selection
24, 30 TOT training 26, 27 October -W/S on financial management for strategic partnership to be organized by Danida HUGOU
प्रस्थाव तथा प्रतिवेदन लेखन तालिम सम्पन्न ।
आदिवासी तथा जनजाति गैरसरकारी संस्था महासंघ नेपाल अन्तर्गत जनजाति सशक्तिकरण तथा समावेसीकरण परियोजना जेपले ले प्रस्ताव लेखन तथा प्रतिवेदन लेखन तालिम आयोजना गरेको थियो । यहि मिति २०६५ साल फाल्गुन ८ गते देखि १४ सम्म होटल प्याराडाइजमा सम्पन्न उक्त तालिममा जनजाति सशक्तिकरण तथा समावेशीकरण परियोजना संस्चालन गरिरहेका १० वटा सदस्य संस्थाहरुका २।२ जना महिला र पुरुष प्रतिनीधिहरुको सहभागीता रहेको थियो । उक्त तालिमलाई डम्मर लोहोरुङ र उत्तम नेपालले सहजीकरण गरेको थियो । ४ दिनको प्रस्ताव र ३ दिनको प्रतिवेदन गरि जम्मा ७ दिन सम्म चलेको उक्त तालिममा सवै सहभागीहरुले उत्सुक्ताका साथ सहभागीता जनाएका थिए । तालिमबाट प्रस्ताव लेखन र प्रतिवेदन लेखन सम्वन्धि धेरै कुरा सिकेको र आगामी दिनमा यो तालिमको सहायताले आफ्नो संस्थाको लागी सहयोग पुग्ने सहभागीहरुको भनाई थियो । कार्यक्रमको अन्तमा सवै सहभागीहरुलाई प्रमाणपत्र वितरण गरि समापन गरिएको थियो ।
सोही तालिम १० वटा जिल्ला संञ्जालका २।२ जना प्रतिनीधिहरुलाई पनि यहि मिति २०६५ साल फल्गुन १५ देखि २१ सम्म जावलाखेल स्थित स्टाप कलेजमा सञ्चालन गरिएको थियो । एउटै उदेश्य रहेको उक्त तालिममा विभिन्न जिल्लाबाट प्रतिनीधिहरुको उपस्थिति रहेको थियो । सो तालिमलाई डम्मर लोहोरुङ, होम प्रसाद याम्फु, धनबहादुर तामाङले संयुक्त रुपमा सहजीकरण गरेको थियो । सहभागीहरुले आगामी दिनमा यो तालिमलाई उपयोग गर्दै आफ्नो आफ्नो जिल्लामा रहेका संस्थाहरुमा सहयोग पुग्ने बताएका थिए । कार्यक्रमको अन्तिम दिन सवै सहभागीहरुलाई प्रमाण पत्र वितरण गरि समापन गरिएको थियो ।
सोही तालिम १० वटा जिल्ला संञ्जालका २।२ जना प्रतिनीधिहरुलाई पनि यहि मिति २०६५ साल फल्गुन १५ देखि २१ सम्म जावलाखेल स्थित स्टाप कलेजमा सञ्चालन गरिएको थियो । एउटै उदेश्य रहेको उक्त तालिममा विभिन्न जिल्लाबाट प्रतिनीधिहरुको उपस्थिति रहेको थियो । सो तालिमलाई डम्मर लोहोरुङ, होम प्रसाद याम्फु, धनबहादुर तामाङले संयुक्त रुपमा सहजीकरण गरेको थियो । सहभागीहरुले आगामी दिनमा यो तालिमलाई उपयोग गर्दै आफ्नो आफ्नो जिल्लामा रहेका संस्थाहरुमा सहयोग पुग्ने बताएका थिए । कार्यक्रमको अन्तिम दिन सवै सहभागीहरुलाई प्रमाण पत्र वितरण गरि समापन गरिएको थियो ।
सुशासन नीति आत्मासाथ साथै पुनरावलोकन सम्बन्धि २ दिने कार्यशाला गोष्ठी
आदिवासी तथा जनजाति गैरसरकारी संस्था महासंघ नेपाल ९एनजिओ फोनिन०को सुशासन नीति लाई आत्मासाथ गर्ने साथै जनजाति सशत्तिःकरण तथा समावेशी परियोजना अन्तर्गत आफ्ना १० वटा सदस्य संस्थाहरुलाई उनीहरुको संस्थागत विकास र क्षमता अभिवृद्धि गर्ने उदेश्यले विभिन्न तालिमहरुको आयोजना गरि उक्त तालिममा सहभागी गराई जिल्लाहरुमा आदिवासी जनजातिहरुको सवालमा कार्यक्रमहरु संचालनसहज बनाउन र सुशासन नीति लाई आत्मासाथ गर्न टेवा पु¥याउने उदेश्यले यहि मिति २०६५ साल माघ १८ र १९ गते जमल स्थित होटल प्याराडाईजमा दुई दिने कार्यशाला गोष्टीको आयोजना गरेको थियो जम्मा ३२ जनाको सहभागीता रहेको उक्त कार्यशाला गोष्टीमा आदिवासी तथा जनजाति गैर सरकारी संस्थाभित्र रहेका सुशासन नीतिहरुलाई आत्मासाथ गर्ने साथै सुशासन प्रकृयालई संस्थागत गर्ने, सुशासन नीतिमाथी छलफल गर्ने र सुशासन नीतिमाथी भएका कमीकमजोरीलाई केलाउने उदेश्य रहेको थियो ।
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities
Introduction
The Strategic Plan (SP) of NGO-Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities (NGO-FONIN) has been prepared with the aim to guide the federation towards achieving its mission. This plan has three main parts as: A) Strategic Framework, B) Operational plan, and C) Institutional Development Plan.
A. Strategic Framework: includes situational analysis, national and international legal provisions, challenges, rational, history behind starting the NGO-Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities (NGO-FONIN), what the organization has done to date, and where the strategic direction lies in moving forward
B. Operational Plan: where key outputs have been identified as areas needing the most work and attention, and detail on how these activities are to be addressed. Two addendums follow the main parts of this plan: The Logical Framework used to develop this plan and The Total 5-year Budget Plan that is a detailed breakdown of financial needs for each output listed in the Operational Plan.
C. Institutional Development Plan: includes information on how NGO-FONIN will develop policies and procedures, as well as how we plan to build capacity into the organization.
D. Annual Work Plan and Budget 2066/67 (2009/10)
Discussions are ongoing with National Indigenous Women’s Federation (NIWF) to explore the possibility of implementing, through this organisation, activities under some of the Outputs related to gender and indigenous women planned in this StOP.
A. The Strategic Framework
Based on the participatory analysis of the situation, what is seen to be prevailing for some time to come is a situation of doubts, uncertainties, and political and economic instability for all INs. The people's aspirations are been high after the recent peace processes in the country, but problems related with INs do not seem to have been resolved as expected.
A.1 Problem/Context Analysis
Socio-economic status
The Nepal Living Standard Survey has shown that absolute poverty has decreased from 42 to 31 percent in the last 10 years. However, during the same period, the difference between the rich and the poor has widened – for example, the Gini Coefficient has increased from 0.34 to 0.41. A high incidence of poverty is found among Dalits (46%), hill ethnic groups (44%) and Muslims (41%). The per capita income in Rupees is 80,400 for Brahmin & Chhetris and 13,300 for INs. A recent study carried out on 35 groups of Indigenous Women shows that only 20% of 35 Indigenous groups have food supplies adequate for 3 months, 40% have 6-12 months and only 8.5% have food for 12 months.
Political participation and the CA process
Looking back at the recent past political scenario and comparing that with the present political situation, political participation used to be very low, when INs where not identified. The present constituent assembly has 213 assembly members from different INs groups (34%); however this unprecedented presence of INs in the constituent assembly is not a guarantee that the INs issues will get attention in the constitution making process due to their affiliation to political parties. The long political domination of one group of caste has given birth to some regional political forces that are very capable of playing a forceful role in the regional political scenario in the days to come. So, even in the present open situation, INs do not seem to be well organized and have no political forum to speak of. They will unable to influence political decisions in their favour in the current political climate.
Political parties (as well as the current government) do not seem to be honouring CPR or ESCR nor INs rights guaranteed by national and international laws. The prevailing attitudes held by the political parties and the government is to ignore INs rights, and this is exemplified by the recent failure of the CA in not having formed a separate committee on INs during the constitution making process, despite the countrywide INs demand.
Indigenous women
The population of women in Nepal represents 50.03% of the total population. But due to discriminatory state policies and societal practices, they have been marginalized, exploited and excluded in all spheres of development. The literacy rate for women is 34.6% - almost half of their male counterparts that stand at 62.2%. Women own less land, only 10.84% own land whereas 89.16% of men own land.
The literacy rate for indigenous women is seen to be 25% on average, ranging from 0-80% among the 35 INs groups. Attainment of a secondary level of education is 14%, while only 4% at the Bachelors level and 1% at the Masters level. So 96% of indigenous women have a lower level of education, making it even more difficult to enter into decision-making at the national level, which explains why female representation in Parliament was 5.86% after the election of 2054 B.S. and in the present constituent assembly that number is approximately 10%.
Vulnerable and highly marginalized groups
There are 12 highly marginalized groups[1] and 10 endangered groups[2] categorized by NEFIN. All groups are very much excluded and discriminated against in all spheres of development activities. Some are endangered in the sense that they are losing their identity due to an assimilation process, combined with ignorance and poverty. They are deprived of economic, social, and cultural rights - not only by state policies and practices - but also by the so-called “modern development process”. However, the above categorization is based on the enlisted 59 groups only - without regard to other groups that are not enlisted. The situation of some of the un-enlisted groups is even more serious.
For example, Jerong is one highly endangered ethnic group that meets all criteria for such categorization if it were among the other 59 groups. The lack of clear-cut policies in government regarding INs issues coupled with power politics within the dominant INs groups have further aggravated the process of marginalization and exclusion of the more vulnerable INs groups. This process has conditioned them to be in such a deplorable situation that there does not seem to be an immediate solution until these groups become more aware of the overall situation.
Legal challenges
The INs population of Nepal is 37.2% of the total population, but they are not recognized as a separate group that constitutionally guarantees them their identity. INs have been separated from their customary laws, traditional knowledge, skills, ancestral land and resources, which is their base for development. Government acts such as the Local Self-Government Act, Community Forestry Act, National Park Act, Land Reform (Kipat Abolishment) Act, etc., are detrimental to the INs value system and development capacity.
National and international laws
Even after the country has been declared a secular state, the pervasiveness of the so-called high caste cultural practices has remained as predominant in the cultural practices of INs. The alien (non-INs) cultural practices and attitudes have become institutionalized to the extent that laws concerning INs cultural practices tend to be ignored. International instruments guaranteeing INs rights: ILO Con. 169, UNDRIP, CPR, ESCR, CRC, CEDAW, UNSCR 1325, and a number of other treaties are often not implemented by the State in true spirit of these instruments. On the other hand, most of the INs are not aware of National and International legal provisions with regard to their rights, which mean they cannot claim their rights within the State and International Community.
In light of the above, national and international laws concerning INs need to be enforced and national legal provisions contradicting the international instruments need to be amended accordingly.
The Interim Constitution and the existing gaps in INs rights
The Interim Constitution, which is thought to be an outcome of the 10-year Janayuddha (Peoples War), during which more than 60% of the total casualties were INs. However, the same Interim Constitution has a provision under Article 142 (4), stating that:
"The election commission shall not register any political party if any Nepali citizen is discriminated against in becoming member of the political party on the basis of religion, caste, tribe, language or gender or if the name, objective symbols or flags of such political party is of a character that may disturb the country's religious or communal unity or is divisive in character...."
It was this same provision of the Constitution of 1990 that had prevented the Mongol National Organization Party from being registered with the Election Commission. This Article stands directly against the CPR and ILO Convention 169.
National institutions and INs issues
There are many national-level organizations that deal directly with INs issues:
· National Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN)
· Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN)
· National Indigenous Women Federation (NIWF)
· National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
· National Network of Indigenous Women (NNIW)
· NGO Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities (NGO-FONIN)
NFDIN is a state institution founded in 2002, with the responsibility of economic, social and cultural development of the INs, as an effort of the government to bring the INs into the national development mainstream. NEFIN and NIWF, both are federations of INs - specific organizations of the enlisted 59 groups, and by legal status, are both NGOs. NEFIN, as a federation, is responsible for the preservation and promotion of the distinct social, political, cultural and linguistic identity of peoples, and also for enhancing the inclusion of INs in the national development process.
As a separate organization, NIWF looks after the specific issues of indigenous women to ensure their rights for equal participation in the national development process. Of these organizations, NFDIN, being a state institution, is bound to carry out policies related with INs in the government perspective, confined to working for the 59 enlisted groups, and the other two (NEFIN and NIWF) are also confined to working for the 59 enlisted groups. All three groups have the same practice to exclude un-enlisted INs groups. NGO-FONIN, on the other hand, is open to all groups, regardless of their identity or recognition by the government.
This leaves a large number of INs groups in want of recognition. The act of non-recognition of un-enlisted INs groups in itself has become an additional discrimination meted by the State. This however represents only a part, and not the whole of INs who are under multi-folded discriminations within the country.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is an autonomous, constitutional body. Civil society organisations such as INHURED, INSEC, CWIN, and NNIW, NIWF, NEFIN, LAHURNIP, among others, are working for the promotion and protection of Human Rights. CWIN is concerned with child rights whereas NNIW and NIWF are concerned with indigenous women's issues. NEFIN is concern with INs issues in general. INs representation is nominal in NHRC.
NGO-FONIN intends to take on the issues facing INs that others ignore, but is facing a legacy of problems:
· Lack of awareness amongst INs in regards to their rights.
· Lack of coordination between groups.
· Disrespect of national and international laws by the state.
· Inappropriate and inadequate policies that deal with INs issues.
· Lack of participation of INs at decision-making levels.
· The domination of one elite group in political, economic and state affairs.
