evaluation report of projects on media initiative for civic...
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Evaluation Report of Projects
on
Media Initiative for Civic Resistance against Corruption
And
Combating Corruption through Women’s
Empowerment and Development
A Study Report Submitted to
Danida HUGOU
PRAD Nepal
Jhamshikhel, Lalitpur
November 2007
F I N A L R E P O R T
Study Team
Mr. Shanker Man Singh, Governance Expert
Mr. Bhusan Das Shrestha, Institutional Expert
PRAD, Nepal
Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ACRONYMS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................. i
1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Brief Description of the Projects ..................................................................................................... 2 1.2.1 ReMAC ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2.2 SWATI ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
1.3 Objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Scope of Work ................................................................................................................................... 3
1.5 Methodology ...................................................................................................................................... 3 1.5.1 Desk Study .................................................................................................................................................. 4 1.5.2 Stakeholders‟ Perspective ........................................................................................................................... 4 1.5.3 SWOT Analysis .......................................................................................................................................... 4 1.5.4 Sustainability Analysis ................................................................................................................................ 4 1.5.5 Tools for Evaluation .................................................................................................................................... 4 1.5.6 Analytical Approach ................................................................................................................................... 6
1.6 Limitations of the Study ................................................................................................................... 6
1.7 Organization of the Study Report ................................................................................................... 6
2. CIVIL SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT IN ANTICORRUPTION MOVEMENT IN NEPAL ... 7
2.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2 The Role of Civil Society and Media against Corruption ............................................................. 8
3. PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT ......................................................................................... 11
3.1 Assessment of ReMAC Project ...................................................................................................... 11 3.1.1 Description of Log Frame Analysis .......................................................................................................... 11 3.1.2 Achievement and Non-achievement ......................................................................................................... 14 3.1.3 Stakeholders' Perspective .......................................................................................................................... 18
3.2 Assessment of SWATI Project ....................................................................................................... 18 3.2.1 Description of Log Frame Analysis .......................................................................................................... 18 3.2.2 Achievement and Non Achievement ......................................................................................................... 21 3.2.3 Stakeholders' Perspective .......................................................................................................................... 24
4. INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY ASSESSMENT .................................................................... 26
4.1 SWOT Analysis for ReMAC ......................................................................................................... 26
4.2 SWOT Analysis for SWATI .......................................................................................................... 28
5. FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................. 31
5.1 Findings and Conclusions .............................................................................................................. 31 5.1.1 ReMAC ..................................................................................................................................................... 31
5.1.2 SWATI ...................................................................................................................................................... 33
5.2 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................... 34 5.2.1 Related to Log Frame Analysis ................................................................................................................. 34 5.2.2 Related to Output and Activities ............................................................................................................... 35 5.2.3 Sustainability of ReMAC and SWATI ...................................................................................................... 37
5.3 DanidaHUGOU's Involvement: The Direction Ahead ................................................................ 38
BIBLIOGRAPHY......................................................................................................................... 40
ANNEXURE................................................................................................................................. 41
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PRAD Nepal is highly privileged to have the opportunity to undertake this study on "Evaluation
of Civil Society Anticorruption projects.” PRAD Nepal wishes to place sincere thanks to the
steering committee members for support and guidance during the study. The study team
appreciates the untiring support extended by Dr. Narayan Manandhar, Advisor Danida/HUGOU,
Sangita Nirola, Executive Director SWATI, Krishna Bhandari, Executive Director, ReMAC
Bishal Shapkota and T.N Ghimire of ReMAC, Ashish Thapa, Transparency International Nepal
Chapter, Bigyan Pradhan, World Bank, Kathmandu, Ratna Kaji Bajracharya, Former CIAA staff,
Rudra Bashyal, National Vigilance Centre, and Shree Krishna Shrestha, Chairman, Pro Public.
The support provided by Mr. Murari Shivakoti, Acting Programme Co-ordinator,
Danida/HUGOU helped to shape up the study. PRAD Nepal acknowledges and thanks for his
advise, guidance and support during the course of the evaluation.
Naveen Shree Pradhan and Ajeeta Aryal, SWATI, Chintan Shapkota, Biratnagar Koshi FM,
Saroj Kafle, Sharada Rizal , Sagarmatha FM, Kathmandu, Sapana Rana Nepalgunj District
Coordinator of SWATI, Sangita Dahal, Biratnagar District Coordinator of SWATI, Tara
Khanal, Hemant B.K, Radio Bheri Awaj Nepalgunj, Khadga Rawat, Pro- Public Nepalgunj,
Jhalak Gaire, journalist , Nepal Samachar Patrika, Nepalgunj helped the team in clarifying
many of the issues. PRAD Nepal wishes to thank for their free and frank discussion and their
suggestions.
PRAD Nepal also acknowledges the suggestions provided by the donor community, government
officials and NGOs working in the anticorruption area.
PRAD Nepal believes that the analysis and the recommendations made in the study will be
useful to all those stakeholders who are associated and have keen interest in corruption issues in
Nepal.
November, 2007 PRAD Nepal
ACRONYMS
AC Anticorruption
CCN Conscious Citizen Nepal (Sachet Nagarik Nepal)
CEGG Centre for Education on Good Governance
CIAA Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority
COACT Action for Community Development, Nepal
CPN Communist Party of Nepal
CRWLG Corruption Reduction Women Lawyers Groups
CRWPG Corruption Reduction Women Pressure Groups
CSDG Centre for Study of Democracy and Governance
CSO Civil Society Organization
Danida/HUGOU Danish International Development Assistance Human Rights and Good
Governance Advisory Unit
DFID Department for International Development
FACT Forum against Corruption and Transparency
FNCCI Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry
IGD Institute of Governance and Development
LFA Log Frame Assessment
MIAC Motivation, Information, Application and Control
MICRaC Media Initiative for Civic Resistance against Corruption
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
NDI National Democratic Institute
NGO Non-Governmental Organizations
NTV Nepal Television
NVC National Vigilance Centre
OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
PRAD Policy Research and Development Nepal
PSC Project Steering Committee
ReMAC Research and Media Centre against Corruption
SAP South Asia Partnership
SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation
SWBIM Swatantra Bichar Manch
SWOT Strength Weakness Opportunity and Threats
TI Transparency International
WSG Women Support Group
ToT Training of Trainers
TU Tribhuvan University
UNCAC United Nations Conventions against Corruption
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
USAID United States Agency for International Development
WAC Women against Corruption
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background
In Nepal, corruption is a serious problem affecting whole sphere of government system. Corruption
is pervasive in Nepal. Almost all sectors throughout the nation are affected by corruption. The
debate is not on whether there is or is not corruption, but it is on the magnitude of corruption.
Anticorruption is one among the seven components of the Danish Human Rights and Good
Governance Programme in Nepal. In line with Anti-Corruption Component Description, from 2006
onwards Danida/HUGOU has been actively supporting Nepalese civil society organizations involved
in anti- corruption activities. Among the Danida/HUGOU supported civil society based anti-
corruption projects, the two projects, one implemented by Research and Media Centre against
Corruption (ReMAC) has been completed at the end of September 2007, and the other implemented
by SWATI, was completed in June 2007.
The Research and Media Centre Against Corruption (ReMAC) project- Media Initiative for Civic
Resistance against Corruption is a project with the objectives of promoting good governance
culture by sensitizing the public sector, motivating the media persons to report good governance and
anticorruption, and mobilizing the students on research and advocacy task in relation to good
governance and anticorruption. In a nutshell, the ReMAC project is meant to support media to
combat corruption in Nepal.
SWATI- project – Combating Corruption through Women’s Empowerment and Development – is
the project with the objectives of creating a corruption free society through gender mainstreaming,
promoting women‟s leadership and building strategic alliances among women from various sectors
and empowering women to fight against corruption. The SWATI project seeks to mobilize women in
the fight against corruption.
Objectives of the Study
This study is envisioned to review the general context of the civil society anticorruption movement
in Nepal and to analyze the achievements and non-achievements of the projects objectives, outputs
and activities. The main objective of the study is to assess the capacity of ReMAC and SWATI to
carry out the projects and the sustainability initiatives taken by them. As mentioned in the Terms of
Reference (ToR) provided to PRAD, the objectives of the evaluation study were:
To briefly review the status of the civil society anticorruption movement in general in Nepal.
To assess achievements of the immediate objectives, outputs, and activities mentioned in the
respective Project Documents of ReMAC and SWATI.
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To evaluate the capacity of ReMAC and SWATI as partner organizations to carry out future
civil society based anticorruption initiatives in Nepal.
Methodology of the Study
The study is based on desk research, primary and secondary data, interactions and consultative
meetings. In the desk research, collection, screening, review and analysis of all the documents and
literatures as listed in the ToR was done. The reviewed documents included Project Documents,
MoUs, Bi- annual and Annual Progress Reports, seminar proceedings and other publications related
to project activities In the interaction procedure, the stakeholders connected with these two projects
like CIAA and National Vigilance Centre (NVC), Transparency International Nepal and its Support
Groups, other NGOs and INGOs working in the field of anticorruption were consulted. A rapid
appraisal of stakeholders is made to solicit their views on role and contribution of ReMAC and
SWATI projects. Similarly, in other to assess the institutional capacity of ReMAC and SWATI,
SWOT analysis was made and the study also looked into the sustainability of the two projects in
terms of further replication of these activities in other parts of the country.
The primary data were acquired from the field visits, interaction and consultative meetings whereas
the secondary data were collected from published and unpublished documents and records
maintained in SWATI and ReMAC.
The tools of evaluation were the checklists prepared and submitted to different groups. The list
included questions related to the relevance of the project activities as indicated in the Log Frame
such as usefulness of the materials provided during the workshops, and training program, views on
the effectiveness of the resource persons, general satisfaction level and ability to build networks in
the field.
Civil Society in Nepalese Anticorruption Movement
The organized civil society movement against corruption in Nepal started in mid 1990s with the
establishment of Transparency International Nepal. The establishment of TI-Nepal Chapter was
followed by the up-coming activities of another civil society based organization called Pro-Public in
1997. And now, the list of such organizations which are active in the national level with profound
activities extends to more than fifteen organizations. These civil society organizations are basically
involved in awareness building activities and corruption prevention.
