Switzerland gives Rs 1.1b for local governance program

KATHMANDU, Dec 12:

Switzerland has provided grant assistance of Rs 1.1 billion to Nepal for implementation of Local Governance and Community Development Program (LGCDP) Phase II under the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development.

The second phase of LGCDP, which started from July 2013, will continue till July 2017.

Foreign Secretary Shanta Raj Subedi and Swiss ambassador to Nepal Urs Herren on Wednesday signed an agreement to formalize the grant on behalf of their respective governments.

The Swiss support Swiss support is complementary to the financial assistance to be provided by several other development partners who are also supporting the second phase of program. Switzerland has been engaged in supporting local state building through several good governance programs for the last 10 years.

In the first phase of the program, the Swiss government had provided grant assistance of 4 million Swiss Francs.

“Switzerland believes that this program has been very effective in both strengthening the supply side of public services by making duty bearers accountable to the right holders, while raising awareness and empowering the right-holders, particularly from disadvantaged groups, about their rights to services through the social mobilization processes,” a statement issued by the Swiss Embassy said.

The program will cover all 75 districts, 58 municipalities and 3,915 village development committees.

Source: Republica