· Lack of authentic data on INs and their specific issues.
In addition to the above list, the pervasiveness of different political ideologies among INs is such that it has divided INs into factions. One faction regards society as having only one identity or "class" that is based on their socio-economic conditions and a society does not have diverse identities based on caste, race, language, and culture at all. This catchy ideology is rapidly gaining popularity among INs and other excluded or marginalised groups who are not aware of their real identity, due in part to the assimilation process over the past decades. This stance stands in opposition to NGO-FONIN objectives and to INs right to self-determination.
Complicating matters even more, many development agencies are not aware of this rift in society and wonder why the scanty resources poured into the development of INs have not brought about a change. Some agencies cannot even work with INs - as these groups are not defined and thus do not meet agency standards. This misunderstanding between ideologues accounts for many INs being pushed aside by donors.
However, NGO-FONIN has withstood these crucial struggles, and despite the unfavourable situation NGO-FONIN has equipped itself with skills, resources, and infrastructure using grass-roots techniques, and is now prepared for future development activities. NGO-FONIN intends to create a separate "stream" of development activities that will prevent INs identity from being assimilated. It intends to work in close collaboration and coordination with all concerned, and is already stepping-up policy advocacy a notch.
Since policy lapses and social/political practices seem to be the main hurdles in promoting human rights of INs, NGO-FONIN will focus on specific policies for improving the lives of indigenous women and children. Today, the generalized policies and programs are influenced by the social practices and attitudes of the elite group. This has a direct bearing on the conditions of indigenous women and children. The great number of street children in Nepal and an even greater number of girls being trafficked for sex and drugs are from indigenous groups. The Convention on the Right of Child and the rights to reproductive health of women is being ignored, so there is a need for a more proactive approach to be taken by the government to uphold the spirit of national and international laws but since a limited group of people have captured the social, economic and political power, the rest (INs, Dalits, women, disabled, etc.) do not have significant roles within the state apparatus (judiciary, legislative and executive branches), which means there is a lack of participation in the entire decision-making process. NGO-FONINs proactive approach to reverse this trend is further described in this strategic plan.
A.2 External Environmental Analysis
The impact of shifting government policy
Government policies for the social and development sectors have to be recognized as shaping factors for NGO-FONIN and all NGOs in Nepal. Government policy shifts may impede NGO functions as long as political simmering and an economic crisis continue. Since non-partisanship is not the norm for most NGOs in Nepal, any policy shifts that occur are usually disruptive to the development community as a whole.
NFDIN for example, is a government institution that must follow government policies in regards to INs. NGO-FONIN has to deal with NFDIN through policy advocacy and dialogue, and often NFDIN policies contradict NGO-FONIN objectives (INs rights). NEFIN, an NGO and federation of ethnicity specific organization of enlisted groups has long practised exclusion of its own groups - confining itself to 59 enlisted ones, yet also claims to be the “one” umbrella organization of INs in Nepal. The problem is that there are about the same number of INs who are yet to be recognized! Both the government and NEFIN have ignored these groups up until now. NGO-FONIN, who is not ignoring these un-recognized groups and is dealing with the reality of the situation, is also competing with NEFIN for scarce resources.
The “classless society” and the definition of “minority”
The political ideology advocating for a "classless society" is a considerable challenge for NGO-FONIN as well as for all INs. The existence of Indigenous Nationalities means the existence of "communities with diversity with distinct languages, cultures, traditional practices, traditional knowledge systems and customary laws, among others. People having this diversity are also entitled to special rights as guaranteed by the international instruments. The ideology of “classless society” does not accept this diversity.
And likewise, development agencies have another definition in regard to minorities. “Minority” is defined mostly by the extent in which there has been discrimination and domination of an elite group, of which INs may also be a part. If INs are to be treated as a minority only, their diversity will not be protected nor will be their special rights either, because minority groups as such do not have these special rights afforded. This means that both the ideology of “classless society” and the concept of “minority” held by developing agencies both encourage assimilation of INs and stand against diversity. This requires a persistent effort on NGO-FONINs part - by way of policy advocacy and dialogue - to prevail.
NGOs, IPOs and the International Indigenous Movement (IIM)
NGOs usually exist to represent a weaker section of society. But often the weaker sections of the society do not see this representation, as does the particular NGO. From the outside, society members see their representatives within NGOs serving their own interests. There is an absence of accountability. Comparatively, IPOs are seen as better serving their constituencies than NGOs. Within IPOs there is cultural cohesiveness among members. They often have more concern for their cultural identity, which in turn has made them vigilant about INs issues. However, there is absence of good governance fin most civil society organisations in Nepal.
The International Indigenous Movement (IIM) is gaining respect however. What shape this movement takes will be of great importance to the INs of Nepal, where the government and the political parties are neither responsive nor flexible. For example, the endorsement of land ownership for aborigines by the Australian Parliament, the creation of ethnicity-based rule in Mindanao/Cordillera in the Philippines, and the incorporation of all provisions of UNDRIP into the new constitution by the Bolivian government, are all outcomes of IIM having far-reaching effects on the movement worldwide.
The Nepali Government has ratified the ILO Convention 169 and implementation plans are in progress now. Also, UNDRIP 2007 has been ratified by the government. These are milestones for the INs movement in Nepal. However, during the current constitution-making process, there are signs that the new constitution may be unfavourable towards INs.
A.3 Rationale
With the establishment of NFDIN in 2002 under the Ministry of Local Development and followed by the formation of NEFIN as an umbrella organization of the enlisted Indigenous Nationalities, INs are now divided into two groups: one with the recognition and the other without recognition of their identity.
Both the NFDIN (a government institution) and NEFIN (an NGO), represent ethnicity-specific organizations that work for development and protection of the rights of INs by influencing policy makers in favour of IN issues, but are confined to only those groups that have government recognition. By function and responsibility, NFDIN is to carry out government policies in regards to INs. Political appointees or political party-supported nominees head NFDIN. They have confined themselves to work only for the enlisted groups (and government programs and budgets are all based on these numbers of enlisted groups). However, almost the same number of groups has been left out, and their economic, social, and cultural rights are being violated as they are being subjected to assimilation just to survive or compete, i.e. join another similar group that has been enlisted. For example, if a person from a non-enlisted group wants to apply for scholarship or other services, he or she has to have a certification from an enlisted ethnicity specific organization to become a legitimate contender. In the case of the Kirat group, one has to be certified as Rai despite his or her own distinct identity in order to be a legitimate contender for a scholarship.
In development activities run by NFDIN and NEFIN, political ideology seems to have over-run the free learning process of the communities and is limiting open participation in the system. On the other hand, development agencies are unaware of how many INs group members are without identity and that are being deprived of their rights to have access to state and other resources. After all, development agencies have been working only with the elite group of decision makers for many years. The need of an INs-focused program is thought to be crucial in order to expand the role of developing agencies. The formation of NGO-FONIN should be seen in this light.
NGO-FONIN was formally registered in 2004 with the Kathmandu District Administration, as a federation of IPOs and INs NGOs - regardless of whether a particular community had been recognized or not. To form a more representative INs organization and to facilitate all the issues of rights-based development of INs, it started with 11-member organizations. Prior to that, there was a forum called BAKULOCHANA (Bahing, Kulung, Lohorung, Chamling and Nachhiring) representing just 5 IPOs.
Nepal is a land of diverse Indigenous Nationalities. After the People's Movement in 1990, Indigenous People started to raise their voices about their basic rights. According to the 2001 census, there are 92 distinct languages spoken and 101 different ethnic groups in Nepal. Respecting the voice of the Indigenous People, the Government of Nepal formed a committee entitled National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) with the purpose of bringing Indigenous People into the mainstream development of the country. In 2002, NFDIN under the Ministry of Local Development listed 59 Indigenous Nationalities. This process divided Indigenous People into two groups. One of which was recognised and the other not, left without recognition of their identity.
In response, NGO-FONIN worked informally through a forum called BAKULOCHANA (a forum made from the following groups: Bahing, Kulung, Lohorung, Chamling and Nachhiring) and represented 5 unlisted Indigenous Peoples Organisation (IPOs). BAKULOCHANA intervened when the Government and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) started work on a project that would threaten the access rights of Indigenous People to natural resources. IUCN was working on the registration of bio-diversity and was against the provision of the Convention on Biodiversity, Article 8 (j), on Access and Benefit Sharing. The Government did not have a clear policy on the implementation of the Biodiversity Declaration. Instead, it had a draft Bill that was not registered with the House of Representatives. BAKULOCHANA seriously threatened the project and soon after, the project stopped. In order to respond to the government to have the rights of Indigenous Nationalities incorporated into the Bill, the National Environmental Coalition of Indigenous Nationalities (NECIN) was formed. BAKULOCHANA and NECIN had several rounds of talks with the Government and IUCN submitted amendments to the Bill to have the rights of Indigenous People to natural resources secured as provided for in the Convention on Biodiversity Declaration. This was a lesson learnt for BAKULOCHANA. NGO-FONIN was formed with the objective of making collective efforts for securing an assortment of rights of Indigenous Nationalities.
Though NGO-FONIN was formally established in 2004 (2060 BS), the affiliated member organisations, and particularly BAKULOCHANA, Society for People in Needs (SPIN), COSFONAD, Shristhi etc. were already working on INs issues since 2001 (2058 BS) collectively. After 2004, NGO-FONIN was linked with other national and international organisations and implementing various program activities in collaborations and partnerships.
During the past 5 years, NGO-FONIN has worked with Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) Foundation, Asian Peoples' Alliance for Combating HIV/AIDS (APACHA), DanidaHUGOU, UNDP and NFDIN. However, DanidaHUGOU, AIPP, UNDP are the major supporters of these programs. From 2006, "Janajati Empowerment and Inclusion Project (JEIP)" is being implemented at the central level as well as in 10 districts with the support of DanidaHUGOU. This project is a milestone for NGO-FONIN. The project has played a major role in the strengthening of NGO-FONIN, its member organizations, and district networks - together with raising the issues of INs to the forefront.
[1] Majhi, Siar, Lhomi, Thudam, Dhanuk, Chepang, Satar/Santhal, Jhagad, Thami, Bote, Danuwar and Baramu
[2] Kusunda, Bankariya, Raute, Surel, Hayu, Raji, Kisan, Lepcha, Meche and Kusbadia
The Strategic Plan (SP) of NGO-Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities (NGO-FONIN) has been prepared with the aim to guide the federation towards achieving its mission. This plan has three main parts as: A) Strategic Framework, B) Operational plan, and C) Institutional Development Plan.
A. Strategic Framework: includes situational analysis, national and international legal provisions, challenges, rational, history behind starting the NGO-Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities (NGO-FONIN), what the organization has done to date, and where the strategic direction lies in moving forward
B. Operational Plan: where key outputs have been identified as areas needing the most work and attention, and detail on how these activities are to be addressed. Two addendums follow the main parts of this plan: The Logical Framework used to develop this plan and The Total 5-year Budget Plan that is a detailed breakdown of financial needs for each output listed in the Operational Plan.
C. Institutional Development Plan: includes information on how NGO-FONIN will develop policies and procedures, as well as how we plan to build capacity into the organization.
D. Annual Work Plan and Budget 2066/67 (2009/10)
Discussions are ongoing with National Indigenous Women’s Federation (NIWF) to explore the possibility of implementing, through this organisation, activities under some of the Outputs related to gender and indigenous women planned in this StOP.
A. The Strategic Framework
Based on the participatory analysis of the situation, what is seen to be prevailing for some time to come is a situation of doubts, uncertainties, and political and economic instability for all INs. The people's aspirations are been high after the recent peace processes in the country, but problems related with INs do not seem to have been resolved as expected.
A.1 Problem/Context Analysis
Socio-economic status
The Nepal Living Standard Survey has shown that absolute poverty has decreased from 42 to 31 percent in the last 10 years. However, during the same period, the difference between the rich and the poor has widened – for example, the Gini Coefficient has increased from 0.34 to 0.41. A high incidence of poverty is found among Dalits (46%), hill ethnic groups (44%) and Muslims (41%). The per capita income in Rupees is 80,400 for Brahmin & Chhetris and 13,300 for INs. A recent study carried out on 35 groups of Indigenous Women shows that only 20% of 35 Indigenous groups have food supplies adequate for 3 months, 40% have 6-12 months and only 8.5% have food for 12 months.
Political participation and the CA process
Looking back at the recent past political scenario and comparing that with the present political situation, political participation used to be very low, when INs where not identified. The present constituent assembly has 213 assembly members from different INs groups (34%); however this unprecedented presence of INs in the constituent assembly is not a guarantee that the INs issues will get attention in the constitution making process due to their affiliation to political parties. The long political domination of one group of caste has given birth to some regional political forces that are very capable of playing a forceful role in the regional political scenario in the days to come. So, even in the present open situation, INs do not seem to be well organized and have no political forum to speak of. They will unable to influence political decisions in their favour in the current political climate.
Political parties (as well as the current government) do not seem to be honouring CPR or ESCR nor INs rights guaranteed by national and international laws. The prevailing attitudes held by the political parties and the government is to ignore INs rights, and this is exemplified by the recent failure of the CA in not having formed a separate committee on INs during the constitution making process, despite the countrywide INs demand.
Indigenous women
The population of women in Nepal represents 50.03% of the total population. But due to discriminatory state policies and societal practices, they have been marginalized, exploited and excluded in all spheres of development. The literacy rate for women is 34.6% - almost half of their male counterparts that stand at 62.2%. Women own less land, only 10.84% own land whereas 89.16% of men own land.
The literacy rate for indigenous women is seen to be 25% on average, ranging from 0-80% among the 35 INs groups. Attainment of a secondary level of education is 14%, while only 4% at the Bachelors level and 1% at the Masters level. So 96% of indigenous women have a lower level of education, making it even more difficult to enter into decision-making at the national level, which explains why female representation in Parliament was 5.86% after the election of 2054 B.S. and in the present constituent assembly that number is approximately 10%.