While talking about the civil society involvement in anticorruption drive, some interesting
observations could be made from their general trend and activities area. First, there is proliferation of
anticorruption NGOs and secondly, these anticorruption NGOs are heavily involved in advocacy
programs like anticorruption awareness raising campaigns, media advocacy, training, workshops and
seminars on anticorruption issues, anticorruption and ethic education programs for youths and
students etc. There are few NGOs involved in corruption monitoring activities and still fewer in
organizing anticorruption research works. Heavy involvement of anticorruption NGOs focusing on
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advocacy programs may have helped to generate "demands" for good governance but in the absence
of supplying agencies, there is lopsided development in anticorruption and good governance
activities within Nepal. Thirdly, almost all NGOs are donor driven due to which, the sustainability of
the activities is highly questionable as the programs are implemented on an ad hoc basis
concentrating basically in Kathmandu and urban centers of the country. Fourthly, the role of media
in anticorruption drive is unique in Nepal. The journalists covering anticorruption news stories have,
so far, seen as the primary contributors in publishing books related to anticorruption in Nepal. The
journalists have published a number of books uncovering corruption stories. However, given the
political orientation of news media, there is a lack of media independency and subsequent covering
of corruption news stories.
Performance Assessment of ReMAC Project
The ReMAC project entitled "Media Initiative for Civic Resistance against Corruption" has one
development objective, two immediate objectives, four outputs and several activities under each
output. The output-wise distribution of budget was as follows: 42 percent for Output 1, 26 percent
for Output 2, 5 percent for Output 3 and 27 percent for Output 4. Obviously, Output 1, Output 2 and
Output 4 could be taken as priority level outputs for the ReMAC project.
The project has mentioned "promotion of culture of good governance through combating corruption"
as the development objective. The immediate objectives; outputs and activities mentioned in the
project document are to some extent consistent with the needs and priorities of the country.
Normally, development objectives tend to be ambitious and cannot be expected to achieve within
short span of time. Therefore, more reasonable approach to evaluate project will be on the basis of
immediate objectives, outputs and activities. Out of the three immediate objectives, two objectives,
namely, (1) sensitization of public and (2) motivation of media people are consistent with the
ReMAC missions and objectives. However, the third objective – mobilization of students for
anticorruption issues – does not seem to be compatible with ReMAC's area of operations and
specialization. Mere 5 percent allocation of the total budget for this immediate objective also
indicates a degree of inconsistency in the project outputs and activities.
The study team found that many stakeholders were familiar with ReMAC objectives and functions.
Stakeholders opined that there is need of involvement of organizations like ReMAC in creating
awareness against corruption. Some of the stakeholders also appreciated ReMAC project. However,
some stakeholder realized that there exists misunderstanding among the members. They suggested
that there should be harmonization and better relationships among them.
In general, the stakeholders opined that the efforts of the ReMAC are encouraging. They also opined
that similar project activities, with some adaptation in the content and coverage, should be
implemented in the days to come. As most of the activities planned under REMAC were urban-
centric, they suggested that the activities should be targeted in rural and semi-urban areas as well.
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As regards to the support to media, the stakeholders view that media people are seen interested in
investigating the corruption cases. They are good at attacking the issues rather than educating the
people on the need to abhor corruption in general. They also suggested for the continuation of
anticorruption activities through other civil society organizations and media based organizations.
Performance Assessment of SWATI Project
The SWATI project entitled "Combating Corruption through Women‟s Empowerment and
Development” has one development objective, two immediate objectives, three outputs and several
activities under each output. The output-wise distribution of budget was as follows: 17 percent for
Output 1, 57 percent for Output 2, and 26 percent for Output 3. A large portion of the budget was
allocated to launching anticorruption campaigns like media campaigns, ward-level interactions,
cultural programme and street drama.
It has mentioned "Creating a corruption-free society through gender mainstreaming” as the
development objective of the project. The objective of the project is limited, as corruption-free
society cannot be created only through gender mainstreaming. There are various components in
anticorruption drive like: civil society, the private sector, the government, NGOs and INGOs.
Two immediate objectives namely (1) promoting women leadership and creating alliance and (2)
empowering women to fight against corruption are consistent with SWATI's mission and objectives.
Mainstreaming community level women in anticorruption drive as one of the immediate objectives
will support to achieve the objective of the organization.
The Study team found that many stakeholders at district level are familiar with the main objective
and the activities of SWATI. There is a unanimous view of the various stakeholders on the need of
the organization like SWATI‟s involvement in anticorruption issues at the awareness, analysis and
lobbying level. Some of the stakeholders appreciated the role performed by the project under,”
Combating Corruption through Women’s empowerment and Development”. The study team found
that other income generating activities should also be simultaneously carried out in order to develop
network in grass root level.
Institutional Capacity Assessment of ReMAC
Strengths
Promoted by youths working in the field of media, law and research works
Focused area of operation, i.e., anticorruption and good governance
Good institutional linkages
Adequate office infrastructure
v
Weaknesses
Lack of institutional capacity in terms of knowledge, work experience and management
systems
Lack of financial independence
Lack of monitoring and evaluation
Frequent staff turnovers
Intra-organizational conflicts
Opportunities
Anticorruption as a national agenda of development
Increased donor support
Threats
Political instability
Growing competition in the operational area
Institutional Capacity Assessment of SWATI
Strengths
Proactive and committed members
Branch offices in Districts
Parallel activities
Dedicated and competent Staff
Government friendly
Weakness
Weak resource base
District office not well equipped
Opportunities
Donor‟s support on Anticorruption
Loose networking
Lead anticorruption organization from gender perspective
Threats
Political instability
Competition
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Specific Findings for ReMAC
ReMAC has achieved the physical targets set forth in the project document and it has been
successful in carrying out the activities under different Output headings like sensitizing the people
on good governance, enhancing investigative skills of media persons, and enhancing organizational
capacity of ReMAC. However, it can be inferred that the involvement of the University students in
good governance and the anticorruption research and advocacy seems awkward in the context of
lobbying.
Based on the relevant documents and the observation from the field visit, the issue of sensitizing the
people through the use of different types of media activities like production and broadcasting of
programs through community radio, regular discussion program on good governance and
anticorruption, the study team would like to infer that the program activity has proved to have
created a long term impact.
Under Output two, the activity of the preparation of the reference books and the training manual
were not completed in the set deadlines, which also severely affected the scheduling for conducting
training program. The efficiency in producing the training manual is also questionable considering
the contents of the manual.
Under Output three, University students engaged in Good Governance and anticorruption research
and mobilized for advocacy task were carried out like awarding fellowship to training participants.
Judged from the relevance point of view, the activity cannot be said to be much in coherence with
the objective of the project. However, the impact and the effectiveness are significant.
Under Output four, in enhancing the organizational capacity of ReMAC as Anticorruption Resource
Centre by conducting various activities like establishment of ReMAC, the study team„s finding is
that the organizational capacity strengthening of ReMAC is not up to the mark. It is reflected by the
impact, efficiency and the sustainability aspects.
Specific Findings for SWATI
SWATI has been successful in carrying out the activities under different Output headings like
identification of impact of corruption on women, sensitizing the women group on the impact of
corruption, and revising the Social Reform Act 2033 B.S. Besides, SWATI was involved in
conducing workshops/seminar, interaction programs, media campaign, ward level interaction,
cultural programs, street drama, preparation of Draft Social Reform Bill etc. However, it can be
inferred that the lessons learned from similar situation in different neighboring countries have not
been studied for the formulation of the Draft Social Reform Act.
Under the Output three, Social Reform Act 2033 was revisited. Various programme like consultative
workshop were conducted to achieve the output. Since the Social Reform Act Draft Bill has been
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prepared and the effectiveness of the activity was achieved whereas the long term impact will be
observed only after lobbying for the implementation of the Social Reform Act 2033.
Lessons learned in the SWATI and the success stories of SWATI activities should be replicated in
other areas of the country to fight against corruption through creating awareness, sensitizing people
and analyzing and having promotional activities.
Conclusions (ReMAC)
Monitoring & Evaluation System during project period was missing.
Training was conducted without the knowledge and practices of Training for Trainers (ToT)
The need assessment of the training in the project was not carried out.
The project is donor dependent.
The individual project‟s visibility has not been observed in the general public.
The project period is short, and different political regime prevailed during the course of
project formulation, implementation and evaluation. The envisaged activities could not meet
the deadlines.
Four Project Steering Committees meeting were held with Danida/HUGOU and other
stakeholders,
On 4th August 2006, an extraordinary PSC meeting was held to settle the issues relating to
institutional governance viz the involvement of the Project Director in other donor-funded
activities and the involvement of the chairman as a consultant in the research component of
the project.
ReMAC has developed a pool of prospective media person to combat against corruption.
ReMAC has just prepared the Draft Report on last six month‟s progress of the project.
Conclusions (SWATI)
It is evident that the activities carried out under different heads were at the center of the
districts and very few programs were launched in semi-urban areas.
Civil societies are involved in awareness building, corruption analysis and prevention
activities and the government is involved in punitive action in anticorruption drive in Nepal.
viii
Combating corruption is long term activity needing the help and co-operation of all the
stakeholders.
The project visibility has not been observed in the general public. The project period is short,
and different political regime prevailed during the course of project formulation,
implementation and evaluation.
Not a single meeting of Project Steering Committee was held.
Monitoring & Evaluation System during project period was missing.
The project is donor dependent and short in duration covering very limited area.
General Recommendations
Based on the evaluation parameter of the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability,
the study team carried a detailed evaluation of the activities of the both projects and would like to
put the recommendations for consideration. The evaluation is based on the methodology mentioned
above.
In Nepal, corruption is deep rooted and institutionalized. It will take some time for combating
corruption, it is in this context, the study team would like to suggest for the extension of the
project for unfinished work and for further coverage to replicate the lessons learned and the
best practices of the project. While doing so, it is also suggested that among the two projects
the pros and cons and the effectiveness and efficiency of the output of the projects should be
properly taken into account.
In the particular milieu of Nepal, CSOs activities in combating corruption is in very nascent
stage, there is a need to do more in association, co-ordination and collaboration with
concerned stakeholders/donors.
In Nepal, demand side of corruption is strongly institutionalized and breaking it is arduous.
In order to accelerate combating corruption process, it is suggested that strategies and modus
operandi should be developed focusing supply side awareness building; advocacy, policy
lobbying and analysis of the cause of corruption.
Danida/HUGOU's Involvement: The Direction Ahead
In order to building the public awareness against the vices of corruption and analyzing the
corruption, the civil society and media organizations must be supported and it is recommended that
the already initiated Danida/HUGOU projects should be continued. These projects should be
expanded with wider coverage and special consideration should be given to adopting the good lesson
learned and vice versa.
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Professionally strong civil society organizations are needed for effective anticorruption drive. The
support to these organizations could be designed in two phases: immediate to short term and medium
to long term. The immediate to short-term package should contain at least the following:
- According to the realistic immediate objectives (such as laid down by SWATI), the special
consideration should be given to the calculation of the time frame. For example, the time
frame of one year for SWATI is short to achieve the desired goal.
