This core development programme is supported by a multitude of donor partners that believe in LWF Nepal’s empowerment projects. Such projects aim to facilitate the disadvantaged and marginalized households and communities to organise themselves into groups and CBOs (community-based organizations) so that they can get access to opportunities essential for improving their livelihoods, and to freedom of choices to live in the way they want.

“Enabling the people to exercise their rights for a better and dignified life”

LWF Nepal’s poverty alleviation efforts are reflected in support given to groups and CBOs so that they can receive productive opportunities such as land rights, vocational training, education, income generation activities, credit facility, government resources and so on. LWF Nepal has implemented many effective community development projects with various local partners, including Water Resources Development Project (1984-1992), Women’s Development Project (1985-1998), Baglung Community Development Project (1987-1997), Khairmara Community Development Project (1989-1993), Kailali Community Development Project (1991-1998), Rolpa Community Development Project (1993-1997) and Nepal Development Programme (since 1997).

Some former bonded labourers have opened small-scale enterprises in far-west Nepal

LWF Nepal is also increasingly active not only in grassroots empowerment of the disadvantaged, including Dalits, ex-Kamaiyas, ethnic groups and rural women, but also at making effective networking and advocacy efforts at the local, regional, national and international levels.

CBOs and groups are the core elements of the programme. CBOs are legal entities that represent groups and ultimately households. Institutional capacity building of CBOs is the primary focus of the programme. All activities are implemented by or through CBOs. Therefore, at the institutional level, CBOs are expected to function continually even after the phase-out of the progamme. They already have a certain amount of funds; some of them are able to seek resources from other sources.

LWF Nepal believes that the marginalized and disadvantaged target groups need some kind of incentives so that they can keep their families afloat and fight for their rights simultaneously. Specific but modest activities have been tailored to meet this objective.

Activities related to community infrastructure development facilities such as school, water system, irrigation and health post have had visible impacts on the daily lives of the marginalized and disadvantaged people. People maintain and operate these facilities. Other on-farm and off-farm activities are important because they help generate supplementary income. LWF Nepal’s micro-finance programme emphasizes poverty reduction.