Vulnerable and highly marginalized groups
There are 12 highly marginalized groups[1] and 10 endangered groups[2] categorized by NEFIN. All groups are very much excluded and discriminated against in all spheres of development activities. Some are endangered in the sense that they are losing their identity due to an assimilation process, combined with ignorance and poverty. They are deprived of economic, social, and cultural rights - not only by state policies and practices - but also by the so-called “modern development process”. However, the above categorization is based on the enlisted 59 groups only - without regard to other groups that are not enlisted. The situation of some of the un-enlisted groups is even more serious.
For example, Jerong is one highly endangered ethnic group that meets all criteria for such categorization if it were among the other 59 groups. The lack of clear-cut policies in government regarding INs issues coupled with power politics within the dominant INs groups have further aggravated the process of marginalization and exclusion of the more vulnerable INs groups. This process has conditioned them to be in such a deplorable situation that there does not seem to be an immediate solution until these groups become more aware of the overall situation.
Legal challenges
The INs population of Nepal is 37.2% of the total population, but they are not recognized as a separate group that constitutionally guarantees them their identity. INs have been separated from their customary laws, traditional knowledge, skills, ancestral land and resources, which is their base for development. Government acts such as the Local Self-Government Act, Community Forestry Act, National Park Act, Land Reform (Kipat Abolishment) Act, etc., are detrimental to the INs value system and development capacity.
National and international laws
Even after the country has been declared a secular state, the pervasiveness of the so-called high caste cultural practices has remained as predominant in the cultural practices of INs. The alien (non-INs) cultural practices and attitudes have become institutionalized to the extent that laws concerning INs cultural practices tend to be ignored. International instruments guaranteeing INs rights: ILO Con. 169, UNDRIP, CPR, ESCR, CRC, CEDAW, UNSCR 1325, and a number of other treaties are often not implemented by the State in true spirit of these instruments. On the other hand, most of the INs are not aware of National and International legal provisions with regard to their rights, which mean they cannot claim their rights within the State and International Community.
In light of the above, national and international laws concerning INs need to be enforced and national legal provisions contradicting the international instruments need to be amended accordingly.
The Interim Constitution and the existing gaps in INs rights
The Interim Constitution, which is thought to be an outcome of the 10-year Janayuddha (Peoples War), during which more than 60% of the total casualties were INs. However, the same Interim Constitution has a provision under Article 142 (4), stating that:
"The election commission shall not register any political party if any Nepali citizen is discriminated against in becoming member of the political party on the basis of religion, caste, tribe, language or gender or if the name, objective symbols or flags of such political party is of a character that may disturb the country's religious or communal unity or is divisive in character...."
It was this same provision of the Constitution of 1990 that had prevented the Mongol National Organization Party from being registered with the Election Commission. This Article stands directly against the CPR and ILO Convention 169.
National institutions and INs issues
There are many national-level organizations that deal directly with INs issues:
· National Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN)
· Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN)
· National Indigenous Women Federation (NIWF)
· National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
· National Network of Indigenous Women (NNIW)
· NGO Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities (NGO-FONIN)
NFDIN is a state institution founded in 2002, with the responsibility of economic, social and cultural development of the INs, as an effort of the government to bring the INs into the national development mainstream. NEFIN and NIWF, both are federations of INs - specific organizations of the enlisted 59 groups, and by legal status, are both NGOs. NEFIN, as a federation, is responsible for the preservation and promotion of the distinct social, political, cultural and linguistic identity of peoples, and also for enhancing the inclusion of INs in the national development process.
As a separate organization, NIWF looks after the specific issues of indigenous women to ensure their rights for equal participation in the national development process. Of these organizations, NFDIN, being a state institution, is bound to carry out policies related with INs in the government perspective, confined to working for the 59 enlisted groups, and the other two (NEFIN and NIWF) are also confined to working for the 59 enlisted groups. All three groups have the same practice to exclude un-enlisted INs groups. NGO-FONIN, on the other hand, is open to all groups, regardless of their identity or recognition by the government.
This leaves a large number of INs groups in want of recognition. The act of non-recognition of un-enlisted INs groups in itself has become an additional discrimination meted by the State. This however represents only a part, and not the whole of INs who are under multi-folded discriminations within the country.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is an autonomous, constitutional body. Civil society organisations such as INHURED, INSEC, CWIN, and NNIW, NIWF, NEFIN, LAHURNIP, among others, are working for the promotion and protection of Human Rights. CWIN is concerned with child rights whereas NNIW and NIWF are concerned with indigenous women's issues. NEFIN is concern with INs issues in general. INs representation is nominal in NHRC.
NGO-FONIN intends to take on the issues facing INs that others ignore, but is facing a legacy of problems:
· Lack of awareness amongst INs in regards to their rights.
· Lack of coordination between groups.
· Disrespect of national and international laws by the state.
· Inappropriate and inadequate policies that deal with INs issues.
· Lack of participation of INs at decision-making levels.
· The domination of one elite group in political, economic and state affairs.
· Lack of authentic data on INs and their specific issues.
In addition to the above list, the pervasiveness of different political ideologies among INs is such that it has divided INs into factions. One faction regards society as having only one identity or "class" that is based on their socio-economic conditions and a society does not have diverse identities based on caste, race, language, and culture at all. This catchy ideology is rapidly gaining popularity among INs and other excluded or marginalised groups who are not aware of their real identity, due in part to the assimilation process over the past decades. This stance stands in opposition to NGO-FONIN objectives and to INs right to self-determination.
Complicating matters even more, many development agencies are not aware of this rift in society and wonder why the scanty resources poured into the development of INs have not brought about a change. Some agencies cannot even work with INs - as these groups are not defined and thus do not meet agency standards. This misunderstanding between ideologues accounts for many INs being pushed aside by donors.
However, NGO-FONIN has withstood these crucial struggles, and despite the unfavourable situation NGO-FONIN has equipped itself with skills, resources, and infrastructure using grass-roots techniques, and is now prepared for future development activities. NGO-FONIN intends to create a separate "stream" of development activities that will prevent INs identity from being assimilated. It intends to work in close collaboration and coordination with all concerned, and is already stepping-up policy advocacy a notch.
Since policy lapses and social/political practices seem to be the main hurdles in promoting human rights of INs, NGO-FONIN will focus on specific policies for improving the lives of indigenous women and children. Today, the generalized policies and programs are influenced by the social practices and attitudes of the elite group. This has a direct bearing on the conditions of indigenous women and children. The great number of street children in Nepal and an even greater number of girls being trafficked for sex and drugs are from indigenous groups. The Convention on the Right of Child and the rights to reproductive health of women is being ignored, so there is a need for a more proactive approach to be taken by the government to uphold the spirit of national and international laws but since a limited group of people have captured the social, economic and political power, the rest (INs, Dalits, women, disabled, etc.) do not have significant roles within the state apparatus (judiciary, legislative and executive branches), which means there is a lack of participation in the entire decision-making process. NGO-FONINs proactive approach to reverse this trend is further described in this strategic plan.
A.2 External Environmental Analysis
The impact of shifting government policy
Government policies for the social and development sectors have to be recognized as shaping factors for NGO-FONIN and all NGOs in Nepal. Government policy shifts may impede NGO functions as long as political simmering and an economic crisis continue. Since non-partisanship is not the norm for most NGOs in Nepal, any policy shifts that occur are usually disruptive to the development community as a whole.
NFDIN for example, is a government institution that must follow government policies in regards to INs. NGO-FONIN has to deal with NFDIN through policy advocacy and dialogue, and often NFDIN policies contradict NGO-FONIN objectives (INs rights). NEFIN, an NGO and federation of ethnicity specific organization of enlisted groups has long practised exclusion of its own groups - confining itself to 59 enlisted ones, yet also claims to be the “one” umbrella organization of INs in Nepal. The problem is that there are about the same number of INs who are yet to be recognized! Both the government and NEFIN have ignored these groups up until now. NGO-FONIN, who is not ignoring these un-recognized groups and is dealing with the reality of the situation, is also competing with NEFIN for scarce resources.
The “classless society” and the definition of “minority”
The political ideology advocating for a "classless society" is a considerable challenge for NGO-FONIN as well as for all INs. The existence of Indigenous Nationalities means the existence of "communities with diversity with distinct languages, cultures, traditional practices, traditional knowledge systems and customary laws, among others. People having this diversity are also entitled to special rights as guaranteed by the international instruments. The ideology of “classless society” does not accept this diversity.
And likewise, development agencies have another definition in regard to minorities. “Minority” is defined mostly by the extent in which there has been discrimination and domination of an elite group, of which INs may also be a part. If INs are to be treated as a minority only, their diversity will not be protected nor will be their special rights either, because minority groups as such do not have these special rights afforded. This means that both the ideology of “classless society” and the concept of “minority” held by developing agencies both encourage assimilation of INs and stand against diversity. This requires a persistent effort on NGO-FONINs part - by way of policy advocacy and dialogue - to prevail.
NGOs, IPOs and the International Indigenous Movement (IIM)
NGOs usually exist to represent a weaker section of society. But often the weaker sections of the society do not see this representation, as does the particular NGO. From the outside, society members see their representatives within NGOs serving their own interests. There is an absence of accountability. Comparatively, IPOs are seen as better serving their constituencies than NGOs. Within IPOs there is cultural cohesiveness among members. They often have more concern for their cultural identity, which in turn has made them vigilant about INs issues. However, there is absence of good governance fin most civil society organisations in Nepal.
The International Indigenous Movement (IIM) is gaining respect however. What shape this movement takes will be of great importance to the INs of Nepal, where the government and the political parties are neither responsive nor flexible. For example, the endorsement of land ownership for aborigines by the Australian Parliament, the creation of ethnicity-based rule in Mindanao/Cordillera in the Philippines, and the incorporation of all provisions of UNDRIP into the new constitution by the Bolivian government, are all outcomes of IIM having far-reaching effects on the movement worldwide.
The Nepali Government has ratified the ILO Convention 169 and implementation plans are in progress now. Also, UNDRIP 2007 has been ratified by the government. These are milestones for the INs movement in Nepal. However, during the current constitution-making process, there are signs that the new constitution may be unfavourable towards INs.
A.3 Rationale
With the establishment of NFDIN in 2002 under the Ministry of Local Development and followed by the formation of NEFIN as an umbrella organization of the enlisted Indigenous Nationalities, INs are now divided into two groups: one with the recognition and the other without recognition of their identity.
Both the NFDIN (a government institution) and NEFIN (an NGO), represent ethnicity-specific organizations that work for development and protection of the rights of INs by influencing policy makers in favour of IN issues, but are confined to only those groups that have government recognition. By function and responsibility, NFDIN is to carry out government policies in regards to INs. Political appointees or political party-supported nominees head NFDIN. They have confined themselves to work only for the enlisted groups (and government programs and budgets are all based on these numbers of enlisted groups). However, almost the same number of groups has been left out, and their economic, social, and cultural rights are being violated as they are being subjected to assimilation just to survive or compete, i.e. join another similar group that has been enlisted. For example, if a person from a non-enlisted group wants to apply for scholarship or other services, he or she has to have a certification from an enlisted ethnicity specific organization to become a legitimate contender. In the case of the Kirat group, one has to be certified as Rai despite his or her own distinct identity in order to be a legitimate contender for a scholarship.
In development activities run by NFDIN and NEFIN, political ideology seems to have over-run the free learning process of the communities and is limiting open participation in the system. On the other hand, development agencies are unaware of how many INs group members are without identity and that are being deprived of their rights to have access to state and other resources. After all, development agencies have been working only with the elite group of decision makers for many years. The need of an INs-focused program is thought to be crucial in order to expand the role of developing agencies. The formation of NGO-FONIN should be seen in this light.
NGO-FONIN was formally registered in 2004 with the Kathmandu District Administration, as a federation of IPOs and INs NGOs - regardless of whether a particular community had been recognized or not. To form a more representative INs organization and to facilitate all the issues of rights-based development of INs, it started with 11-member organizations. Prior to that, there was a forum called BAKULOCHANA (Bahing, Kulung, Lohorung, Chamling and Nachhiring) representing just 5 IPOs.
Nepal is a land of diverse Indigenous Nationalities. After the People's Movement in 1990, Indigenous People started to raise their voices about their basic rights. According to the 2001 census, there are 92 distinct languages spoken and 101 different ethnic groups in Nepal. Respecting the voice of the Indigenous People, the Government of Nepal formed a committee entitled National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) with the purpose of bringing Indigenous People into the mainstream development of the country. In 2002, NFDIN under the Ministry of Local Development listed 59 Indigenous Nationalities. This process divided Indigenous People into two groups. One of which was recognised and the other not, left without recognition of their identity.
In response, NGO-FONIN worked informally through a forum called BAKULOCHANA (a forum made from the following groups: Bahing, Kulung, Lohorung, Chamling and Nachhiring) and represented 5 unlisted Indigenous Peoples Organisation (IPOs). BAKULOCHANA intervened when the Government and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) started work on a project that would threaten the access rights of Indigenous People to natural resources. IUCN was working on the registration of bio-diversity and was against the provision of the Convention on Biodiversity, Article 8 (j), on Access and Benefit Sharing. The Government did not have a clear policy on the implementation of the Biodiversity Declaration. Instead, it had a draft Bill that was not registered with the House of Representatives. BAKULOCHANA seriously threatened the project and soon after, the project stopped. In order to respond to the government to have the rights of Indigenous Nationalities incorporated into the Bill, the National Environmental Coalition of Indigenous Nationalities (NECIN) was formed. BAKULOCHANA and NECIN had several rounds of talks with the Government and IUCN submitted amendments to the Bill to have the rights of Indigenous People to natural resources secured as provided for in the Convention on Biodiversity Declaration. This was a lesson learnt for BAKULOCHANA. NGO-FONIN was formed with the objective of making collective efforts for securing an assortment of rights of Indigenous Nationalities.
Though NGO-FONIN was formally established in 2004 (2060 BS), the affiliated member organisations, and particularly BAKULOCHANA, Society for People in Needs (SPIN), COSFONAD, Shristhi etc. were already working on INs issues since 2001 (2058 BS) collectively. After 2004, NGO-FONIN was linked with other national and international organisations and implementing various program activities in collaborations and partnerships.
During the past 5 years, NGO-FONIN has worked with Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) Foundation, Asian Peoples' Alliance for Combating HIV/AIDS (APACHA), DanidaHUGOU, UNDP and NFDIN. However, DanidaHUGOU, AIPP, UNDP are the major supporters of these programs. From 2006, "Janajati Empowerment and Inclusion Project (JEIP)" is being implemented at the central level as well as in 10 districts with the support of DanidaHUGOU. This project is a milestone for NGO-FONIN. The project has played a major role in the strengthening of NGO-FONIN, its member organizations, and district networks - together with raising the issues of INs to the forefront.
[1] Majhi, Siar, Lhomi, Thudam, Dhanuk, Chepang, Satar/Santhal, Jhagad, Thami, Bote, Danuwar and Baramu
[2] Kusunda, Bankariya, Raute, Surel, Hayu, Raji, Kisan, Lepcha, Meche and Kusbadia
NGO-FONIN believes in the following values:
Mutual respect and understanding: respect for and understanding of each other as peoples engaged in a collective effort.
Equitability and Impartiality: treat each group on the basis of the principle of equity and impartiality without biases based on personal relations.
Participation and Transparency: in all aspects of the decision-making processes affecting INs way-of-life, whereas to value transparency over ad hoc decision-making practices and processes.
Partnership and Cooperation: partnership on equal footing (with mutual respect) regardless of group identity, valuing collective efforts and equally partnering between both “odd and even” groups.
Sincerity: a true commitment to the organization - and to any mission to be carried out.
Self-critical: a realization of one’s own positive and negative contribution to the fulfilment of any mission, and a commitment to looking at mistakes as learning.
Full Respect for Human Rights: to undertake only in development activities that respect human rights.
A.5 Capacity
Since various program activities have been implemented, NGO-FONIN, its member organizations, its network members have gained experiences in both management and program field. Some of the major achievements from the implementation of various program activities are:
1) An increase in membership, now 75 member organizations from 13.
2) Improvements in organizational systems and practices (policies, guidelines, rules/regulations).
3) Human resources development.
4) Establishment and mobilization of networks in 11 districts.
5) Better clarity on issues and strategies within NGO-FONIN and with its members.
6) More involvement in advocacy activities on various issues related to INs. Particularly, NGO-FONIN is now involved in such advocacy issues as: CA and representation, enlistment of INs who are yet to be recognized by the government; implementation of ILO convention 169; access to resources and good governance; and issues pertaining to biodiversity, languages and cultures. Similarly, NGO-FONIN has established and maintained relationships with various national and international organizations.
Similarly, from the implementation of various program activities, various learning experiences were gained by NGO-FONIN and the collaborative organizations. Specifically, the experiences gained were:
1) Organizational work experiences & capacity enhancement through system improvements
2) Clarity on issues and strategies.
3) An opportunity to reach the grass-root community through district networks, which helped surface issues and problems, as well as aspirations.
On the basis of lessons learnt during the implementation of program/activities, NGO-FONIN has reviewed and updated its Strategic 5-Year Plan. It has learnt that although the organization has initiated people-empowerment and policy influencing activities, in the context of the INs situation, these initiations are very primitive steps. For objective and sustaining results, there is a need for more effort – specifically in these areas:
(1) Local-level programs, which have been implemented through networks, are gathering momentum, if the networks could be strengthened and mobilized properly, programs would be run more efficiently.
(2) Developing and mobilization of local organization is the right way of empowering local INs. By the establishment of organizations managed by INs, they will have an opportunity to develop their management skills as well as leadership capacity, which will lead to sustainable development.
(3) The proper coordination and relationship building creates a collaborative working environment. So a priority should be given to better coordination, cooperation with women, Dalits and like-minded organizations, as well as government line agencies.
(4) Since the majority of INs are not aware about their rights and evolving INs movement at the national and international levels and they are not aware of national and international legal provisions, treaties, and conventions, there is a dire need of awareness program activities.
(5) The CA is an opportunity for INs to write the constitution in their favour and make an environment appropriate for their development but needs to make a better effort by coordinating with different INs groups, organizations and other like-minded organizations.
NGO-FONIN has learnt many things and gained much experience in terms of clarity on issues, working strategies, management aspects through the implementation of various program activities. NGO-FONIN has also learnt more from members, partners and other organisations and institutions through meetings and interactions, as well as receiving numerous comments and feedbacks.
Together with a significant increase in membership, there is a high expectation from member organizations as well. As INs organizations have no access to resources, the member organizations are expecting funding resources. There is a strong need for NGO-FONIN to link its member organizations with supporters so that together capacities can be enhanced.
In brief, NGO-FONIN has the following strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats:
Strengths
· An umbrella organization of INs (75 members) with legal entity.
· Established office that is reasonably equipped with furniture and fixtures, as well as a competent staff.
· NGO-FONIN is a system-based operation - financial policy, personnel policy, good governance policy, monitoring and evaluation guidelines, etc.
· NGO-FONIN partakes in long-term strategic planning.
· NGO-FONIN has experience in policy advocacy, research work, & program management.
· There is an elected board as well as volunteers.
· There are district-level networks already established.
Weaknesses
· Inadequate human resources.
· Lack of collaborative approach between members and stakeholders.
· Indifference to INs issues, even within NGO-FONIN.
· Lack of practice in INs system-based operations.
· Lack of a non-debatable INs leader.
Opportunities
· INs rights are the prominent issue, so there is ample opportunity for work.
· To see social inclusion as central agenda for government and with other key players involved in the re-development of Nepal.
· Opportunity to revive INs traditional systems.
· Opportunity to develop professionalism among INs organizations.
· Opportunity to spark donors and other supporters’ interests.
Threats
· Instable political situation.
· Increase in partisan politics.
· Overly high expectations with INs communities.
· Dwindling leadership between INs.
NGO-FONIN is an umbrella organization formed and headed by diverse groups of people having years of experience in social development works at national and international levels and in different capacities. Similarly, many of the member organizations are well experienced working in development field, which are able to handle the program activities on their own. The federation has a small management team with six staff to carry out day-to-day manage functions.
NGO-FONIN believes that participation of the marginalized groups in the development process can bring change in their socioeconomic status. Accordingly, NGO-FONIN is implementing the program activities with the direct involvement of the target groups.
Specifically, member organisations, networks, and local organisations are mobilised to support the communities in their own empowerment process. NGO-FONIN will play the role of facilitator to create an appropriate environment and opportunities for these groups. While playing this role, NGO-FONIN will maintain mutual understandings and coordination with other organisations having similar objectives. Before implementing any program, NGO-FONIN will facilitate target groups involvement in a situational study, analysis, and planning process. Similarly, NGO-FONIN will make efforts to help the INs and target groups in their development and welfare by closely working together with the responsible authorities, NGOs, and Development Action Societies (DAs). In doing so, NGO-FONIN will maintain a small team of staff with experts - based on the needs of the people, which will support all in enhancing their capacity and know how.
A.6 Vision, mission, objectives and strategies
Vision
An inclusive Nepal free of discrimination based on ethnicity.
Mission
All Indigenous Nationalities of Nepal are enjoying their individual and collective rights through the processes of empowerment and promotion of social inclusion.
Goal (Development objective or long-term objective)
All Indigenous Nationalities of Nepal fully understand their individual and collective rights and are claiming those rights.
Immediate Objectives
1 To facilitate the institutional development of NGO-FONIN and its member organisations to enable them to achieve their organisational visions, missions and objectives.
2 To ensure the civil, political, socioeconomic and cultural rights of all Indigenous Nationalities and to enhance their participation at all levels of state affairs.
3 To improve the livelihoods men and women from Indigenous Nationalities by enabling them to access resources, services and opportunities
4 To protect and promote bio-diversity and indigenous knowledge and cultural systems related to the development of Indigenous Peoples.
A.7 Resource and Sustainability Issues
NGO-FONIN is a federation of organizations run by Indigenous Peoples. Accordingly the federation's financial sustainability depends on the sustainability of her member organizations. With that said, a stable income strategy and sustainability plan is critical.
NGO-FONIN will strive to strengthen organizational capacity (including its member organizations) and its networks, so that resource generation is possible at each level. Efforts will be made to mobilise local resources, as well as securing access to government resources, which can support programs in a sustainable way. Similarly, the federation will make effort to work with international organisations, and donor agencies for core funding (long-term program support funding). For this, NGO-FONIN will coordinate and dialogue with potential supporters.
Income strategy plan highlights
· As a member-based organization, NGO-FONIN collects membership fees from its members as well as other contributions as based on ability.
· NGO-FONIN strategy is to mobilize local resources. It will enable its member organizations and local alliances to link with local government and other agencies for resources – allowing them to run activities on their own.
· Negotiate with the government to receive part of budget allocation for INs development in the country.
· Linkages and coordination will be made with national and international donor agencies for their support of NGO-FONIN programs.
· Resources are generated by establishing training centres at different districts & places that provide fee-based training. These trainings focus on multiple issues and themes concerning human-rights, development and social environment. NGO-FONIN will produce training materials on different subjects (also for fee) and contract out human resources to other development agencies and on other projects.
Sustainability plan highlights
Apart from regular budget monitoring of income and expenditure, NGO-FONIN will scrutinize its financial performance at the end of each year, and make this analysis transparent to the GA. Questions of financial sustainability will be put to the assembly in a participatory way, and subsequent decisions will be made that adopt appropriate policies and help achieve financial sustainability in the year to come. Efforts will be made to negotiate with the government to receive part of budget allocations for IN's development to help sustain activity.
A.8 Strategic Direction and Approach
Approaches
The matrix above provides a bird’s eye view of the strategic directions of NGO-FONIN. These directions, which are solidly linked to NGO-FONIN’s objectives, however, will materialise with the following approaches:
NGO-FONIN will “facilitate” the organisational development of its member organizations / networks / alliances and their mobilisation. This helps generate participation of communities at the grass-roots level when identifying their needs, planning actions and implementation of plans drawn. This will also help monitor community actions and evaluate participation during the programme management cycle.
As an umbrella organization assuming the role of "facilitator", NGO-FONIN focuses on the institutionalization process of its member organizations and networks, enabling them to mobilize their communities at the grass-roots level, and thus localise activities. INs issues that are addressed at the grass-roots level lend a clear understanding of the issues that these groups are faced with, and enable a dialogue with the leaders, line agencies and government.
NGO-FONIN selects its member organizations for affiliation and for forming networks on the basis of their objectives (INs HR & development) - a term we use here is 'like-minded' organizations.
To ensure the rights of INs and bring them into the mainstream of development, NGO-FONIN will take the following specific strategies:
1. In order to ensure the Rights of INs, NGO-FONIN will make collective efforts with its member organisations and alliances at local, regional and national levels. As mentioned earlier, where required these member organisations and alliances will be strengthened so as to enable them to effectively engage in empowerment and advocacy activities.
2. Help the marginalised indigenous nationalities to ensure their participation into development process by organising and supporting lobby and advocacy activities for influencing policy makers and implementers. Together with policy influencing, efforts will be made to improve living standard of indigenous communities by developing their knowledge, skills and attitude and linking them with the relevant and responsible authorities/government institutions.
3. Advocate and lobby for better accountability of government authorities who are responsible for the establishment of rights and proportional participation of marginalized indigenous peoples.
4. Carry out situational studies and analyses as well as develop appropriate strategies that get them implemented. In addition, to plan and implement programs with the marginalized groups for the proportional development of the indigenous peoples.
5. Maintain relationships and coordination with the government, NGOs, and DAs to secure the necessary assistance for development activities, and secure rights for indigenous peoples.
6. Take responsibility for effective monitoring and evaluation of member and partner organisations development activities.
7. In view of the experiences garnered by National Indigenous Women’s Federation (NIWF) in terms of empowerment rights of indigenous women, an effort will be made to implement many activities pertaining to the rights of indigenous women through NIWF.
8. Promote and protect bio-diversity and indigenous knowledge systems and cultures that are linked to the rights and development INs.
Presently, a total of 75 INs and INs NGOs are affiliated with NGO-FONIN and these are from 27 of the 75 districts in Nepal. Networks have been established in 11 districts: Ilam, Sunsari, Shakhuwashabha, Bhojpur, Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Sindhuli, Nawalparashi, Gorkha and Dolakha. During the next 5 years (2009-2013), NGO-FONIN will be linked to at list 60 districts with member organisations and will have established networks in at least 40 of these districts. Similarly three regional-level networks with regional offices will be established. Currently, out of 75 MOs, there are only 9 women member organizations. During the next 5 years, best efforts will be made towards narrowing the ratio of men and women organizations. To achieve this, awareness and empowerment activities for women will be launched.
B. Operational Plan
B.1 Goal and Objectives
Goal and Objectives are repeated from the Strategic Framework to show their logical linkage with the anticipated outputs and indicative activities to achieve these outputs
Goal (Development Objective or Long-term Objective)
All Indigenous Nationalities of Nepal understand their individual and collective rights and are claiming those rights.
Immediate Objectives
1 To facilitate the institutional development of NGO-FONIN and of its member organisations to enable them to achieve their organisational visions, missions and objectives.
2 To ensure the civil, political, socioeconomic and cultural rights of Indigenous Nationalities and to enhance their participation at all levels of state affairs.
3 To improve the livelihoods men and women from Indigenous Nationalities by enabling them to access resources, services and opportunities
4 To protect and promote bio-diversity and indigenous knowledge and cultural systems related to the development of Indigenous Peoples.
Indicators
· NGO-FONIN has successfully implemented its Institutional Development Plan as envisaged in its Strategic and Operational Plan and the number of NGO-FONIN member organisations engaging in empowerment and advocacy activities has increased from 10 to 30.