- Based on the effectiveness of the past performance and lesson learned, the program should be
supported for the expansion in five development regions
In the medium to long term, it is suggested to provide assistance to increase the coverage areas of
SWATI in more districts. This can be achieved by using SWATI‟s existing networking in different
districts. The same project activities with some modifications could be implemented in other districts
considering the lessons learned. The purposed Social Welfare Bill 2033 has been drafted. But there
is still a need for advocacy and lobbying the Parliamentarians to get the bill passed in the parliament.
As women are always seen as the instigator of corruption, the addressing of the women from various
backgrounds against the corruption is a novel idea implemented by SWATI. Hence, such types of
activities needs further support from the Danida/HUGOU. Similarly, the network of Women against
Corruption (WAC) should be made active and functional to mobilize them in anticorruption
movement with the support from Danida/HUGOU.
At central level, media advocacy including audio, visual and print media is suggested to raise
awareness on anticorruption campaign. Similarly, the effective and efficient media persons and
academicians should be supported in order to analyze the nature, extent, existence, trends and overall
systematic analysis of the corruption in Nepal.
The youth mobilization program is also recommended as this project did not have youth focused
program.
1
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
Anticorruption is one among the seven components1 of the Danish Human Rights and Good
Governance Programme (Danida/HUGOU) in Nepal. With an objective to improve the capacity
of the actors, state, government agencies, civil society, media and the private sector involved in
fight against corruption, Danida/HUGOU has identified three component outputs viz, (1)
building public awareness against the vices of corruption (2) analyzing corruption to take
preventive actions and (3) effective fighting corruption as a deterrence measure. The major focus
of the activities of Nepalese civil society were focused on building public awareness against
corruption and in analyzing corruption to take the preventive actions. In line with this
Anticorruption Component Description, Danida/HUGOU has been actively supporting Nepalese
civil society organizations involved in anticorruption activities, among these, Research and
Media Centre against Corruption (ReMAC) and SWATI were two projects. Mediating between
the state and the public, such civil society organizations can play an important role in
constraining corruption through generating public awareness against the vices of corruption and
in exerting pressures to government to introduce various reform measures to constrain
corruption.
In order to carry out an independent evaluation of these above mentioned two civil societies
based anticorruption projects supported by Danida/HUGOU, an agreement was signed between
Danida/HUGOU and Policy Research and Development (PRAD). The evaluation was carried out
by PRAD from mid August to September 2007. The duration of both of these projects coincided
with the most critical juncture in Nepalese politics – King's direct rule and Jana Andolan II. The
ReMAC project was launched during the period of direct rule of the King whereas; SWATI
project was launched after popular Jana Andolan II. Since, both of these projects were
implemented during politically sensitive period, the unfolding of political events have been
found to impart some impact on the implementation and achievements of these projects,
however, the evaluation showed that the projects have made “an important contribution in
fighting against corruption in Nepal.” These projects helped to identify the appropriate strategies
to fight corruption by mobilizing women and media persons. Both of these projects have enabled
themselves to be established as a vibrant anticorruption civil society based organizations. Saving
few activities in ReMAC, most of the activities laid down in the project documents were found
1 These seven components are (1) Human Rights Organizations (2) Social Inclusion (3) Media (4) Justice (5)
Anticorruption (6) Elections and Democratic Processes and (7) Local Governance.
2
to be implemented. The concerned stakeholders and the line agencies have appreciated the
activities carried out by these two projects.
1.2 Brief Description of the Projects
1.2.1 ReMAC
The Research and Media Centre Against Corruption (ReMAC) implemented the project- Media
Initiative for Civic Resistance Against Corruption. The project was signed on 27 December
2005 for a period of 18 months starting from January 2006 with the development objective of
promoting culture of good governance in Nepal through combating corruption. The project
contained three immediate objectives and four outputs. The immediate objectives of the project
were: (1) to sensitize the public on the vices of corruption, (2) to motivate media persons to
report good governance and anticorruption, and (3) to mobilize students on research and
advocacy task in relation to good governance and anticorruption. The outputs envisaged in the
project were: (1) people sensitized on good governance and anticorruption through the use of
different types of media, (2) enhancing the investigative skills of the media persons covering
anticorruption issues, (3) mobilizing university students engaged in good governance and
anticorruption research for advocacy, and (4) enhancing the organizational capacity of ReMAC.
In a nutshell, the ReMAC project was meant to support media to combat corruption in Nepal.
1.2.2 SWATI
SWATI implemented the project – Combating Corruption through Women’s Empowerment
and Development which was signed on 29 June 2006 for a period of 12 months starting from 1
July 2006. This project had the development objective of creating a corruption free society
through gender mainstreaming. Moreover, the project had two immediate objectives: (1) to
promote women‟s leadership and build strategic alliances among women from various sectors
and (2) to empower women to fight against corruption. The outputs envisaged in the project
were: (1) impact of corruption on women identified, (2) women sensitized on the impact of
corruption, and (3) Social Reform Act 2033 revisited. The SWATI project took initiatives in
mobilizing women to fight against corruption.
1.3 Objectives
As mentioned in the Terms of Reference (ToR) provided to PRAD, the objectives of the
evaluation study were:
3
To briefly review the status of the civil society anticorruption movement in general in
Nepal.
To assess achievements of the immediate objectives, outputs, and activities mentioned in
the respective Project Documents of ReMAC and SWATI.
To evaluate the capacity of ReMAC and SWATI as partner organizations to carry out
future civil society based anticorruption initiatives in Nepal.
1.4 Scope of Work
The scope of work of the evaluation were
To review the general context of the civil society anticorruption movement in Nepal.
To assess achievements and or non-achievements of the project objectives, outputs and
activities.
To assess the logic built within the projects in terms of project objectives, outputs and
activities.
To assess the capacity of ReMAC and SWATI to carry out the projects and the
sustainability of the initiatives.
To offer suggestions to Danida/HUGOU related to civil society based anticorruption
projects in Nepal.
1.5 Methodology
The methodology of the study was based on the primary as well as secondary data/information
from various sources. The secondary data/information was obtained from the published and
unpublished documents, annual and bi-annual reports and records maintained in SWATI and
ReMAC whereas the primary data/information were gathered from field visit and interactive
meetings. In this course of data/information collection, two field visits were carried out in
Biratnagar and Nepalgunj. The main purposes of these visits were to get the feedback from
ReMAC and SWATI participants who have attended field level programmes. The interviewees
were asked with the formatted checklists questions as mentioned in Annex 1. Similarly, the
interaction meetings and discussions were held with key stakeholders, office bearers and project
staff members from ReMAC and SWATI (given in Annex 1).
4
This evaluation study report is based on following approaches.
1.5.1 Desk Study
Desk study involved collection and screening of all the documents and literatures as listed in the
ToR. This included review of documents like Project Documents, MoUs, Bi- annual and Annual
Progress Reports. Besides, other reports such as seminar proceedings and publications related to
project activities were also reviewed.
1.5.2 Stakeholders’ Perspective
The projects have a number of stakeholders including Commission for Investigation of Abuse of
Authority (CIAA), National Vigilance Centre (NVC), Transparency International Nepal and its
Support Groups, other NGOs and INGOs working in the field of anticorruption movement. In the
course of evaluation, it was essential to understand the perspective of these stakeholders on the
role and contribution of SWATI and ReMAC. Hence, a rapid appraisal of stakeholders was made
to solicit their views on role and contribution of ReMAC and SWATI projects. The perspectives
of those stakeholders were collected by means of the checklist as mentioned in Annex 1.
1.5.3 SWOT Analysis
In order to assess the institutional capacity of ReMAC and SWATI, SWOT analysis was made
on the basis of their institutional strength, weakness, opportunities and threats.
1.5.4 Sustainability Analysis
The study also looked into the sustainability of the two projects in terms of further expansion and
or replication of those activities in other parts of the country.
1.5.5 Tools for Evaluation
Different sets of checklists were developed to facilitate the consultation meeting with the
different groups of stakeholders (See Annex 1). The list included questions related to the
relevance of the project activities as indicated in the Log Frame, usefulness of the materials
5
provided during the workshops, and training programme, views on the effectiveness of the
resource persons, general satisfaction level and ability to build networks in the field.
6
1.5.6 Analytical Approach
A Log Frame has been used as a starting point to assess the performance of SWATI and
ReMAC. In the course of the study, objectives, outputs, activities laid down in the Project
Documents of SWATI and ReMAC were first tabulated and then performance assessment was
made on its basis.
1.6 Limitations of the Study
The evaluation study is limited to the information collected from Kathmandu, Biratnagar and
Nepalgunj only. Due to time and budget constraints, the study is based on limited sample
surveys. Furthermore, the on-going political strike in Terai districts and bad weather conditions
(incessant rain) also affected the study, as the study team could not meet more participants,
particularly, in Nepalgunj and Biratnagar.
1.7 Organization of the Study Report
The study is organized in five chapters. Chapter one introduces the study objectives, scope of the
study and study methodology. Chapter two gives an overview of the Civil Society‟s involvement
in anticorruption drive in Nepal. The assessment of the Log Frame, including performance
assessment in terms of project objectives, outputs, and activities are made in Chapter three. In
chapter four the institutional capacity of ReMAC and SWATI are highlighted. And the last
chapter furnishes the major findings and recommendations.
7
2. CIVIL SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT IN ANTICORRUPTION
MOVEMENT IN NEPAL
2.1 Background
Corruption is a serious economic, social, political and administrative challenge worldwide. With
a view to control the epidemic of corruption, various specialized entities have been established to
fight corruption through research, education, monitoring and control. Working with non-
governmental actors is a crucial component of anticorruption drive. This is because fighting
corruption calls for collective actions on the part of different stakeholders like political parties,
media, business community and civil society. There is less chance of success if the responsibility
to fight corruption is left alone with the state actors like anticorruption agencies, oversight
agencies and the courts. Studies have found that in countries with poor-to-fair quality
governance, an anticorruption movement cannot make a dent without the support of Non-
Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the mass media.2 Even the United Nations Convention
Against Corruption (UNCAC) states that in order to prevent and eradicate corruption, it should
be the responsibility of all states and that they must co-operate with one another, with the support
and involvement of individuals and groups outside public sector, such as civil society, non
governmental organizations and community based organizations, if their efforts are going to
have any effect3. The press release by TI on the occasion of publishing Corruption Perception
Index 2007 highlights on the role of civil society in combating corruption in following words:
"Partnering with civil society and citizen is another essential strategy for developing countries
seeking to strengthen the accountability of the government. Civil society organizations play a
vital watchdog role, can help stimulate demands for reform and also bring in expertise on
technical issues."4
In Nepal, corruption is a serious problem affecting whole sphere of government system. There is
pervasive corruption in Nepal and it can be said that there are no sector in Nepal, which are not
affected by corruption. The debate on corruption and good governance is not on whether there is
or is not corruption but it is on the magnitude of corruption. A survey conducted by National
Democratic Institute (NDI) in July 2004 reports that 83 percent of the respondents reported
corruption is widespread in Nepal.
2 OECD and Transparency International, “Enhancing the role of Civil Society in Anticorruption Work” December
2004 3 UN, United Nations Convention on Anti Corruption, (UNCAC)
4 Transparency International, Press Release, 26 September 2007.
8
An independent media and women can simultaneously address three strategic components of
anticorruption drives, namely, prevention, analysis and combating corruption. Through an
investigative reporting, the media can expose prevailing and potential areas of corruption, invite
official investigations into the accused crimes, help in shaping the public opinion against
corruption, call public attention and thereby using the process of "naming and shaming", the
media can even enforce a kind of social sanction on the culprits. Hence, having only the good
governance is not enough in this regard. But the civil society and media have to continuously
function as watchdog agencies to monitor that governance.
There are many areas where the state can support civil society organizations in the fight against
corruption. These include: prioritizing the role of civil society, mobilizing them in mass
education programme, ensuring access to information by civil society organizations, actively
involving them in monitoring activities.
2.2 The Role of Civil Society and Media against Corruption
A mere existence of the law is not enough to control corruption. Neither corruption can be
controlled by law enforcement alone. The law has to be accepted by the society. and this calls for
wider participation by all parties related to anticorruption drive. It is, therefore, important to give
due recognition to the collective role of the civil society and the media in the fight against
corruption.
The organized civil society movement against corruption in Nepal started in the mid 1990s with
the establishment of Transparency International - Nepal Chapter, in 1995, which basically
focused on advocacy, awareness building and generating civic pressure. The establishment of TI-
Nepal Chapter was followed by the up-coming activities of another civil society based
organization called Pro-Public in 1997. Such civil society organizations are basically involved in
awareness building activities and corruption prevention. Initially, civil society anticorruption
activities in Nepal were at the support of Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC). Later, other
donors like DFID and USAID were seen actively supporting anticorruption projects in Nepal.
Currently, DFID/Nepal is supporting civil society based anticorruption activities through Pro-
Public. Danida/HUGOU support to civil society anticorruption activities started from 2006 with
the initiation of projects by ReMAC and SWATI.
The list of civil society organizations involved in anticorruption movement in Nepal is given in
Table 1.
9
Table 1: Sample of Civil Society Anticorruption Organizations in Nepal
Name of the organization Year of
Establishment
Focus of activities
1. TI Nepal Chapter (TIN) 1995 Civil society coalition against
corruption.
2. Pro-Public 1996 Protection of consumer rights,
environment and good governance.
3. SWATI 2002 Promoting Good Governance through
women‟s empowerment
4. Research and Media Centre
against Corruption (ReMAC)
2003 Study, research, information and media
center for good governance and
anticorruption movement.
5. Anticorruption Project
Corporate Ethics Forum/
FNCCI
2003 Implementing Code of Conduct and
fighting corruption on behalf of
business community
6. Forum against Corruption and
Transparency (FACT)
2000 Research and Policy Analysis on Good
Governance and Corruption
7. Swatantra Bichar Manch
(SWBIM)
N/A Governance
8. Sachet Nagarik Nepal (CCN) N/A Good Governance through
sensitization
9. Bhrastachar Viruddha
Rashtriya Abhiyan, Nepal
2003 Good Governance through
mobilization of civil society
10. Sisnopani Nepal 2000 Mobilization of Comedian Actors for
Good Governance
11. South Asia Partnership (SAP)
Nepal
Community Development and Good
Governance
12. Action for Community
Development, Nepal (COACT)
2004 Empowerment of Disadvantaged
Group through Good Governance
13. Institute of Governance and
Development (IGD)
N/A Good Governance
14. Centre for study of Democracy
and Governance (CSDG)
2000 Promotion of Democratic Institutions,
and Good Governance
10
Couple of interesting observations could be made from the overview of civil society involvement
in anticorruption drive in Nepal. First, there is proliferation of anticorruption NGOs. If some
NGOs are specifically involved in anticorruption drive, other NGOs have taken up anticorruption
activities with the availability of donor funds. The list of names mentioned in Table 1 reflects
only those NGOs actively involved at the national level.
Second, the anticorruption NGOs are heavily involved in advocacy programmes. These include
anticorruption awareness raising campaigns, media advocacy, training, workshops and seminars
on anticorruption issues, anticorruption and ethic education programmes for youths and students.
There are less number of NGOs involved in corruption monitoring activities and still less number
in organizing anticorruption research works. Pro-Public may be the only organization involved in
anticorruption monitoring activities. Heavy involvement of anticorruption NGOs in advocacy
programmes may have helped to generate "demands" for good governance but in the absence of
supplying agencies, there is lopsided development in anticorruption and good governance
activities in Nepal.
Third, almost all NGOs have donor support in implementing anticorruption activities. Due to
donor dependency, the sustainability of the activities is highly questionable as the programmes
are implemented on an ad hoc basis concentrating basically in Kathmandu and some other urban
centers. Corruption problems are as much serious in rural areas in Nepal as in urban areas. It is
the rural poor who are affected by the corruption in the delivery of public services like health,
education, drinking water, electricity and other services. This has also led to the question of
institutionalizing anticorruption movement in Nepal.
Fourth, the role of media in anticorruption drive is unique in Nepal. The journalists covering
anticorruption news stories have, so far, seen as the primary contributors in publishing books
related to anticorruption in Nepal. The journalists have published a number of books uncovering
corruption stories. However, given the political orientation of news media, there is a lack of
media independency and subsequent covering of corruption news stories.
11
3. PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
In this chapter, attempts have been made to assess the log frame built into the project documents
and to analyze the achievement and/or non-achievements based on the log frame of the ReMAC
and SWATI. The logical frameworks prepared by these projects were taken as the basis for
evaluation of performance under this heading. Attempts have been made to correlate the
objectives and target taken by these organizations with the verifiable indicators and measurable
outputs.
3.1 Assessment of ReMAC Project
3.1.1 Description of Log Frame Analysis
The ReMAC project entitled "Media Initiative for Civic Resistance against
Corruption"(MICRaC) has one development objective, two immediate objectives, four outputs
and several activities under each output (Table 2). The output-wise distribution of budget was as
follows: 42 percent for Output 1, 26 percent for Output 2, 5 percent for Output 3 and 27 percent
for Output 4. Obviously, Output 1, Output 2 and Output 4 could be taken as priority level outputs
for the ReMAC project.
The "promotion of culture of good governance through combating corruption" has been
mentioned as the development objective of the project. The immediate objectives; outputs and
activities mentioned in the project document are to some extent consistent with the needs and
priorities of the country. Normally, development objectives tend to be ambitious and cannot be
expected to achieve within a short span of time. Therefore, more reasonable approach will be to
evaluate the project on the basis of immediate objectives, outputs and activities. Out of the three
immediate objectives (Table 2), two objectives, namely, (1) sensitization of public and (2)
motivation of media people are consistent with the ReMAC missions and objectives. However,
the third objective – mobilization of students for anticorruption issues – does not seem to be
compatible with ReMAC's area of operations and specialization. Mere allocation of 5 percent of
the total budget for this immediate objective (Output 3) also indicates a degree of inconsistency
in the project outputs and activities.
12
Table 2: LOGICAL FRAMEWORK OF ReMAC
Narrative Summary Objectively Verifiable
Indicators
Means of Verification
Development Objective
Promoting culture of good
governance in Nepal through
combating corruption.
Improvement in governance
system
Evaluation reports and
governance indicators
published by the World Bank
Immediate Objectives
To sensitize public on the
vices corruption.
Discussion and radio
programme on good
governance and anticorruption.
Radio listeners‟ survey
To motivate media persons to
report good governance issues
and anticorruption
Media persons engaged in
anticorruption reporting.
Corruption stories covered by
different print and electronic
media.
Regular follow-up of
anticorruption news stories.
Progress and completion
reports.
News-scan surveys
News-scan surveys
To mobilize students on
research and advocacy task in
relation to good governance
and anticorruption
University theses/dissertations
on good governance and anti-
corruption.
Issues of good governance and
anti- corruption become the
subject matter for deliberations.
Progress and completion
reports.
Research/dissertations reports
Seminar reports.
Outputs
Output No.1
People sensitized on good
governance and anticorruption
through the use of different
types of media.
Number of radio programmes
produced and broadcasted and
discussion forum held.
Progress and completion
reports.
Output No.2
Investigative skills of media
persons covering
anticorruption enhanced.
Number of trained journalists
Number of investigative story
published.
Progress and completion
reports.
Training reports
Published investigative
13
Narrative Summary Objectively Verifiable
Indicators
Means of Verification
stories
Output No.3
University students engaged
in good governance and
anticorruption research and
mobilized for the advocacy
task.
Number of research activities
Seminar in colleges.
Progress and completion
reports.
Research/dissertations reports
Seminar reports
Output No.4
Organizational capacity of
ReMAC enhanced
Number of documents, research
on corruption.
Progress and completion
report. Research report.
Activities under Output 1
1.1) Production and
broadcasting of radio
programme through
community radio
78 Radio programmes
produced and broadcasted
through 10 community radios.
Progress and completion
reports.
1.2) Regulars discussion
forums on good
governance and
anticorruption organized.
18 Discussion programme held Progress and completion
reports.
Activities Under Output 2
2.1) Production and
distribution of training
manual and reference
books on investigative
reporting of corruption
cases.
200 Copies of training manuals
and 200 copies of reference
books distributed.
Progress and completion
reports
2.2) Training/ workshops on
investigative reporting
against corruption
organized in different
parts of Nepal
3 Regional level training
programme held in Biratnagar,
Pokhara and Nepalgunj with a
total of 75 participants
Reports on training
programme
2.3) Awarding of fellowships
to 9 outstanding
participating journalists
9 Investigative stories based on
local issues of corruption will
be published as a book.
Book published
14
Narrative Summary Objectively Verifiable
Indicators
Means of Verification
(3 from each region) to
carry out investigative
reporting as follow-up of
training programme.
Activities Under Output 3
3.1) Awarding of fellowships
to research students from
5 different faculties of
local universities seeking
to conduct research on
good governance and
corruption.
5 Fellowships awarded to
university students
Research/dissertations reports
3.2) Organizing seminars for
college going students on
good governance and
corruption.
A minimum of 360 college
students participate in 12
seminars
Seminar reports.
Activities Under Output 4
4.1) Establishing ReMAC as
an Anticorruption
Resource Centre.
A number of corruption cased,
information on good
governance and anticorruption
available to the public.
Progress and completion
reports.
Research reports, press
releases.
4.2) Conducting a research on
the effectiveness of
government‟s
anticorruption legislation,
policy and institutional
mechanism.
Number of people visiting
resources center.
Number of recommendations
made to the government
agencies on various issues
related to good governance and
anti- corruption.
Research report
3.1.2 Achievement and Non-achievement
There are a total of four outputs and nine activities mentioned in the Project Document.
Achievement and/or non-achievement of these outputs and activities are described in this
section. Detail information on performance assessment is provided in Annex 2.
15
Output One: Sensitization of People on Good Governance and Anticorruption
Under this output, production and broadcasting of 78 radio programmes including re-
broadcasting of these programmes through 10 community based radios and organizing 18
discussion programs on good governance and anticorruption issues were planned over the project
period of 18 months.
The programmes were broadcasted in the morning prime time, indicating wide coverage. Most of
the broadcasting materials were developed out of the discussion programmes organized by
ReMAC. The issues covered were topical and were found to be well received by the listeners.
The listeners have found the technical quality of the programmes to be satisfactory. During the
field visits, the listeners interviewed by the study team, appreciated the content of the
programmes. The radio stations have given positive response to the programmes and suggested
the study team that the effectiveness of the programmes would have increased if the programmes
were produced and broadcasted in local languages. The study team also observed that all
programmes produced were not broadcasted, as there were some delays in signing of the
agreements with local FM stations.
A total of 18 discussion programmes were planned during the project period. Out of this,
seventeen programmes were organized at the time of project evaluation. The programmes
covered various topical issues related to anticorruption and good governance. A total of 708
participants participated in 17 discussion programmes giving an average of 41 participants per
programme. All these programmes were held in Kathmandu valley. Based on the proceedings of
the discussion programmes and the consultation held with the stakeholders and the participants,
the study team found that the programmes were in conformity with the stated objectives of the
project.
Output Two: Enhancing Investigative Skills of the Journalists
Under this output, two activities were performed. The first one was to produce 200 copies of
training manual and reference books and the second was to organize three regional-level
training-cum-workshops on investigative reporting against corruption to media personnel. The
first activity was planned for facilitating the second one because after designing and producing
the training manual and reference books, the training-cum-workshops were to be organized.
Hence, these two activities were supposed to be organized in a sequential manner. However,
there was delay in preparing the training material (manual and reference books) and
subsequently, the regional-level training programmes could not be held as per the schedule
thereby further affecting on awarding of fellowships and the publicizing of case material
16
prepared by the trainees. The delay in the preparation of the training manual and reference book
also affected on the implementation of the project itself because the project had to be extended
by three months starting from June to the end of September 2007.
The study team also found that the training manual and the reference book prepared by ReMAC
were not in conformity with the general training norms. Especially, the training materials were
found to be sub-standard in terms of curriculum, form and the format of training. The study team
revealed that ReMAC has gained some experience on such training held in September 2004 in
Kathmandu. The selection of consultant for preparing these valuable materials could not be
justifiable (regarding the eligibility, expertise and TOR etc).The published training manual was,
more or less, a replication of the reference book giving a room to speculate on the quality. The
lack of adequate system to select the consultants to prepare training manual and the reference
book might have affected on the quality of produced materials.
Three training programmes were organized in Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Biratnagar. A total of 78
journalists coming from print and electronic media sectors participated in the training
programmes. The study team had an opportunity to observe one of the training programmes
organized in Biratnagar. During the observation, the evaluation team found the training
programme was not organized in a professional manner. The time management for training and
use of training aids were found to be major limiting factors of that training. There are not
adequate training aids and available training aids were not fully utilized. The trainees too were
selected on an ad hoc basis because there were no definite criteria for selecting the trainees other
than personal contacts and recommendations from NFJ and the Press Council of Nepal.
One of the activities tied with the training program was to award three fellowships to the trainees
submitting best proposal and hence a total of nine fellowships had to be awarded in three training
programmes. Each fellowship carried a sum of NRs 10,000. By the time of evaluation study,
ReMAC has not collected final reports from the training fellows5. Since the training programmes
were started late and had remained incomplete to the date of evaluation, it is very difficult to pass
judgment on effectiveness of the activities.
Output Three: Mobilization of University Students
Under this output, a total of five fellowships were to be awarded to the university-level post
graduate level students in writing dissertation on anticorruption and good governance issues and
to organize 12 seminars on anticorruption and good governance to the college level students.
5 However during the finalization of this evaluation report, the ReMAC has commented that it has received all the
nine fellowships and it is in the way to publish these. ReMAC has already sent those publications to the press.
17
Five fellowships were awarded to the master-level students. The students were from law, public
administration, rural development, journalism and mass communications, sociology and
anthropology. The processes and decision of awarding fellowships were entirely left to the
concerned faculty heads. During the course of evaluation, the study team found that the response
from the students were very low. This could be either due to the lack of transparency in the
distribution of the fellowships or due to the lack of adequate incentives. However, the study team
found that a fellowship awarded for the corruption news scan study to have some positive
impacts.
ReMAC was able to organize all of the twelve college-level seminars. A total of 365 students
participated in these seminars. Since no records were made available to the evaluation team on
the seminar proceedings, it is difficult to pass judgment on the effectiveness of these college
level seminars. Furthermore, all of the seminars were organized in the colleges established
within the Kathmandu Valley.
Output Four: Organizational Capacity Development of ReMAC
Under this output, two activities were planned - establishment of Anticorruption Resource Centre
within ReMAC and a research study on evaluating the effectiveness of anticorruption laws,
policies and institution in Nepal.
ReMAC has established an Anticorruption Resource Centre. It has acquired over 200 books
relating to good governance, corruption and anticorruption. The inventories include Nepal
Gazette, Supreme Court Decisions on anticorruption cases, and in-house publications. However,
there was deficiency in the dissemination part. Similarly, ReMAC has maintained its web site but
it has not been updated till the time this report was prepared. The general public has not properly
utilized the Resource Center. About 50 visitors have, so far, visited the Resource Centre and
many of them are ReMAC members. Hence, it could be said that the Resource Center was not
properly utilized. Frequent shifting of ReMAC premise from one place to another has also
affected on the maintenance and accessibility of the Resource Centre.
A single research study was planned in the project which was to evaluate the effectiveness of
anticorruption legislation, policy and institutions in Nepal. There were considerable delays in
hiring the researcher and the frequent changes of the researchers also affected on the timely
completion and quality of the research output. The research study was more of a compilation of
documents rather than a serious research work. This activity was not in conformity with the
project output, i.e., developing institutional capacity of ReMAC.
18
3.1.3 Stakeholders' Perspective
The study team found that many stakeholders were familiar with ReMAC objectives and
functions. Stakeholders also opined the need for involvement of the organizations like ReMAC
in creating awareness against corruption. Some of the stakeholders also appreciated ReMAC
project. However, some stakeholder realized the presence of misunderstandings among the
members of ReMAC and suggested for harmonizing the relationships.
In general, the stakeholders opined the efforts of the ReMAC to be encouraging. They also
opined that similar project activities, with some adaptation in the content and coverage, should
be implemented in the days to come. As most of the activities planned under ReMAC were
urban-centric, they suggested that the activities should be extended to rural and semi-urban areas
as well.
As regards to the support to media, the stakeholders were of the view that media people were
mostly interested in investigating the corruption cases. They were more offenders rather than the
educator for abhorring the corruption in general. However, the effectiveness of the media people
in exposing the corrupt people among the public was found to be praiseworthy. The stakeholders
suggested for the continuation of anticorruption activities through other civil society
organizations too and media based organizations.
3.2 Assessment of SWATI Project
3.2.1 Description of Log Frame Analysis
The SWATI project entitled "Combating Corruption through Women’s Empowerment and
Development” has one development objective, two immediate objectives, three outputs and
several activities under each output. The output-wise distribution of budget was as follows: 17
percent for Output 1, 57 percent for Output 2, and 26 percent for Output 3. A large portion of the
budget was allocated to launching anticorruption campaigns like media campaigns, ward-level
interactions, cultural programmes and street drama.
"Creating a corruption-free society through gender mainstreaming” has been mentioned as the
development objective of the project. The development objective of the project is limited, as
corruption-free society can‟t be expected to be created alone through gender mainstreaming.
There are various components in anticorruption drive like: civil society, the private sector, the
government, media, NGOs, INGOs. etc
19
Two immediate objectives namely, (1) promoting women leadership and creating alliance and
(2) empowering women to fight against corruption are consistent with SWATI's mission and
objectives.
Inclusion of community level women in anticorruption drive as one of the immediate objective is
supportive in achieving the objective of the organization.
Table 3: LOGICAL FRAMEWORK OF SWATI
Narrative Summary Objectively Verifiable
Indicators
Means of Verification
Development Objective
Creating a corruption free
society through gender
mainstreaming.
Corruption reduced
Increased gender
mainstreaming
Corruption Perception Index
published by Transparency
International.
Gender Empowerment index
published by UNDP
Project Evaluation Report.
Immediate Objectives
To promote women
leadership and strategic
alliance among women from
various sectors
National level network of
women WAC established
Formation of Corruption
Reduction Women Pressure
Groups (CRWPGSs)
Increased membership of
CRWPGs
WAC name list
Workshop reports
Project Evaluation Report
To empower women to fight
against corruption
Number and variety of anti-
corruption awareness raising
program organized by
CRWPGSs)
Social campaign against
corruption launched by
CRWPGs and women‟s
network
Workshop report
Project Evaluation Report
Outputs
Output No.1
Impact of corruption on
Corruption related women‟s
issues identified
Progress Report
20
Narrative Summary Objectively Verifiable
Indicators
Means of Verification
women identified
Interaction programmes on the
impact of corruption on women
held.
Project Completion Report
Evaluation Report
Output No.2
Women sensitized on the
impact of corruption
Number of media campaign
launched
Number of ward level
interactions held
Number of anticorruption
culture programmes launched
Number of street dramas with
anticorruption theme launched
Project Evaluation Report
Information, Education and
Communication (IEC) material
and newsletters.
Output No.3
Social Reform Act 2033
(1977) revisited
Proposed draft bill on Social
Reform
Draft Social reform Bill
Activities Under Output 1
1.1) Organization of district
level workshops on
impact of corruption on
women.
Five district level workshops
organized and attended by 250
participants
Workshop report
Progress Report
Project Completion Report
1.2) Organization of
national level
workshops on impact
of corruption on
women.
Two day national level
workshop organized and
attended by 60 participants.
Network called Women against
corruption (WAC) formed
Workshop report
Progress Report
Project Completion Report
1.3) Organization of
interaction programmes
with association of
housewives.
Three interaction programmes
organized with the associations
of housewives‟ attended by 180
participants
Workshop report
Progress Report
Project Completion Report
Activities under Output 2
2.1) Organization of media
campaign
1000 Posters with
anticorruption theme produced
5000 Pamphlets/flyers with
anticorruption theme produced.
Poster, pamphlets/flyers,
newsletters
Progress Report
Project Completion Report
21
Narrative Summary Objectively Verifiable
Indicators
Means of Verification
500 Anticorruption newsletters
produced quarterly
2.2) Organization of ward
level interaction
programme
12 Ward level interaction
programmes organized in six
districts.
Progress Report
-Project Completion Report
2.3) Organization of
anticorruption culture
programmes
18 Cultural programmes with
anticorruption theme organized
in six districts.
Progress Report
Project Completion Report
2.4) Organization of street
dramas with
anticorruption theme
18 Street dramas with
anticorruption theme organized
in six districts.
-Progress Report
Project Completion Report
Activities under Output 3
3.1) Organization of
consultative workshop
One consultative workshop
organized
Meeting minutes
3.2) Organization of
CRWLG meetings on
draft Social Reform
Bill
Three CRWLG meetings held
on proposed draft Social
Reform Bill
Draft Social Reform Bill
3.3) Organization of
advocacy meetings on
draft Social Reform
Bill
Five advocacy meetings
organized with the
stakeholders.
Meeting minutes
3.4) Awareness raising on
draft Social Reform
Bill
Ten transmission through two
TV Channels
Ten public messages published
in two daily broadsheets.
Progress Report
Media Clippings
Project Completion Report
3.2.2 Achievement and Non Achievement
SWATI has laid down three Outputs, and eleven activities to achieve the objectives. The
activities include the production of promotional material and distribution, workshops/seminar/
interaction, cultural progarm, advocacy meeting, discussion programme, training &seminars.
SWATI has performed all its stipulated activities in due course of time. Achievement of these
22
outputs and activities are described in this section. Detail information on performance
assessment is provided in Annex 2.
Output One: Impact of Corruption on Women identified
Under this output, 5 district level workshop, a national level workshop and 3 interaction
programmes were planned to achieve the stated objective.
Five district level workshops in respective district were conducted as targeted. The
targeted numbers of participants were 250 whereas the achievement figure shows 295
participants. These workshops were found effective in delivering and identifying the
issues relating to the message on impact of corruption on women. Being a quite new and
interesting thematic issue, people were interested to participate actively. It was also found
that the concerned line agencies and stakeholders participated due to interest in the
subject, social ethics and responsibility. The study team found that due to limited
logistics support and hall facilities in the districts, SWATI could not accommodate the
desired number of participants. At the district level workshops, the impacts of corruption
on women were discussed and issues were identified.
The study team found two-day national level workshop on impact of corruption on
women organized and attended by 60 participants per day as per the target set. A total of
200 participants out of the targeted 180 participants had participated in the Housewives‟
association like Engineers‟ Wives‟ Association, Doctors‟ Wives‟ Association, Armies‟
Wives‟ Association, etc. The project activity's impact was found to be positive in the
longer run period.
Initiation was taken to form a network called Women Against Corruption (WAC) after
the completion of five district level workshops, three interactions with House Wives
Associations and National level workshop.
Output Two: Women Sensitized on Impact of Corruption
Under this output, organization of media campaign, 12 ward level interaction program, 18
cultural programmes, and 18 street dramas were planned to be organized.
Anticorruption related posters (1000), pamphlets (5000) and newsletters (2000) published
and distributed. The contents of the message were catchy and informative. The posters
were distributed during the programmes like ward level interaction programme, district
level workshops, interaction programmes with Housewives‟ association, national
23
workshop, office visitors, concerned stakeholders and line agencies. Likewise, the
posters were pasted in the public places like government offices premises, banks, major
market centers etc. However, the evaluation team is of the view that the impact of this
activity could not remain for a longer-term because the posters were distributed and
pasted somewhere in public places which could not last for longer period. And there was
no monitoring, follow up and feed back mechanism adopted during and after the
distribution of such materials.
Twelve ward level interaction programmes were organized in six districts where, the total
number of participants reached up to 481. There was an active participation and the
participants shared their incidence and observations on corruption. The establishment of
SWATI in district level was found to be in nascent stage; hence, it was quite difficult to
convince and motivate the people regarding the programme and objectives of the
organization. During the field visit, participants expressed their view that such types of
interaction programmes were relevant, lively and effective. However, there was some
misunderstanding regarding the allowances provided to participants because some
participants coming from remote areas were found to be expecting transportation
allowance too.
Eighteen culture programme (Teej. Deusi and Bhailo) with anticorruption theme were
conducted in six districts as scheduled. The objective was to disseminate anticorruption
message through Teej, Deusi and Bhailo songs. The study team found that the addressing
of social issues in social events were very much effective and efficient. As the number of
events that occurred met the target and the message of the programme was relayed and
were well received, it could be inferred that it will have a positive impact in the long run.
The study team found the activity much efficient in achieving the objective of creating
awareness, which was proved by the replication of the activities during the Teej festival
this year without the outside support.
Eighteen Street dramas were organized with a view to disseminate the message of
anticorruption in six districts as per the stated target. The study team found the activity
much efficient in achieving the objective of creating awareness. The street drama has
been more effective in semi busy cities/urban area than busy market places.
24
Output Three: Social Reform Act 2033 Revisited
Under this output, 3 meetings of Corruption Reduction Women Legal Group (CRWLG) were
organized to revisit Social Reform Act 2033. Similarly, a consultative meeting, 5 advocacy
meetings, and transmission through TV channels were planned.
The Draft Social Reform Bill was prepared after the inputs from three CRWLG meetings.
A team of CRWLG also had a series of informal meetings on the proposed Draft Social
Reform Bill.
To update the proposed Draft Social Reform Bill, one-day consultative workshop was
organized in Kathmandu. The workshop was attended in by the stakeholders. However,
the evaluation team has the opinion that the draft would have been more effective if, in
addition to meetings and consultative workshop, the relevant studies on similar subjects
in neighboring countries were carried out.
Five advocacy meetings were held with stakeholders to discuss on how to advocate for
the implementation of the Draft Social Reform Bill. The advocacy meetings came up
with suggestions to submit the draft on Social Reform Bill to the Ministry of Women,
Children and Social Welfare. The meetings also decided for media advocacy. The
evaluation team, while going through the documents, found that the meetings were able
to provide inputs for further refinements in the Draft Social Reform Bill.
For the purpose of raising awareness in the Draft Social Reform Bill, ten transmissions
were telecasted through TV Channels as per the target. It was found that SWATI has
received a positive feedback from the public, stakeholders and the concerned government
authorities. On the basis of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency, this activity was
found effective and meaningful.
3.2.3 Stakeholders' Perspective
The Study team found that many stakeholders at district level like ProPublic, Government
Agencies, INGOs, and NGOs are familiar with the main objective and the activities of SWATI.
There was a unanimous view of the various stakeholders on the need of the organization like
SWATI and its involvement in anticorruption issues at the awareness, analysis and lobbying
level. The stakeholders appreciated the role performed by the project under,” Combating
Corruption through Women’s empowerment and Development”.
25
Even if the corruption cannot be eliminated, the magnitude of corruption could be decreased
drastically. For this to happen, preventive and promotional measures should be taken. In this
context, the role-played by SWATI was commendable with modest support from the donor and
the government. The study team found that the stakeholders raised question on sustainability of
such activities. In this regard, the government must be able to consolidate the activities of the
civil society, private sector and the government. In this context, Public Private Partnership
model could be more useful, effective and efficient.
The study team found that in order to develop network in grass root level, SWATI has initiated
the income generating activities like candle making training, beautician training, beads weaving,
Paper bags etc.
26
4. INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY ASSESSMENT
In order to appraise ReMAC and SWATI as the institution to carry out future programmes on
anticorruption, the assessment of institutional capacity of both organizations are made in this
chapter. SWOT analysis is taken as a tool for the assessment of institutional capacity of
organizations.
4.1 SWOT Analysis for ReMAC
The information for this SWOT analysis is based on the personal observation made by the
evaluation team, consultation meetings held with the stakeholders, meeting and interviewing
with the office bearers and the staff members of ReMAC. Summary of ReMAC SWOT analysis
is presented in Table 4.
Table 4: ReMAC SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Promoted by youths working in the field of
media, law and research works
Focused area of operation, i.e., anticorruption
and good governance
Good institutional linkages
Adequate office infrastructure
Weakness
Lack of institutional capacity in terms of
knowledge, work experience and
management systems
Lack of financial independence
Lack of monitoring and evaluation
Frequent staff turnovers
Intra-organizational conflicts
Opportunities
Anticorruption as a national agenda of
development
Increased donor support
Threats
Political instability
Growing competition in the operational area
27
Strengths
ReMAC is promoted by the group of young journalists, lawyers, researchers and academicians.
At present, there are 50 members representing from different print and electronic media sectors.
The focused area of operation of ReMAC is to promote good governance through combating
corruption.
Weaknesses
Presently, the strengths of ReMAC are outweighed by it weaknesses. The organization lacks
proper management systems and procedures reflected by growing organizational conflicts
between the executive members and the project staff thereby hampering the smooth
implementation of project activities. During the course of the evaluation, the study team found
that there was less teamwork and coordination within ReMAC. There was lack of commitments
to meet deadlines. The frequent changes in the hiring and positioning of the consultants have also
hampered ReMAC operations. The study team also found that ReMAC did not have a proper
system of monitoring and evaluation of its activities. The self sustainability of the organization is
lacking and thus ReMAC is totally dependent on donor support for its existence.
Opportunities
Anticorruption and good governance are the area of operation of ReMAC. There are many
opportunities and potentialities to work in this area, as anticorruption and good governance have
recently become a big agenda of development both at global and national level. This is also
indicated by increasing donor support. ReMAC, being a civil society based media organization
dedicated to fight corruption, has immense opportunities to work in this field.
Threats
ReMAC is not lone organization to work on fighting against corruption; there are numbers of
organizations already established to take up activities relating to media and corruption. Hence,
the field of operation is getting more and more competitive. In the absence of proper business
planning, ReMAC could easily be wiped out by the new arrivals. Other equally potential threat
for ReMAC operations are the growing political instability within the country. As Nepal is in the
stage of political transition, anticorruption agenda has some how been sidelined by the politicians
other politically sensitive issues like state restructuring, social inclusion, democracy and human
rights are in prominence.
28
Conclusions
To sum up, ReMAC is not expected to tap opportunities now available in the field of
anticorruption and good governance due to lack of proper internal management systems and
procedures. The weaknesses of ReMAC particularly related to internal conflict and lack of
coordination outweighs its strengths. Since, Danida/HUGOU is the lone supporter for ReMAC,
with the closure of the support, ReMAC, as an institution, may collapse.
4.2 SWOT Analysis for SWATI
Strengths
Proactive and committed members
Branch offices in districts
Parallel income generating activities
Dedicated and competent staff
Government Friendly- Harmonious relationship
with government organizations and officials
Weakness
Weak resource base
District office not well equipped
Opportunities
Potentiality on carrying out various programs at
district as well as at central level.
Possibility of gaining various Donors' support for
anticorruption activities.
Strong networking of women from various
sectors.
Lead anticorruption organization working on
gender and corruption
Threats
Political instability
Competition
Strengths
SWATI was established by pro-active and committed women activists fighting against the cause
of corruption. It has a central office in Kathmandu valley and five district level offices in
29
Nepalgunj, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Jhapa and Birgunj. It has a good networking developed from
district level to central level. The women groups (network) have heterogeneous members in
terms of caste, race, social status, education, religion and occupation. It's Kathmandu based
central office is well equipped with required official amenities. The members and staffs are
committed and dedicated to their assignment. It is engaged in a parallel way in other women
empowerment and income generating activities like training, counseling, study, workshops,
advocacy, lobby etc. Moreover, SWATI has a long-term sustainability program too. It is
mobilizing women pressure groups‟ to fight against corruption. It has also been involved in
various study/workshop/training/seminar encompassing the gender and corruption issues. The
main focal areas of SWATI are conducting research, training, awareness training, advocacy etc.
Weakness
The district level offices are not well equipped with required official facilities. Weak resource
base and inadequate financial resource mobilization are some of the weakness of SWATI.
Opportunities
As a leading organization from the gender perspective engaged in anticorruption, there is high
possibility of having different anticorruption projects from various donors. There is an
opportunity using WAC as a women force against corruption. There is a possibility of expansion
of nationwide network of women covering different sectors. It is one of the well- recognized as a
reputed leading national level organizations working in anticorruption activities. As SWATI is in
the process of mainstreaming women in corruption mitigation campaign, Government of Nepal
having policy to empower women in good governance and national development, may support
SWATI to develop platform to work on gender and anticorruption. NGOs from the region and
the nation are supportive to SWATI activities.
Threats
The political instability could be a threat. There is a possibility of facing financial problem if the
donor support is withdrawn. Team member‟s enthusiasm may decline due to lack of
anticorruption activities.
Conclusions
The comparative study of the strengths, opportunities, weakness and threat for SWATI reveals
that its network for conducting activities is good, and there is high possibility of sustaining. With
its committed staff and members, SWATI has potential in carrying out awareness raising
30
activities against corruption at different levels. Similarly, SWATI can mobilize its Women
Against Corruption (WAC) network for the expansion and active involvement on the
anticorruption activities. Women being the major player and victim of the corruption, SWATI
with its goal of mainstreaming women in anticorruption movement, has a greater possibility of
gaining support from many sectors. Therefore, support for SWATI need to be continued to see
the major impact in the society.
31
5. FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the analysis of logical framework and performance indicators of the projects and the
other sources of information like field visit, meeting with the stakeholders, office staffs,
executive members and training attendees, the major conclusions and the recommendations are
made in this chapter. It also will help to facilitate providing the suggestions.
5.1 Findings and Conclusions
The Civil Society movement against corruption started in Nepal from early nineties with the
establishment of Transparency International Nepal Chapter in 1996. The focus of the assistance
to the civil society was confined to awareness building and analysis of the corruption issues.
However, the media and the civil society working in the area of women empowerment have a
special role to play in curbing corruption. The media and the civil society have a role in
investigating and exposing corruption cases and it can play all three roles of anticorruption
strategy, viz. awareness raising, prevention and enforcement.
5.1.1 ReMAC
ReMAC was able to achieve the physical targets set forth in the project document with some
exceptions as shown in annex 2. It has been successful in carrying out the activities under
different output headings like sensitizing the people on good governance, enhancing
investigative skills of media persons, and enhancing organizational capacity of ReMAC.
However, for the research and advocacy task in good governance and the anticorruption, the
involvement of the university students seems awkward.
In overall, the performance activities of ReMAC were found to be satisfactory. These have been
successful in achieving the broader objectives i.e. promoting the culture of good governance in
Nepal through combating corruption. In the case of sensitizing the people through the use of
different types of media activities like production and broadcasting programmes through the
community radio, and regular discussion programme on good governance and anticorruption,
study team would like to infer that the programme activities have proven to create an impact.
This is evidenced by the field visit observations and their memoirs on the programme on
“SUSHASHAN”.
32
Under Output two, the activity of the preparation of the reference books and the training manual
were not completed in the set deadlines. The efficiency in producing the training manual was
also questionable considering the contents of the manual. The delay in the preparation of the
manual also affected the scheduling of training programme, thereby delaying the training
programme and other activities.
Under Output three, University students engaged in Good Governance and anticorruption
research and mobilization for advocacy tasks were carried out by awarding fellowship to training
participants. Judged from the relevance point of view, the activity could not be said to be much
in coherence with the objectives of the project.
Under Output four, in enhancing the organizational capacity of ReMAC as Anticorruption
Resource Centre by conducting various activities like establishment of ReMAC, the study team„s
findings are that the organizational capacity strengthening of ReMAC was not up to the mark
which was reflected by the impact, efficiency and the sustainability aspects.
Some specific findings are enumerated below:
Listeners, stakeholders and community appreciated the community radio program on
SHUSASAN.
Four Project steering committee meting were held between Danida/HUGOU and
ReMAC
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) System during the project period was missing.
Training was conducted without Training for Trainers (ToT)
The training need assessment was not carried out as an essential component of training
model.
The Project is donor dependent.
The individual project‟s visibility has not been observed in the general public.
The project period was short, and different political regime prevailed during the course of
project formulation, implementation and evaluation. The envisaged activities could not
meet the deadlines.
On 4th
August 2006, an extraordinary PSC meeting was held to settle the issues relating
to institutional governance, viz, the involvement of the Project Director in other donor-
33
funded activities plus the involvement of the chairman as a consultant in the research
component of the project.
5.1.2 SWATI
SWATI was able to achieve the physical targets set forth in the project document. It has been
successful in carrying out the activities under different output headings like identification of
impact of corruption on women, sensitizing the women groups on the impact of corruption, and
revising the Social Reform Act 2033 B.S. were carried out. Besides, SWATI was involved in
conducing workshops/seminar, interaction programme, media campaign, ward level interaction,
cultural programme, street drama, and preparation of Draft Social Reform Bill. However, it
could be inferred that during the formulation of the Draft Social Reform Bill, the lessons learned
in similar situation in different neighboring countries have not been taken as the reference and
studied in detail.
In overall, the performance activities of SWATI were significant in achieving the broader
objectives of creating a corruption free society through gender mainstreaming. Very few
activities and the content of the quality in some areas need more attention as in the case of Draft
Social Reform Bill.
Under the Output three, Social Reform Act 2033 was revisited. Various programme like
consultative workshop were conducted to achieve the output. Since the Social Reform Act Draft
Bill has been prepared and the effectiveness of the activity was achieved whereas the long-term
impact is still to be observed after the real implementation of amended Social Reform Act 2033.
Based on the performance, program coverage and effectiveness of the SWATI‟s program on
good governance and anticorruption, it could be concluded that the best practices of SWATI
activities should be replicated in other areas of the country. There needs broader coverage and
extension of SWATI or SWATI like projects in order to create awareness among general public
and to launch other sensitizing programs including the media campaigning.
Some specific findings for SWATI are enumerated below:
With in a short span of time SWATI has been recognized as one of the leading women
organization working in anticorruption activities
The media campaign especially posters wall pasting is not effective due to short life of
pasted posters.
34
Culture program seems very effective tools for public awareness campaign especially in
rural areas.
The Project is donor dependent.
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) System during the project period was missing.
Though whenever needed informal meetings were held with Danida/HUGOU Anti
Corruption Advisor, not a single meeting of Project Steering Committee could be held.
The project visibilities were observed in certain project areas and it needs to reach
maximum numbers of people by extension of those areas and the activities. The project
period was short, and different political regime prevailed during the course of project
formulation, implementation and evaluation.
5.2 Recommendations
Based on the evaluation parameter of the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and
sustainability of the both projects viz, ReMAC and SWATI, the evaluation team would like to
put the following general recommendations for both of these projects.
In Nepal, corruption is deep rooted and institutionalized. It will take some time for
combating corruption, it is in this context, the study team would like to suggest for the
extension of the project for unfinished work and for further coverage to replicate the
lessons learned and the best practices of the project. While doing so, it is also suggested
that among the two projects, the pros and cons and the effectiveness and efficiency of the
output of the projects should be properly taken into account.
In Nepal, demand side of corruption is strongly institutionalized and the task of breaking
it is arduous. In order to accelerate the combating corruption process, it is suggested to
develop strategies and modus operandi focusing supply side awareness building,
advocacy, policy lobbying and analysis of the cause of corruption
5.2.1 Related to Log Frame Analysis
Based on the available document review, consultations and interaction with the stakeholders, the
study team suggests the development objective could be similar in both projects (ReMAC and
SWATI). The development objective for both projects could be, “to create corruption free
35
society” Moreover, it could be taken as a national goal on anticorruption by civil society
organizations.
The development objective of the SWATI “Creating a corruption free society through gender
mainstreaming” seems specific which focuses on gender perspective alone. It is suggested that
the development objective should encompass the broader perspective not confined to the gender
perspective alone. And similarly, in the immediate objectives of SWATI too, it is suggested to
incorporate one additional immediate objective i.e. to mainstream women (from grass root to
central level) in anticorruption campaign. As the project envisages combating corruption through
the participation of the people at the grass root, the inclusion of the women from grass root to
national level is essential.
5.2.2 Related to Output and Activities
5.2.2.1 ReMAC
Output one: Sensitization of People on Good Governance and Anticorruption
In order to have more listeners‟ coverage, the production and broadcasting of programme
through community radio should be expanded by involving more FM stations for the
transmission. Similarly, the administrative works such as signing of the contract with
local FM stations should be carried out in advance so that the scheduled programs run
smoothly.
The field visit and the consultation meeting with the stakeholders have revealed that it
would have been better if the project activities had covered the local issues, issues
covering the views of corruption culprit and corruption victims.
While conducting regular Discussion Forum on Good Governance and anticorruption for
the purpose of standardization and consistency it is suggested that the venue should be
selected with due care to give better impression, visibility and standard of the activities
carried out.
Output Two: Enhancing Investigative Skills of the Media Person
In the context of production and distribution of training manual and reference book on
investigative reporting, it is recommended that major changes should be made in the
training manual following the Motivation, Information, Application and Control (MIAC)
36
and or similar other models for efficiency, standardization, impact, effectiveness and
relevance of the training activity.
The training should be followed by the learning methods, standard training norms and the
trainers must have Trainers of Training (ToT) and training skills. Adequate training
materials/ aides like whiteboard, flipchart, and hi-tech instruments should be used for
effectiveness and efficiency.
It is recommended that the training should be followed by the participatory teaching and
learning environment and techniques. More discussions and debates on the real cases and
from different studies should be incorporated for the effective training.
Output three: Mobilization of University Students
The evaluation team recommends that the awards should be provided to the person
involved in media or the media people involved in anticorruption drive. It is suggested
that the relevance of advocacy aspect should be judged while framing the output
objective and the envisaged activity.
Output Four: Organizational Capacity Development of ReMAC
In regards to the establishment of ReMAC as anticorruption Resource Centre, available
resources should be properly utilized without any misuse even after the termination of the
project. Website design should be modified and the contents should also be broadened.
Other
It is suggested that the Monitoring and Evaluation of the Project activities be
incorporated in the project period itself.
5.2.2.2 SWATI
Output one: Impact of Corruption Identified
A strong functional network of Women Against Corruption (WAC) is recommended
from ward level to national level to work as the watch dog for existing corrupt practices.
The WAC should be mobilized in awareness raising programs, pressure group activities,
completing the incomplete rules and regulations, restore inactive laws, implementing
reward and punishment system.
37
Output two: Women Sensitized on Impact of Corruption
In the context of the organization of media campaign, it is recommended that the longer lasting
media such as hoarding board, calendars should be developed. Likewise, captioned
advertisement through TV Channels is also advised.
Since the Ward Level interactions programme were highly appreciated and found
effective among the participants, it is suggested to conduct at least one ward level
interaction covering two wards. The frequency of activities should also be increased.
Likewise, it should be conducted in the concerned place not in a far away.
It is suggested that a fund raising campaign should also be conducted simultaneously
along with the anticorruption cultural programme in festivals like: Teej, Deusi and Bhailo
for the sustainability of the organization. This programme should be implemented in
specific area other than the main busy areas.
Output three: Social Reform Act 2033 Revisited
As the Draft Social Reform Bill has been prepared in consultation with different
stakeholders, experts in the field, it is strongly suggested that Draft Bill should be lobbied
to the parliamentarians. It is suggested that it would have been better if one-day
consultative workshop were conducted prior to the advocacy meeting for validating the
outcome of the advocacy meeting on the Draft Social Reform Bill.
Other
It is suggested that the Monitoring and Evaluation of the Project activities be
incorporated in the Project period itself.
5.2.3 Sustainability of ReMAC and SWATI
The sustainability issues for ReMAC and SWATI are of prime importance. Instead of relying
completely on the government for ensuring good governance, donors should have to work
towards creating vibrant civil society that is active and well established as well as does have a
clear Mission, Vision and Goal for combating corruption. However, the support, assistance,
cooperation from the donor community is suggested during the start up, growth and survival
stage of the organization.
38
5.3 Danida/HUGOU’s Involvement: The Direction Ahead
With the promulgation of the Interim Constitution, now, the country is heading towards making
new Nepal and Nepal is now in a crucial transition phase. A decade long armed conflict has
come to the settlement after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) with
CPN (Maoists). Nevertheless, due to the existing scenario of transition phase of the country,
there have been sporadic anti-peace activities and hence the country has not come to the
sustainable peace. It is in this context, the continuation of the fight against the corruption through
civil society is of vital importance. In order to building the public awareness against the vices of
corruption and analyzing the corruption, the civil society and media organizations have to be
supported and it is recommended that the already initiated Danida/HUGOU projects should be
continued. These projects should be expanded with wider coverage and special consideration
should be taken to adopting the good lesson learned and vice versa.
The civil society organizations can play important roles in combating the corruption like
exposing the prevailing corruption, informing such issues to media and law enforcement
agencies, bringing the experts view, identifying the major corruption areas, tracing of corruption
and policy lobbying and advocacy against corruption. Hence, there is a need for a professionally
strong civil society organization. The support to these organizations could be designed in two
phases: immediate to short term and medium to long term. The immediate to short-term package
should contain at least the following:
- According to the realistic immediate objectives (such as laid down by SWATI), the
special consideration should be given to the calculation of the time frame. For example,
the time frame of one year for SWATI is short to achieve the desired goal.
- Based on the effectiveness of the past performances and good lessons learned, the
program should be supported to expand in five development regions
In the medium to long term, it is suggested to increase the project coverage areas of SWATI in
more districts. This can be achieved by using SWATI‟s networking in different districts. The
same project activities with some modifications could be implemented in more districts
incorporating the lessons learned. The proposed Social Welfare Bill 2033 has been drafted. But
there is still a strong need for the advocacy and lobbying with the Parliamentarians to get the bill
passed in the Parliament. Hence, in order to milk the efforts in making this bill, further work
should be prioritized and for that the support is needed for that organization.
39
In the case of the two organizations under review, as they have demonstrated the good record
during the initiation of the programme, the assistance to them will be instrumental in furthering
the cause of anticorruption drive in Nepal by institutionalizing the CSO.
As women are always seen as the instigator of corruption, the addressing of the women from
various backgrounds against the corruption is a novel idea implemented by SWATI. Hence, such
types of activities needs further support from the Danida/HUGOU. Similarly, the network of
Women Against Corruption (WAC) should be made active and functional to mobilize them in
anticorruption movement with the support from Danida/HUGOU.
In a nutshell, the project on "Combating corruption through women's empowerment and
development" is successful in achieving the goal and this was justified through the feedback and
input generated from six field based offices, women networks, GO, NGO, civil societies,
journalists, Dalits , indigenous and ethnic group and general public. Therefore we recommend
that all the district level activities of SWATI need to be continued as there is a huge demand to
conduct public awareness campaign including ward level interactions, door to door campaign,
street dramas, and cultural programs in all wards of five working districts.
At central level, support for media advocacy including audio, visual and print media is suggested
to raise awareness on anticorruption campaign. The professional media only does not create the
awareness but also can socially punish the culprit and it can reveal the nature and extent of the
corruption in different sectors. Hence, the media organizations should also be supported in the
central level thus creating its linkages down to grass root level for corruption awareness.
Similarly, the effective and efficient media persons and academicians should be supported in
order to analyze the nature, extent, existence, trends and overall systematic analysis of the
corruption in Nepal.
The youth mobilization program is also recommended as this project did not have youth focused
program. The youth can be instrumental in awareness raising and analyzing the corruption as
well as they can enforce the social punishment actions against the corrupt such as boycotting the
corrupt, no entry for corrupts, no participation of the corrupts etc. But special care and
management in mobilizing such youth programs is required for not promoting the anarchism.
40
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19. Narayan Manandhar, “Corruption and Anticorruption( Further Readings)”, ,2006
20. ReMAC, “Training Manual and the Reference book on Corruotion”,2006
21. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, “Evaluation Guidelines”, 2006
22. Other relevant documents
41
ANNEXURE
42
Annex I
Checklists
Project Director/Staff
1. Why do you think the Civil society‟s and organization like your should be
involved in anticorruption movement in country like Nepal?
2. How do you think that there is coherence on development objective, immediate
objective, output and the Activities performed?
3. Do you think that all the activities were performed during the deadline or the
time set?
4. How many times the PSC meeting was held?
5. What is the output of your project?
6. What is the outcome of the project?
7. What is the SWOT of your organization in terms of:
Resource generation
Saving
Staffing capability
Institutional governance
Leadership factors
Infrastructure
Financial matters
Decision making
Transparency and accountability
43
Executive meeting frequency
8. Is there any delay in the activities to be carried out like publication on training
manual and research work? (For ReMAC)
9. Can you tell something about the extraordinary PSC meeting and the issue of
the Board member resignation? Did that hamper the overall project activities?
10. How many radios Prgramme were broadcasted? Do you receive any feed back
on the effectiveness of such prorammes? Do you take some random sampling to
test the efficacy of such programme?
11. Can you provide us the substantive document for the 78 programme that were
broadcasted through 10 community based FMs?
12. How effective were the discussion programme? Do you have the rating
mechanism after the discussion is over? Either through phone or through brief
evaluation sheet?
13. Could you provide us the details of the Discussion Programme report prepared
by yourself or through the Rapporteur?
14. How effective is the content of the training manual and training reference
books? Is it well designed? What is the process of hiring the Consultants to
prepare the manual?
15. How far the workshop/training has achieved the objective of Investigative
reporting?
16. What are the criteria for awarding the fellowship?
17. Do you think that the awarded fellowship meet the objective for lobbying for
the anticorruption drive. What is the quality of the assignment performed-
moderate, poor, outstanding?
18. How enthusiastic are the students to learn about the Good Governance
Seminar? Could you furnish the details?
44
19. ReMAC is supposed to be the Anticorruption Resource Centre in the Civil
Society‟s perspective- what are your observations? What hindered you to grow
to function as the full-fledged resource centre for the Anticorruption?
Checklist for the workshop participants
1. Do you find the workshop organized by the ReMAC useful and effective in
carrying out the objective of Investigative reporting in the context of
anticorruption?
2. Was the good governance Seminar fruitful and effective?(to be asked to the
participants in seminar Collage students) Activities under output 4
3. Are the materials provided in the workshop/seminar effective, easy to
understand?
4. How were the resource persons?
5. Was the discussion lively, topical and issue based? Or is vague and not focused
to the subject of the programme?
6. Are you satisfied with the overall performance?
7. Do the training/ workshop has covered the issue of Gender, Inclusive?
8. Do you find the Impact of Corruption on women(SWATI)
9. How effective and efficient the ward level meeting to deliver the message?
Checklists for the Anticorruption related agencies
1. Programme /Projects usefulness
2. Relevance in the particular context of Nepal in the drive against anticorruption.
To SWATI
1. Why do you think the Civil society‟s and organization like your should be
involved in anticorruption movement in country like Nepal?
45
2. How do you think that there is coherence on development objective, immediate
objective, output and the Activities performed?
3. Do you think that all the activities were performed during the deadline or the
time set?
4. How many times the PSC meeting was held?
5. What is the output of your project?
6. What is the outcome of the project?
7. What is the SWOT of your organization in terms of:
a. Resource generation
b. Saving
c. Staffing capability
d. Institutional governance
e. Leadership factors
f. Infrastructure
g. Financial matters
h. Decision making
i. Transparency and accountability
j. