RDIF II launched - 03 Jun 2009
Illustrating on the importance of a Fund like RDIF, Mr. Nembang said, ‘this is even more important at a time when we are trying to write a new constitution through the elected representatives of the people at the Constituent Assembly and take the country into new era in the constitutional history of Nepal.’
Australian government’s Australian Agency for International Development, Danida’s Human Rights and Good Governance Advisory Unit (DanidaHUGOU), UK government’s Department for International Development (DFID) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) have jointly supported the Fund. The Fund has 5.88 million pounds for projects on human rights, democratization and inclusion of excluded groups for the next three years.
Head of DFID Nepal, Ms. Sarah Sanyahumbi stated that the Fund was initiated to promote democratic values, ensure political inclusion and respect for rights. Highlighting the achievements and lessons of the first phase, she stressed that the 70 percent of resources had gone to local beneficiaries in the first phase. ‘In order to strengthen effective interactions between the state institutions and the civil society, such a Fund would be instrumental’, she added.
Ms. Susan Grace, Australian Ambassador highlighted that the Fund would work around political inclusion of excluded groups, awareness raising among excluded groups on contemporary political issues, constructive engagement of the civil society for ensuring rights of all and support towards strengthening of political parties. She also highlighted that the Fund would be a flexible vehicle to address ever changing challenges and to exploit opportunities for peace and development. The Fund will also have regional offices to ensure better access of local organizations in the second phase.
Danish Ambassador Mr. Finn Thilsted stated that DanidaHUGOU decided to join the Fund in its second phase as it would help the voices of people heard in the democratic process of Nepal. Citing the experiences of Denmark to merge the upper and lower houses of the parliament to address social inclusion issues, he emphasized that such experiences would be useful for Nepal to learn from. He further added that the RDIF would focus its future activities in rural areas in its second phase.
Ms. Sophia Willitts-King, Charge d'affaires, British Embassy, reflected on when the Fund was first launched in 2006, while the middle ground for democratic polity was squeezing. Promoting democratic norms and making the voices of excluded groups heard were among the intentions of the RDIF. She also underlined that the RDIF was a good example of donor collaboration on a common agenda.
Deputy Country Director of SDC Ms. Elisabeth von Capeller highlighted that the RDIF could be a mechanism to reach the excluded groups and rural areas. She stressed that Kathmandu-centric and elite-led development initiatives could not address the problems of rural poor and excluded groups.
In the launching ceremony, CA member Ms. Krishna Kumari Pariyar, who had participated in RDIF project activities, shared that the support and exposure provided to her from RDIF’s partners - Jagaran Nepal and RSN - were instrumental in enhancing her confidence as a leader. General Secretary of Madheshi Dalit Development Federation (MDDF) Mr. Chandreshwor Khatwe expressed that the support from RDIF was helpful in raising the awareness and leadership skills of Madheshi Dalits, who have now been able to hold positions at local institutions and hold local governments accountable.
RDIF was first launched in February 2006 to promote democratic values, policies and practices across Nepal's political and constitutional spectrum. The Fund was set up in response to the many challenges that Nepal's multiparty democratic system faced since its reintroduction in 1990. RDIF completed its phase I in December 2008.
An independent review of the Fund’s achievements since 2006 was carried out in 2008. The review concluded that RDIF’s projects had helped to create a critical mass of people throughout the country committed to the democratic norms and values. According to the review the fund also contributed to the promoting of inclusion of all sectors of society in politics and decision making. RDIF also stands as a good example of successful donor harmonisation and coordination.
The Fund spent £ 2,390,332 in its first phase on 22 projects with 18 partner organizations with contributions from four donors: UK Department for International Development (DFID), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), AusAID and the Norwegian Embassy.