· Increased participation of Indigenous Nationalities in the socioeconomic and political processes
· Increased opportunities for Indigenous nationalities to foster their cultures
B.2 Outputs, Indicators and Indicative Activities
Output-1: NGO-FONIN and its member organisations are strengthened in terms of organizational skills[1], policies, structures, systems, procedures and good governance practices.
Indicators
· NGO-FONIN and at least 30 of its member organisations developed into popular, broad-based organisations with representation from NGOs working for the rights of Indigenous Nationalities at the local level.
· Strong documentation skills and effective reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems are in place in NGO-FONIN and in at least 30 member organisations (from the current 10).
· Improved organisational structures, policies, managerial/administrative procedures in place at NGO-FONION and at least 30 of its member organisations.
· There is a clear separation of powers between the Executive Board and the implementing staff both at NGO-FONIN and at least 30 of its member organisations.
· Board and staff members of NGO-FONIN and at least 30 of its member organizations have participated in a number of capacity-building measures in administrative and managerial (including financial administration and management) and in such substantive areas as social inclusion, human and indigenous peoples’ rights, rights-based approach to development, empowerment, advocacy and other areas mentioned in the Institutional Development Plan.
Indicative Activities
· Launching of institutional development activities as mentioned in the Institutional Development Plan.
· Further identification of OD and capacity building needs of member organisations and launching activities in these areas.
· Update of ethno-demographic data.
· Network building at the district level.
Output-2: Enhanced access of INs to resources, services and opportunities and to the decision-making process through political participation.
Indicators
· INs understand the importance of civil and political rights.
· INs are involved in various political parties.
· INs have acquired access to resources and the decision-making process.
Indicative Activities
· Organize alliance & network meetings to identify advocacy issues and better working methods at a national and district level.
· Have interaction and orientation with INs (Adibasi Janajati) organizations, and Indigenous Nationalities leaders on civil and political rights.
· Establish networks, alliances, and forums that are enabling for INs. Provide training to these alliances and networks on the rights of INs as provided under the existing domestic provisions and international human rights instruments.
· Provide training on organizational management, processes and procedures to the alliances and networks.
· Lobby with political parties and government leaders for expanding INs participation in decision-making process.
· Organize interactions and public hearings with INs (Adibasi Janajati people) on state restructuring, and collect their views and aspirations on this topic.
· Based on all of the above, organize interactions between INs and CA members belonging to these groups on state restructuring, so that shared understandings could be reached on issues pertaining to this important area.
Output-3: Domestic legal/policy provisions and the international conventions and treaties, including ILO convention 169, UNDRIP, UN Resolution 1325, Beijing +10, CEDAW, and the UN MDGs are being implemented, ensuring the rights of INs.
Indicators
· Government plans incorporate international laws and commitments including ILO Convention 169, and UNDRIP is in implementation.
· The new constitution is written based on the spirit of ILO Convention 169, UNDRIP, and other international conventions & treaties that address INs issues of institutionalized peace and harmony.
· The new constitution and legal provisions, state policies will have come into force ensuring INs rights.
· The Government ratifies the remaining international instruments regarding human rights and specifically regarding INs rights.
· The maximum number of IN organizations is consulted where partnerships are made with international donor agencies.
Indicative Activities
· Prepare a training manual on ILO Convention 169, UNDRIP, CEDAW, UNSCR 1325 and other instruments of human rights ratified by Nepal and not.
· Enhance the knowledge and skills (including TOT) of member organizations on ILO Convention 169 and UNDRIP along with CEDAW and UNSCR 1325.
· Encourage people awareness programs on ILO Convention 169, UNDRIP, and CEDAW, UNSCR 1325.
· See the formation of alliances & networks at the local, regional and national levels and making sure that civil-society organizations are working on the issues.
· Lobby & advocate the concerned authorities for the formulation of laws and policy as well as implementing ILO Convention 169, UNDRIP, and other international conventions & treaties.
· Lobby for protection, preservation and development of INs traditional knowledge, skills, and customary laws relating to biodiversity possessed by indigenous women.
· Publication of human rights instruments into simple Nepali language such as: ILO C. 169, UNDRIP, CEDAW, and UNSCR 1325.
· Production and transmission of audiovisual materials to share with the state and civil society on the rights of indigenous nationalities.
· Monitoring of policies, practices and reporting & sharing tools.
Output-4: NGO-FONIN has launched national and local level advocacy activities for the recognition of Indigenous women’s identity by the state, and for ensuring the rights of indigenous women.
Indicators
· Proposal submitted to amend the Interim Constitution submitted.
· Proposal submitted to incorporate the indigenous women’s issues in the new constitution
· Proposals discussed in the Constituent Assembly.
· Indigenous women’s issues included in the women’s movement in Nepal.
· Indigenous women’s issues addressed in government policy pronouncements
Indicative Activities
· Sensitize indigenous and non-indigenous women Constituent Assembly (CA) members on the issues of indigenous women of Nepal.
· Form a caucus of indigenous women CA members.
· Sensitize members of the CA draft committee, technical committee, women and children committee and other committees formed on the issues of indigenous women.
· Work in coordination with NEFIN and NFDIN for the development of a draft federal structure on the basis of ethnicity, regionalism, and linguistics together with the rights of self-determination.
· Organize consultative meetings, lobby & advocacy activities to ratify the draft federal structure prepared.
· Sensitize state policy makers, planners and civil society in general on indigenous women’s issues and problems.
Output-5: Reduction in multiple forms of violence, discrimination, inequalities and injustices faced by indigenous women within and outside the community.
Indicators
· A decrease in incidents of violence against women.
· Legislative Act and legal provisions in place to stop the violence and discrimination against women.
Indicative Activities
· To identify problems, collect data, study and analyses problems of conflict that affect women and children as well as organize an awareness raising-program on UNSCR 1325 in conflict-affected districts.
· Carry a study on the extent that the rights of indigenous women are being violated as well as to perform an analysis based on international, national, and local-level human rights violations.
· Lobby and advocate for a program for gender and ethnic rights of conflict affected women and children.
· Launch a legal treatment and consultancy program for the indigenous women who are victims of violence, discrimination, and injustices in 40 districts.
· Lobby and advocate, ensuring the right to justice and legal treatment - free from social and domestic violence - at both the local and national levels.
Output-6: The “endangered”[2] indigenous communities are organised and mobilised for their rights.
Indicators
· The endangered communities understand the situation of their communities vis-à-vis other communities
· Endangered communities begin to understand their rights and also begin to claim these rights
· Endangered communities enhance their access to resources, opportunities and services
Indicative Activities
· Organize meetings and workshops with the endangered community members regarding the organisational formation process.
· Establishment of women organizations (including registration at administration office, affiliation at the Social Welfare Council) of Raute, Kusunda, Kusbadiya, Raji, Lepcha, Kisan, Meche, Surel, Hayu and Bankariya groups.
· Organize and support on organizational development process of newly formed indigenous women organizations.
· Awareness raising activities on the rights of endangered groups
· Organize campaigns for the rights for the endangered groups.
Output-7: Improved livelihoods of Indigenous Nationalities through enhanced economic activities.
Indicators
· Income-generation organizations, networks, and alliances are established
· Increased access to productive resources and technologies
· Enhanced economic status
Indicative Activities
· Conduct a need assessment on INs economic activities.
· Explore alternatives to income generation and conduct a market study.
· Form economic groups, alliances, and networks.
· Generate income as per identified areas.
· Grow capacity (knowledge & skill development) thru activities.
· Lobby and advocate to policy makers so that appropriate policies are formulated and implemented.
Output-8: Biodiversity, agro-biodiversity and cultural resources protected and promoted from which INs are benefitting
Indicators
· NGO-FONIN and MO human resources have been trained and are engaged in protection and promotion of biodiversity at the community level
· Increasing number of Indigenous Nationalities understand the importance of protection of biodiversity
· Government brings policies and programmes on the protection and promotion of biodiversity as a result of advocacy activities carried out by NGO-FONIN and its member organisations
· Existing cultural practices that are conducive to biodiversity protection and conservation are further promoted as cultural resources.
· Community people are involved in protection and promotion of biodiversity, agro-biodiversity, bio-cultural knowledge and culturally important places.
Indicative Activities
· People awareness activities on biodiversity, agro-biodiversity, bio-cultural knowledge, and cultural resources
· Carry out research activities on biodiversity, agro-biodiversity, bio-cultural knowledge and cultural resources
· Develop human resource for holding educational campaigns on the issues.
· Lobby and advocate activities for formulating proper policies and execution
· Protection and promotional of biodiversity and cultural resources
[1] In substantive areas such as advocacy, social inclusion, gender, human rights, including indigenous rights, reporting, documentation, financial management, including financial administration and accounting, among others)
[2] Raute, Kusunda, Kusbadiya, Raji, Lepcha, Kisan, Meche, Surel, Hayu and Bankariya
Mutual respect and understanding: respect for and understanding of each other as peoples engaged in a collective effort.
Equitability and Impartiality: treat each group on the basis of the principle of equity and impartiality without biases based on personal relations.
Participation and Transparency: in all aspects of the decision-making processes affecting INs way-of-life, whereas to value transparency over ad hoc decision-making practices and processes.
Partnership and Cooperation: partnership on equal footing (with mutual respect) regardless of group identity, valuing collective efforts and equally partnering between both “odd and even” groups.
Sincerity: a true commitment to the organization - and to any mission to be carried out.
Self-critical: a realization of one’s own positive and negative contribution to the fulfilment of any mission, and a commitment to looking at mistakes as learning.
Full Respect for Human Rights: to undertake only in development activities that respect human rights.
A.5 Capacity
Since various program activities have been implemented, NGO-FONIN, its member organizations, its network members have gained experiences in both management and program field. Some of the major achievements from the implementation of various program activities are:
1) An increase in membership, now 75 member organizations from 13.
2) Improvements in organizational systems and practices (policies, guidelines, rules/regulations).
3) Human resources development.
4) Establishment and mobilization of networks in 11 districts.
5) Better clarity on issues and strategies within NGO-FONIN and with its members.
6) More involvement in advocacy activities on various issues related to INs. Particularly, NGO-FONIN is now involved in such advocacy issues as: CA and representation, enlistment of INs who are yet to be recognized by the government; implementation of ILO convention 169; access to resources and good governance; and issues pertaining to biodiversity, languages and cultures. Similarly, NGO-FONIN has established and maintained relationships with various national and international organizations.
Similarly, from the implementation of various program activities, various learning experiences were gained by NGO-FONIN and the collaborative organizations. Specifically, the experiences gained were:
1) Organizational work experiences & capacity enhancement through system improvements
2) Clarity on issues and strategies.
3) An opportunity to reach the grass-root community through district networks, which helped surface issues and problems, as well as aspirations.
On the basis of lessons learnt during the implementation of program/activities, NGO-FONIN has reviewed and updated its Strategic 5-Year Plan. It has learnt that although the organization has initiated people-empowerment and policy influencing activities, in the context of the INs situation, these initiations are very primitive steps. For objective and sustaining results, there is a need for more effort – specifically in these areas:
(1) Local-level programs, which have been implemented through networks, are gathering momentum, if the networks could be strengthened and mobilized properly, programs would be run more efficiently.
(2) Developing and mobilization of local organization is the right way of empowering local INs. By the establishment of organizations managed by INs, they will have an opportunity to develop their management skills as well as leadership capacity, which will lead to sustainable development.
(3) The proper coordination and relationship building creates a collaborative working environment. So a priority should be given to better coordination, cooperation with women, Dalits and like-minded organizations, as well as government line agencies.
(4) Since the majority of INs are not aware about their rights and evolving INs movement at the national and international levels and they are not aware of national and international legal provisions, treaties, and conventions, there is a dire need of awareness program activities.
(5) The CA is an opportunity for INs to write the constitution in their favour and make an environment appropriate for their development but needs to make a better effort by coordinating with different INs groups, organizations and other like-minded organizations.
NGO-FONIN has learnt many things and gained much experience in terms of clarity on issues, working strategies, management aspects through the implementation of various program activities. NGO-FONIN has also learnt more from members, partners and other organisations and institutions through meetings and interactions, as well as receiving numerous comments and feedbacks.
Together with a significant increase in membership, there is a high expectation from member organizations as well. As INs organizations have no access to resources, the member organizations are expecting funding resources. There is a strong need for NGO-FONIN to link its member organizations with supporters so that together capacities can be enhanced.
In brief, NGO-FONIN has the following strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats:
Strengths
· An umbrella organization of INs (75 members) with legal entity.
· Established office that is reasonably equipped with furniture and fixtures, as well as a competent staff.
· NGO-FONIN is a system-based operation - financial policy, personnel policy, good governance policy, monitoring and evaluation guidelines, etc.
· NGO-FONIN partakes in long-term strategic planning.
· NGO-FONIN has experience in policy advocacy, research work, & program management.
· There is an elected board as well as volunteers.
· There are district-level networks already established.
Weaknesses
· Inadequate human resources.
· Lack of collaborative approach between members and stakeholders.
· Indifference to INs issues, even within NGO-FONIN.
· Lack of practice in INs system-based operations.
· Lack of a non-debatable INs leader.
Opportunities
· INs rights are the prominent issue, so there is ample opportunity for work.
· To see social inclusion as central agenda for government and with other key players involved in the re-development of Nepal.
· Opportunity to revive INs traditional systems.
· Opportunity to develop professionalism among INs organizations.
· Opportunity to spark donors and other supporters’ interests.
Threats
· Instable political situation.
· Increase in partisan politics.
· Overly high expectations with INs communities.
· Dwindling leadership between INs.
NGO-FONIN is an umbrella organization formed and headed by diverse groups of people having years of experience in social development works at national and international levels and in different capacities. Similarly, many of the member organizations are well experienced working in development field, which are able to handle the program activities on their own. The federation has a small management team with six staff to carry out day-to-day manage functions.
NGO-FONIN believes that participation of the marginalized groups in the development process can bring change in their socioeconomic status. Accordingly, NGO-FONIN is implementing the program activities with the direct involvement of the target groups.
Specifically, member organisations, networks, and local organisations are mobilised to support the communities in their own empowerment process. NGO-FONIN will play the role of facilitator to create an appropriate environment and opportunities for these groups. While playing this role, NGO-FONIN will maintain mutual understandings and coordination with other organisations having similar objectives. Before implementing any program, NGO-FONIN will facilitate target groups involvement in a situational study, analysis, and planning process. Similarly, NGO-FONIN will make efforts to help the INs and target groups in their development and welfare by closely working together with the responsible authorities, NGOs, and Development Action Societies (DAs). In doing so, NGO-FONIN will maintain a small team of staff with experts - based on the needs of the people, which will support all in enhancing their capacity and know how.
A.6 Vision, mission, objectives and strategies
Vision
An inclusive Nepal free of discrimination based on ethnicity.
Mission
All Indigenous Nationalities of Nepal are enjoying their individual and collective rights through the processes of empowerment and promotion of social inclusion.
Goal (Development objective or long-term objective)
All Indigenous Nationalities of Nepal fully understand their individual and collective rights and are claiming those rights.
Immediate Objectives
1 To facilitate the institutional development of NGO-FONIN and its member organisations to enable them to achieve their organisational visions, missions and objectives.
2 To ensure the civil, political, socioeconomic and cultural rights of all Indigenous Nationalities and to enhance their participation at all levels of state affairs.
3 To improve the livelihoods men and women from Indigenous Nationalities by enabling them to access resources, services and opportunities
4 To protect and promote bio-diversity and indigenous knowledge and cultural systems related to the development of Indigenous Peoples.
A.7 Resource and Sustainability Issues
NGO-FONIN is a federation of organizations run by Indigenous Peoples. Accordingly the federation's financial sustainability depends on the sustainability of her member organizations. With that said, a stable income strategy and sustainability plan is critical.
NGO-FONIN will strive to strengthen organizational capacity (including its member organizations) and its networks, so that resource generation is possible at each level. Efforts will be made to mobilise local resources, as well as securing access to government resources, which can support programs in a sustainable way. Similarly, the federation will make effort to work with international organisations, and donor agencies for core funding (long-term program support funding). For this, NGO-FONIN will coordinate and dialogue with potential supporters.
Income strategy plan highlights
· As a member-based organization, NGO-FONIN collects membership fees from its members as well as other contributions as based on ability.
· NGO-FONIN strategy is to mobilize local resources. It will enable its member organizations and local alliances to link with local government and other agencies for resources – allowing them to run activities on their own.
· Negotiate with the government to receive part of budget allocation for INs development in the country.
· Linkages and coordination will be made with national and international donor agencies for their support of NGO-FONIN programs.
· Resources are generated by establishing training centres at different districts & places that provide fee-based training. These trainings focus on multiple issues and themes concerning human-rights, development and social environment. NGO-FONIN will produce training materials on different subjects (also for fee) and contract out human resources to other development agencies and on other projects.
Sustainability plan highlights
Apart from regular budget monitoring of income and expenditure, NGO-FONIN will scrutinize its financial performance at the end of each year, and make this analysis transparent to the GA. Questions of financial sustainability will be put to the assembly in a participatory way, and subsequent decisions will be made that adopt appropriate policies and help achieve financial sustainability in the year to come. Efforts will be made to negotiate with the government to receive part of budget allocations for IN's development to help sustain activity.
A.8 Strategic Direction and Approach
Approaches
The matrix above provides a bird’s eye view of the strategic directions of NGO-FONIN. These directions, which are solidly linked to NGO-FONIN’s objectives, however, will materialise with the following approaches:
NGO-FONIN will “facilitate” the organisational development of its member organizations / networks / alliances and their mobilisation. This helps generate participation of communities at the grass-roots level when identifying their needs, planning actions and implementation of plans drawn. This will also help monitor community actions and evaluate participation during the programme management cycle.
As an umbrella organization assuming the role of "facilitator", NGO-FONIN focuses on the institutionalization process of its member organizations and networks, enabling them to mobilize their communities at the grass-roots level, and thus localise activities. INs issues that are addressed at the grass-roots level lend a clear understanding of the issues that these groups are faced with, and enable a dialogue with the leaders, line agencies and government.
NGO-FONIN selects its member organizations for affiliation and for forming networks on the basis of their objectives (INs HR & development) - a term we use here is 'like-minded' organizations.
To ensure the rights of INs and bring them into the mainstream of development, NGO-FONIN will take the following specific strategies:
1. In order to ensure the Rights of INs, NGO-FONIN will make collective efforts with its member organisations and alliances at local, regional and national levels. As mentioned earlier, where required these member organisations and alliances will be strengthened so as to enable them to effectively engage in empowerment and advocacy activities.
2. Help the marginalised indigenous nationalities to ensure their participation into development process by organising and supporting lobby and advocacy activities for influencing policy makers and implementers. Together with policy influencing, efforts will be made to improve living standard of indigenous communities by developing their knowledge, skills and attitude and linking them with the relevant and responsible authorities/government institutions.
3. Advocate and lobby for better accountability of government authorities who are responsible for the establishment of rights and proportional participation of marginalized indigenous peoples.
4. Carry out situational studies and analyses as well as develop appropriate strategies that get them implemented. In addition, to plan and implement programs with the marginalized groups for the proportional development of the indigenous peoples.
5. Maintain relationships and coordination with the government, NGOs, and DAs to secure the necessary assistance for development activities, and secure rights for indigenous peoples.
6. Take responsibility for effective monitoring and evaluation of member and partner organisations development activities.
7. In view of the experiences garnered by National Indigenous Women’s Federation (NIWF) in terms of empowerment rights of indigenous women, an effort will be made to implement many activities pertaining to the rights of indigenous women through NIWF.
8. Promote and protect bio-diversity and indigenous knowledge systems and cultures that are linked to the rights and development INs.
Presently, a total of 75 INs and INs NGOs are affiliated with NGO-FONIN and these are from 27 of the 75 districts in Nepal. Networks have been established in 11 districts: Ilam, Sunsari, Shakhuwashabha, Bhojpur, Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Sindhuli, Nawalparashi, Gorkha and Dolakha. During the next 5 years (2009-2013), NGO-FONIN will be linked to at list 60 districts with member organisations and will have established networks in at least 40 of these districts. Similarly three regional-level networks with regional offices will be established. Currently, out of 75 MOs, there are only 9 women member organizations. During the next 5 years, best efforts will be made towards narrowing the ratio of men and women organizations. To achieve this, awareness and empowerment activities for women will be launched.
B. Operational Plan
B.1 Goal and Objectives
Goal and Objectives are repeated from the Strategic Framework to show their logical linkage with the anticipated outputs and indicative activities to achieve these outputs
Goal (Development Objective or Long-term Objective)
All Indigenous Nationalities of Nepal understand their individual and collective rights and are claiming those rights.
Immediate Objectives
1 To facilitate the institutional development of NGO-FONIN and of its member organisations to enable them to achieve their organisational visions, missions and objectives.
2 To ensure the civil, political, socioeconomic and cultural rights of Indigenous Nationalities and to enhance their participation at all levels of state affairs.
3 To improve the livelihoods men and women from Indigenous Nationalities by enabling them to access resources, services and opportunities
4 To protect and promote bio-diversity and indigenous knowledge and cultural systems related to the development of Indigenous Peoples.
Indicators
· NGO-FONIN has successfully implemented its Institutional Development Plan as envisaged in its Strategic and Operational Plan and the number of NGO-FONIN member organisations engaging in empowerment and advocacy activities has increased from 10 to 30.
· Increased participation of Indigenous Nationalities in the socioeconomic and political processes
· Increased opportunities for Indigenous nationalities to foster their cultures
B.2 Outputs, Indicators and Indicative Activities
Output-1: NGO-FONIN and its member organisations are strengthened in terms of organizational skills[1], policies, structures, systems, procedures and good governance practices.
Indicators
· NGO-FONIN and at least 30 of its member organisations developed into popular, broad-based organisations with representation from NGOs working for the rights of Indigenous Nationalities at the local level.
· Strong documentation skills and effective reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems are in place in NGO-FONIN and in at least 30 member organisations (from the current 10).
· Improved organisational structures, policies, managerial/administrative procedures in place at NGO-FONION and at least 30 of its member organisations.
· There is a clear separation of powers between the Executive Board and the implementing staff both at NGO-FONIN and at least 30 of its member organisations.
· Board and staff members of NGO-FONIN and at least 30 of its member organizations have participated in a number of capacity-building measures in administrative and managerial (including financial administration and management) and in such substantive areas as social inclusion, human and indigenous peoples’ rights, rights-based approach to development, empowerment, advocacy and other areas mentioned in the Institutional Development Plan.
Indicative Activities
· Launching of institutional development activities as mentioned in the Institutional Development Plan.
· Further identification of OD and capacity building needs of member organisations and launching activities in these areas.
· Update of ethno-demographic data.
· Network building at the district level.
Output-2: Enhanced access of INs to resources, services and opportunities and to the decision-making process through political participation.
Indicators
· INs understand the importance of civil and political rights.
· INs are involved in various political parties.
· INs have acquired access to resources and the decision-making process.
Indicative Activities
· Organize alliance & network meetings to identify advocacy issues and better working methods at a national and district level.
· Have interaction and orientation with INs (Adibasi Janajati) organizations, and Indigenous Nationalities leaders on civil and political rights.
· Establish networks, alliances, and forums that are enabling for INs. Provide training to these alliances and networks on the rights of INs as provided under the existing domestic provisions and international human rights instruments.
· Provide training on organizational management, processes and procedures to the alliances and networks.
· Lobby with political parties and government leaders for expanding INs participation in decision-making process.
· Organize interactions and public hearings with INs (Adibasi Janajati people) on state restructuring, and collect their views and aspirations on this topic.
· Based on all of the above, organize interactions between INs and CA members belonging to these groups on state restructuring, so that shared understandings could be reached on issues pertaining to this important area.
Output-3: Domestic legal/policy provisions and the international conventions and treaties, including ILO convention 169, UNDRIP, UN Resolution 1325, Beijing +10, CEDAW, and the UN MDGs are being implemented, ensuring the rights of INs.
Indicators
· Government plans incorporate international laws and commitments including ILO Convention 169, and UNDRIP is in implementation.
· The new constitution is written based on the spirit of ILO Convention 169, UNDRIP, and other international conventions & treaties that address INs issues of institutionalized peace and harmony.
· The new constitution and legal provisions, state policies will have come into force ensuring INs rights.
· The Government ratifies the remaining international instruments regarding human rights and specifically regarding INs rights.
· The maximum number of IN organizations is consulted where partnerships are made with international donor agencies.
Indicative Activities
· Prepare a training manual on ILO Convention 169, UNDRIP, CEDAW, UNSCR 1325 and other instruments of human rights ratified by Nepal and not.
· Enhance the knowledge and skills (including TOT) of member organizations on ILO Convention 169 and UNDRIP along with CEDAW and UNSCR 1325.
· Encourage people awareness programs on ILO Convention 169, UNDRIP, and CEDAW, UNSCR 1325.
· See the formation of alliances & networks at the local, regional and national levels and making sure that civil-society organizations are working on the issues.
· Lobby & advocate the concerned authorities for the formulation of laws and policy as well as implementing ILO Convention 169, UNDRIP, and other international conventions & treaties.
· Lobby for protection, preservation and development of INs traditional knowledge, skills, and customary laws relating to biodiversity possessed by indigenous women.
· Publication of human rights instruments into simple Nepali language such as: ILO C. 169, UNDRIP, CEDAW, and UNSCR 1325.
· Production and transmission of audiovisual materials to share with the state and civil society on the rights of indigenous nationalities.
· Monitoring of policies, practices and reporting & sharing tools.
Output-4: NGO-FONIN has launched national and local level advocacy activities for the recognition of Indigenous women’s identity by the state, and for ensuring the rights of indigenous women.
Indicators
· Proposal submitted to amend the Interim Constitution submitted.
· Proposal submitted to incorporate the indigenous women’s issues in the new constitution
· Proposals discussed in the Constituent Assembly.
· Indigenous women’s issues included in the women’s movement in Nepal.
· Indigenous women’s issues addressed in government policy pronouncements
Indicative Activities
· Sensitize indigenous and non-indigenous women Constituent Assembly (CA) members on the issues of indigenous women of Nepal.
· Form a caucus of indigenous women CA members.
· Sensitize members of the CA draft committee, technical committee, women and children committee and other committees formed on the issues of indigenous women.
· Work in coordination with NEFIN and NFDIN for the development of a draft federal structure on the basis of ethnicity, regionalism, and linguistics together with the rights of self-determination.
· Organize consultative meetings, lobby & advocacy activities to ratify the draft federal structure prepared.
· Sensitize state policy makers, planners and civil society in general on indigenous women’s issues and problems.
Output-5: Reduction in multiple forms of violence, discrimination, inequalities and injustices faced by indigenous women within and outside the community.
Indicators
· A decrease in incidents of violence against women.
· Legislative Act and legal provisions in place to stop the violence and discrimination against women.
Indicative Activities
· To identify problems, collect data, study and analyses problems of conflict that affect women and children as well as organize an awareness raising-program on UNSCR 1325 in conflict-affected districts.
· Carry a study on the extent that the rights of indigenous women are being violated as well as to perform an analysis based on international, national, and local-level human rights violations.
· Lobby and advocate for a program for gender and ethnic rights of conflict affected women and children.
· Launch a legal treatment and consultancy program for the indigenous women who are victims of violence, discrimination, and injustices in 40 districts.
· Lobby and advocate, ensuring the right to justice and legal treatment - free from social and domestic violence - at both the local and national levels.
Output-6: The “endangered”[2] indigenous communities are organised and mobilised for their rights.
Indicators
· The endangered communities understand the situation of their communities vis-à-vis other communities
· Endangered communities begin to understand their rights and also begin to claim these rights
· Endangered communities enhance their access to resources, opportunities and services
Indicative Activities
· Organize meetings and workshops with the endangered community members regarding the organisational formation process.
· Establishment of women organizations (including registration at administration office, affiliation at the Social Welfare Council) of Raute, Kusunda, Kusbadiya, Raji, Lepcha, Kisan, Meche, Surel, Hayu and Bankariya groups.
· Organize and support on organizational development process of newly formed indigenous women organizations.
· Awareness raising activities on the rights of endangered groups
· Organize campaigns for the rights for the endangered groups.
Output-7: Improved livelihoods of Indigenous Nationalities through enhanced economic activities.
Indicators
· Income-generation organizations, networks, and alliances are established
· Increased access to productive resources and technologies
· Enhanced economic status
Indicative Activities
· Conduct a need assessment on INs economic activities.
· Explore alternatives to income generation and conduct a market study.
· Form economic groups, alliances, and networks.
· Generate income as per identified areas.
· Grow capacity (knowledge & skill development) thru activities.
· Lobby and advocate to policy makers so that appropriate policies are formulated and implemented.
Output-8: Biodiversity, agro-biodiversity and cultural resources protected and promoted from which INs are benefitting
Indicators
· NGO-FONIN and MO human resources have been trained and are engaged in protection and promotion of biodiversity at the community level
· Increasing number of Indigenous Nationalities understand the importance of protection of biodiversity
· Government brings policies and programmes on the protection and promotion of biodiversity as a result of advocacy activities carried out by NGO-FONIN and its member organisations
· Existing cultural practices that are conducive to biodiversity protection and conservation are further promoted as cultural resources.
· Community people are involved in protection and promotion of biodiversity, agro-biodiversity, bio-cultural knowledge and culturally important places.
Indicative Activities
· People awareness activities on biodiversity, agro-biodiversity, bio-cultural knowledge, and cultural resources
· Carry out research activities on biodiversity, agro-biodiversity, bio-cultural knowledge and cultural resources
· Develop human resource for holding educational campaigns on the issues.
· Lobby and advocate activities for formulating proper policies and execution
· Protection and promotional of biodiversity and cultural resources
[1] In substantive areas such as advocacy, social inclusion, gender, human rights, including indigenous rights, reporting, documentation, financial management, including financial administration and accounting, among others)
[2] Raute, Kusunda, Kusbadiya, Raji, Lepcha, Kisan, Meche, Surel, Hayu and Bankariya
The General Assembly (GA)
The General Assembly (GA), composed of the general members, is the supreme body of the organization. All major policy decisions are made by the General Assembly and the GA meets at least once a year. Decisions in the General Assembly are made on the basis of consensus or majority votes. Attendance of at least 51% of the general members will be the required quorum for conducting the General Assembly. The chairperson of the Board of Directors will chair the General Assembly.
The Central Committee (EC)
The central committee (Executive Committee) is formed through election from among the representatives of member organizations. Elections are convened once every three years by convention. The present central committee consists of 17 members and is headed by the chairperson. It meets every 3 months. Since travel to meetings is prohibitive for some members, a secretariat is set up consisting of a member group, which meets at least once a month or more (if necessary) to discuss urgent matters and to make urgent decisions. The decisions taken by the secretariat are put up in the quarterly meetings of the committee for final approval. The central committee makes decisions regarding operations and programmes of NGO-FONIN in line with the policy guidance provided by the general assembly. On behalf of the central committee, the secretariat closely monitors the implementation of programme activities being carried out by the staff members under the executive director. Beside the secretariat, the NGO-FONIN has sub-committees and can constitute additional committees under the central committees as and when necessary.
Management Functions
An administrative unit heads the overall program management function of the organisation and is led by the Executive Director (ED). The ED is responsible for implementing the decisions made by the general assembly and the central committee and is also responsible for implementing the approved plans and programmes of the organisation. The ED makes decisions regarding day-to-day administrative functions - i.e. standard procedures of the office (SPOs) as well as implementation of the programme activities in accordance with the guidance of policy decisions of the GA and the EC. The ED makes such decisions in consultation with the “in-charges” of the departments and programmes of the organisation.
A management committee under the leadership of the ED makes decisions regarding the management issues of office, staff, and programme management personnel. This management committee is composed of the ED and In-Charge of programmes, finance, and administration.
Departments
With the aim of supporting and systematising programs, NGO-FONIN has different departments headed by respective experts. The departments are managed by staff members with experience and expertise on the respective subjects. However, this departmentalisation is a relatively new development within NGO-FONIN and some departments, particularly the one pertaining to women and children will have to be fully functional with needed staffing and logistics support. After the department becomes fully functional, the staff will guide and support the organisational program activities in terms of planning, organising, implementing, monitoring and making suggestions for appropriate policy formulation and effective management of these departments. The departments are as follows:
(1) Program planning and implementation
(2) Financial management
(3) Human resource and organisation development
(4) Information and communication,
(5) Women and children
(6) Human rights and advocacy
(7) Monitoring, evaluation and research.
Staff
There will be 17 staff by the end of this Strategic Plan period. NGO-FONIN will have department heads (managers/coordinators), issue leaders/advocacy officer, program officers, finance and admin officer, and program support staff. NGO-FONIN intends to have a gender target of 50:50 when recruiting personnel. For more information on staffing, see C. Institutional development Plan.
B.6 Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) will be carried out to maximize our performance and use of resources. The Program Planning & Monitoring department will handle this activity.
A participatory monitoring process will be adopted for each program activity, in which the implementer, beneficiaries and any concerned authorities will be involved in that process. A broad review and reflection will be made on the implementation of program activities, and best practices found will be replicated. An overall program review will be made the Program Coordinator. Similarly, a mass auditing (social audit) will also be held annually. A detailed review and reflection will be made during the audit. The beneficiaries, collaborating organizations, concerned authorities, and like-minded parties will be invited to participate in the social auditing.
A program progress report will be produced mid-year and annually. These reports will include reflections, a report on the program implementation process, any learning’s and future recommendations. The annual report will also be shared with responsible authorities, like-minded organizations, and right-holders.
The General Assembly (GA), composed of the general members, is the supreme body of the organization. All major policy decisions are made by the General Assembly and the GA meets at least once a year. Decisions in the General Assembly are made on the basis of consensus or majority votes. Attendance of at least 51% of the general members will be the required quorum for conducting the General Assembly. The chairperson of the Board of Directors will chair the General Assembly.
The Central Committee (EC)
The central committee (Executive Committee) is formed through election from among the representatives of member organizations. Elections are convened once every three years by convention. The present central committee consists of 17 members and is headed by the chairperson. It meets every 3 months. Since travel to meetings is prohibitive for some members, a secretariat is set up consisting of a member group, which meets at least once a month or more (if necessary) to discuss urgent matters and to make urgent decisions. The decisions taken by the secretariat are put up in the quarterly meetings of the committee for final approval. The central committee makes decisions regarding operations and programmes of NGO-FONIN in line with the policy guidance provided by the general assembly. On behalf of the central committee, the secretariat closely monitors the implementation of programme activities being carried out by the staff members under the executive director. Beside the secretariat, the NGO-FONIN has sub-committees and can constitute additional committees under the central committees as and when necessary.
Management Functions
An administrative unit heads the overall program management function of the organisation and is led by the Executive Director (ED). The ED is responsible for implementing the decisions made by the general assembly and the central committee and is also responsible for implementing the approved plans and programmes of the organisation. The ED makes decisions regarding day-to-day administrative functions - i.e. standard procedures of the office (SPOs) as well as implementation of the programme activities in accordance with the guidance of policy decisions of the GA and the EC. The ED makes such decisions in consultation with the “in-charges” of the departments and programmes of the organisation.
A management committee under the leadership of the ED makes decisions regarding the management issues of office, staff, and programme management personnel. This management committee is composed of the ED and In-Charge of programmes, finance, and administration.
Departments
With the aim of supporting and systematising programs, NGO-FONIN has different departments headed by respective experts. The departments are managed by staff members with experience and expertise on the respective subjects. However, this departmentalisation is a relatively new development within NGO-FONIN and some departments, particularly the one pertaining to women and children will have to be fully functional with needed staffing and logistics support. After the department becomes fully functional, the staff will guide and support the organisational program activities in terms of planning, organising, implementing, monitoring and making suggestions for appropriate policy formulation and effective management of these departments. The departments are as follows:
(1) Program planning and implementation
(2) Financial management
(3) Human resource and organisation development
(4) Information and communication,
(5) Women and children
(6) Human rights and advocacy
(7) Monitoring, evaluation and research.
Staff
There will be 17 staff by the end of this Strategic Plan period. NGO-FONIN will have department heads (managers/coordinators), issue leaders/advocacy officer, program officers, finance and admin officer, and program support staff. NGO-FONIN intends to have a gender target of 50:50 when recruiting personnel. For more information on staffing, see C. Institutional development Plan.
B.6 Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) will be carried out to maximize our performance and use of resources. The Program Planning & Monitoring department will handle this activity.
A participatory monitoring process will be adopted for each program activity, in which the implementer, beneficiaries and any concerned authorities will be involved in that process. A broad review and reflection will be made on the implementation of program activities, and best practices found will be replicated. An overall program review will be made the Program Coordinator. Similarly, a mass auditing (social audit) will also be held annually. A detailed review and reflection will be made during the audit. The beneficiaries, collaborating organizations, concerned authorities, and like-minded parties will be invited to participate in the social auditing.
A program progress report will be produced mid-year and annually. These reports will include reflections, a report on the program implementation process, any learning’s and future recommendations. The annual report will also be shared with responsible authorities, like-minded organizations, and right-holders.
C. Institutional Development Plan
The Institutional Development Plan is a major part of our overall strategic plan. NGO-FONIN is, from very beginning, developing policies and procedures that lead us toward systemisation and cohesive institutionalisation. Also, since human resource is a major factor in achieving our organisational goals, we are paying close attention to recruiting and developing competitive human resources. We are focusing on enhancing the capacity of existing human resources, to include board members, member organizations, and staff in networks. Workers with INs status are taking part in development process for the first time, presenting new human resource challenges, and similarly, the majority of member organizations lack experience and are first time participants in a development process. So NGO-FONIN has a strategy of targeting people in their development process and by helping them act for themselves. This ensures that these targeted workers gain valuable experience.
NGO-FONIN will help the INs and target groups by closely working together with the responsible authorities, NGOs, and DAs. NGO-FONIN will maintain a small team of staff with experts who will support the “endangered” indigenous groups and member organisations by enhancing their capacity and know how. Our plan for the next 5 years is to have a total of 17 staff, which will start with 10 staff in 2009, 16 in 2010, and 17 will be on board from 2011 onwards.
The Institutional Development Plan is a major part of our overall strategic plan. NGO-FONIN is, from very beginning, developing policies and procedures that lead us toward systemisation and cohesive institutionalisation. Also, since human resource is a major factor in achieving our organisational goals, we are paying close attention to recruiting and developing competitive human resources. We are focusing on enhancing the capacity of existing human resources, to include board members, member organizations, and staff in networks. Workers with INs status are taking part in development process for the first time, presenting new human resource challenges, and similarly, the majority of member organizations lack experience and are first time participants in a development process. So NGO-FONIN has a strategy of targeting people in their development process and by helping them act for themselves. This ensures that these targeted workers gain valuable experience.
NGO-FONIN will help the INs and target groups by closely working together with the responsible authorities, NGOs, and DAs. NGO-FONIN will maintain a small team of staff with experts who will support the “endangered” indigenous groups and member organisations by enhancing their capacity and know how. Our plan for the next 5 years is to have a total of 17 staff, which will start with 10 staff in 2009, 16 in 2010, and 17 will be on board from 2011 onwards.
NGO-FONIN and its member organizations have a number of key strengths with a strong commitment to INs causes. But commitment alone is not sufficient to achieve the goals of the organisation. There needs to be clear policies, procedures, including plans with roadmaps of how NGO-FONIN and each member organisation will achieve its goals. The following is included to demonstrate that NGO-FONIN has such roadmaps:
Under the institutional development plan, NGO-FONIN will have both organizational development and capacity enhancement activities. For enhancing our organisational systems, we will develop policies, procedures, & guidelines. Various trainings and workshops will be held as needed. Areas of need will be determined through an operational development assessment. Efforts will be made to acquire both national and international levels of training and exposure.
Though NGO-FONIN has been organising various training, workshop exercises, there are many new organisations that need to enhance their knowledge and skill levels. These training & exposure activities will continue. Leadership training with other required knowledge and skill sets is key to the future of NGO-FONIN, MOs, and networks.
Development comes from being able to explore new ideas so it is important that external trainers and subject-matter experts deliver trainings. Exposure visits to observe best practice and success stories in other organizations will be organised. NGO-FONIN and MOs need to raise funds for this activity. This requires our organization to be credible with donors, and here in comes the importance of good governance, sound financial management, good day-to-day management and excellent planning and program implementation that include M&E.
To achieve our organisational goals of developing appropriate plans and guidelines and to ensuring all appropriate staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct effective management, we have planned to build the capacity of our staff. Since employee satisfaction is recognized to be the single biggest contributor to overall organizational performance and staff involvement & participation, NGO-FONIN will strive to develop a participatory culture as well as provide staff opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills.
Details of the short and medium-term institutional development activities are presented in the following table.
Under the institutional development plan, NGO-FONIN will have both organizational development and capacity enhancement activities. For enhancing our organisational systems, we will develop policies, procedures, & guidelines. Various trainings and workshops will be held as needed. Areas of need will be determined through an operational development assessment. Efforts will be made to acquire both national and international levels of training and exposure.
Though NGO-FONIN has been organising various training, workshop exercises, there are many new organisations that need to enhance their knowledge and skill levels. These training & exposure activities will continue. Leadership training with other required knowledge and skill sets is key to the future of NGO-FONIN, MOs, and networks.
Development comes from being able to explore new ideas so it is important that external trainers and subject-matter experts deliver trainings. Exposure visits to observe best practice and success stories in other organizations will be organised. NGO-FONIN and MOs need to raise funds for this activity. This requires our organization to be credible with donors, and here in comes the importance of good governance, sound financial management, good day-to-day management and excellent planning and program implementation that include M&E.
To achieve our organisational goals of developing appropriate plans and guidelines and to ensuring all appropriate staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct effective management, we have planned to build the capacity of our staff. Since employee satisfaction is recognized to be the single biggest contributor to overall organizational performance and staff involvement & participation, NGO-FONIN will strive to develop a participatory culture as well as provide staff opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills.
Details of the short and medium-term institutional development activities are presented in the following table.
ANNUAL WORK PLAN AND BUDGET
1. Introduction/Background/Context
This Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWAB) of NGO-Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities (NGO-FONIN) is for the period of 17 Ashadh 2066 to 32 Ashadh 2067 (1 July 2009 – 16 July 2010). The AWAB is part of NGO-FONIN's Strategic and Operational Plan (StOP). This is developed as a tool to implement the activities outlined in the StOP on a yearly basis. As a blueprint of NGO-FONIN for the next five years, the StOP is the base for developing AWAB. AWAB also provides means of monitoring quantitative and financial achievements against NGO-FONIN’s specific targets and taking necessary corrective measures. AWAB is a management tool and control mechanism to be used for guiding prudent resource allocation and management and for timely execution of the activities.
In the process of developing the AWAB, NGO-FONIN Board and staff discussed the plan and current issues and priorities. The plan also incorporated the recommendations of the ODC Institutional Assessment report on NGO-FONIN. Since this is the first and transitional year for implementing the StOP, the AWAB is prepared for twelve and a half months starting from 17 Ashadh 2066 and ending on 32 Ashadh 2067 (July 1, 2009 - July 16, 2010). Therefore, this AWAB consists of four quarters in which the first quarter will be of three and a half months. The Fiscal Year (FY) for NGO-FONIN will be Nepali FY that starts from 1st Shrawan and ends with Ashadh every year of Nepali calendar.
The AWAB has also incorporated the activities and budgets of some ongoing program activities of NGO-FONIN funded by other international partner organizations. AWAB being a dynamic document, NGO-FONIN will always be ready to address any challenges arising concerning its focus of work and incorporate corrective actions accordingly.
The following International partners have committed to support for the activities mentioned in the AWAB.
DanidaHUGOU and Action Aid Nepal (AAN) are NGO-FONIN's Strategic Partners. UNDP is an existing International Partner. ILO is an expected partner. Consultations are ongoing with many potential International Partners, including the Lutheran World Federation and International Labour Organisations, ESP/DFID and Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Pact (AIPP).
2. Expected Results/Outcomes
In order to provide a glimpse of the connection between the StOP and this AWAB the goal and objectives mentioned in the StOP are briefly mentioned below. The matrix in section 2 presents the details of the outputs and the results/outcomes to be achieved during the AWAB period.
Goal:
All Indigenous Nationalities of Nepal understand their individual and collective rights and will be claiming those rights
Objective-1: To facilitate institutional development of NGO-FONIN and of its member organisations to enable them to achieve their organisational visions, missions and objectives
Objective-2: To ensure the civil, political, socioeconomic and cultural rights of Indigenous Nationalities and to enhance their participation at all levels of state affairs
Objective-3: To improve the livelihood of men and women from Indigenous Nationalities by enabling them to have access to resources, services and opportunities
Objective-4: To protect and promote bio-diversity and indigenous knowledge and cultural systems related to the development of Indigenous Peoples.
The matrix below presents output level performance indicators as well as the activities to be implemented during this AWAB period.
In the process of developing the AWAB, NGO-FONIN Board and staff discussed the plan and current issues and priorities. The plan also incorporated the recommendations of the ODC Institutional Assessment report on NGO-FONIN. Since this is the first and transitional year for implementing the StOP, the AWAB is prepared for twelve and a half months starting from 17 Ashadh 2066 and ending on 32 Ashadh 2067 (July 1, 2009 - July 16, 2010). Therefore, this AWAB consists of four quarters in which the first quarter will be of three and a half months. The Fiscal Year (FY) for NGO-FONIN will be Nepali FY that starts from 1st Shrawan and ends with Ashadh every year of Nepali calendar.
The AWAB has also incorporated the activities and budgets of some ongoing program activities of NGO-FONIN funded by other international partner organizations. AWAB being a dynamic document, NGO-FONIN will always be ready to address any challenges arising concerning its focus of work and incorporate corrective actions accordingly.
The following International partners have committed to support for the activities mentioned in the AWAB.
DanidaHUGOU and Action Aid Nepal (AAN) are NGO-FONIN's Strategic Partners. UNDP is an existing International Partner. ILO is an expected partner. Consultations are ongoing with many potential International Partners, including the Lutheran World Federation and International Labour Organisations, ESP/DFID and Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Pact (AIPP).
2. Expected Results/Outcomes
In order to provide a glimpse of the connection between the StOP and this AWAB the goal and objectives mentioned in the StOP are briefly mentioned below. The matrix in section 2 presents the details of the outputs and the results/outcomes to be achieved during the AWAB period.
Goal:
All Indigenous Nationalities of Nepal understand their individual and collective rights and will be claiming those rights
Objective-1: To facilitate institutional development of NGO-FONIN and of its member organisations to enable them to achieve their organisational visions, missions and objectives
Objective-2: To ensure the civil, political, socioeconomic and cultural rights of Indigenous Nationalities and to enhance their participation at all levels of state affairs
Objective-3: To improve the livelihood of men and women from Indigenous Nationalities by enabling them to have access to resources, services and opportunities
Objective-4: To protect and promote bio-diversity and indigenous knowledge and cultural systems related to the development of Indigenous Peoples.
The matrix below presents output level performance indicators as well as the activities to be implemented during this AWAB period.
This annual progress report of NGO-FONIN intends to cover the past one year program activities of the year 2006/7 (2063/64). During the period, different program activates were undertaken through collaboration with its member organisations. This report has been prepared based on regular program monitoring, and consultations with NGO-FONIN team, member organizations, district networks. To make the report much in line with NGO-FONIN's program activities, outputs and findings of interactions have been placed as appropriately as possible and special attention given to reflections from members, district networks and communities, as well. The report has been presented in five parts that include executive summary of the whole program achievements.The Second Popular peoples' movement brought remarkable changes in the country in 2063. The movement has re-instated democracy by displacing the active monarch and Nepalese peoples have become sovereign. It has also succeeded in mainstreaming the rebellions (Maoist) group into national political mainstream.The daily unexpected Mass Meetings, Banda programs organized by political parties and interest groups are making the daily lives of general mass more complicated. Due to the political situation, economic condition of the country was also hampered. Similarly, global economy also affected the nation.Indigenous peoples are becoming conscious of their socio-political rights and coming into organizations to raise collective voice of rights. The landless people, Kamaiya, raised their voices for land rights. As Hindu religions observed different religious, cultures, festivals and functions and practices, the Nepalese Indigenous peoples also started to observe their festivals and cultural practices.As monsoon was started on time, agriculture production is found satisfactory this year. Prices of fuel oil, electricity, chemical fertilizers increased more as compared to farmers' products price, which caused negative effects on their agriculture products even the monsoon was timely.Programs and achievements:The year of 2063/64 was a very progressive year of NGO-FONIN. It succeeded to get access to resource first time. Agreement between DanidaHUGOU and NGO-FONIN has made possible for conducting Janajati Empowerment and Inclusion Project (JEIP), a 21 month project. The objective of the program is to mainstreaming of IPs in national development process. The program include 1) support in organisational development process of NGO-FONIN, its member organisations, 2) launch advocacy activities and 3) support in strengthening good governance.Organisational Development:NGO-FONIN conducted various activities under organisational development and capacity building aspects. The achievements made under organisational development can be classified as 1) Increase in size of the organisation, 2) human resource 3) physical facility 4) organisational system development and 5) capacity enhancement programs.Number of FONIN affiliated member organizations increased from 13 to 53. IPs are seen keen to be organised have established organisation and affiliated to NGO-FONIN. Office has been equipped with necessary furniture and equipments including communication facilities. From the year 2006 it has managed five regular staff for implementing its program activities. There are also part time staff and volunteers.Various activities were carried out under organisational system development as a) regular meeting, monitoring activities and b) Renewal of organisation c) Policy/guide line like good governance, financial policy; human resource policy, etc were developed. Similarly various workshops related to organisation development were organised. Publications like Adibasi Gunjan (bulletin), NGO-FONIN broachers were also published.Fiscal year 2063/64 can be taken as training year of NGO-FONIN. A lot of trainings on various fields were organised which has supported to enhance knowledge, and skills of NGO-FONIN members, staffs and member organisations. Financial management, rights based approach and advocacy, IPs' rights and human rights, leadership development, social inclusion, monitoring and evaluation, proposal writing, cooperative etc were major trainings conducted during the year. These events have supported the professional growth of the NGO-FONIN and its member organizations to be effective in program application and carry out the regular work. Likewise with aiming to learn from other organisations/programs, two exposure visits were organised for its members and staff, as well. Orientation on HIV/AIDS, Gender, Dalit issues and various sharing, were also organised.Programs:NGO-FONIN implemented various program activities during the fiscal year 2063/64. The program was focussed on indigenous peoples’ rights movement as indigenous people empowerment and policy influencing activities. Organisation development, establishing networks and enhancing their capacity were some of the major program activities under the empowerment and various interaction, workshops, demonstrations/ Advocacy campaigns were under policy influencing. Various awareness activities with IPs were organised at district level. By these awareness activities, the IPs are becoming aware about the cause of marginalization and their rights. Because of these awareness campaigns, district and village level IPs committees were formed and involved in their development activities.Before organising advocacy campaigns, NGO-FONIN had carried out issue identification activities and on the basis of issues, it had organised its advocacy campaigns. During the period, NGO-FONIN organised three different workshops on Issue Identification, which identified as 1) constituent assembly and establishment of federal democratic republic state, 2) enlistment of IPs those who were not enlisted under NFDIN act 2058, 3) issue of access to and control over resources, 4) ILO convention 169 as major issues.Various orientation and interaction on the issues were held with NGO-FONIN board members, staff, and member organisations before to held advocacy campaigns. Similarly, on the issues identified, various lobbies, interactions, demonstration activities were carried out with aiming to influencing respective authorities. Various interaction programs were organized on biodiversity and IPs right issues. Various IPs organizations, people, respective authorities, NGOs took part in the program. NGO-FONIN conducting "Aadivasi Gunjan" (i.e. voice of indigenous peoples) from Times F.M. from which various information about IPs right issues were aired. It is broadcasting news, information on indigenous peoples culture, religion, history and their situation and discussions on various issues of indigenous peoples. On the occasion of International Indigenous Peoples day, 9 August 2006, NGO-FONIN also organized a one day interaction program to observe the Day.NGO-FONIN has been implementing its program through partnership, network, alliances with its member organizations. It has given attention towards people organisation and their organisational development. Organisations were established at local and district level and efforts were made on establishing and enhancing of networks and alliance. As Janajati Empowerment and Inclusion Project (JEIP) has been implementing in 10 districts through 10 member organisations under the project major focus has been made on establishing and strengthening of district based IPs organisations network and organise advocacy campaigns for increasing of IPs access to resources. A total of 10 district networks have been established and various interaction and knowledge, skill sharing activities have been organised to enhance their capacity. Similarly, various lobby and advocacy campaigns are being organised by the networks.NGO-FONIN carried out a research on Indigenous Peoples' Human Rights Report in Nepal With the support of Asia Indigenous Peoples' Pact (AIPP) Foundation. This report shows that the IPs human rights have become a neglected area of concern for the government in Nepal.Various meetings, workshops were organised to review and develop new plans and strategy of the programs. In the process, past implemented programs were reviewed and on the basis of learning, new strategies were developed. Similarly learning sharing programs were also organise with the aim to impart knowledge, experiences. Internal and external visitors and observers from different organizations and places visited NGO-FONIN and its member organisations' program, which provided an opportunity of sharing ideas, learning experiences between visitors and NGO-FONIN.With the aim to share experience and information Adibasi Gunjan a bulletin was published, which included the program activities conducted by NGO-FONIN, various information related to IPs and their issues.For maintaining relation and making collective efforts towards achieving common goals, NGO-FONIN has made effort towards coordination, linkage, networking with individuals, organizations, institutions at local and national levels. During the period, NGO-FONIN participated various forums and interaction program activities organised by different national and international organisations like UN High Commission on Human Rights, UNDP, ActionAid, VSO, NEFIN, and other organisations. These has supported in relation building with the respective organisations/agencies.NGO-FONIN has affiliated to “Asia People Alliance for Combating HIV/AIDS (APACHA)” and involved various activities conducted by the alliance. It has also making effort to receive membership from AIPP. An application has been submitted for membership.NGO-FONIN felt various problems and threats as 1) resource constraint (financial and professional human resources) is one of the major obstacles in reaching the program to large area, 2) the program activities implemented could not have proper follow up; 3) unstable political situation was also another obstacle during the program implementation. As various unions and interest groups are fighting for their rights, they blockade of roads, transportation and services as the tool for their advocacy, 4) not able to cash the opportunities, 5) lacked support to new member organisations 6) lacking to connect IPs in western part of Nepal, 7) establishment of organisations as institution, 8) making equal understanding of issues 9) delay on implementing JEIP program.NGO-FONIN will make efforts towards people organisation and institution development, for which efforts will be made for arranging and managing resources. It will also make effort to explore partners or support organisations and building networks for achieving its objectives. NGO-FONIN’s program will focus towards capacity building of its member organisations as well as of district based organisations. To influence policy makers and responsible authorities, right advocacy campaigns will be conducted. Specifically attention will be given towards improving the lacking as a) Effort to be made on access to resources, b) Member organisation expansion to western part c) Extension of district network and strengthening them, d) Equip NGO-FONIN with human resource, physical facilities e) Support member organisations to strengthen them f) Follow up of existing program g) IPs women participation, h) Make equal understanding of issues among IPs i) Strengthening of document/information sharing.
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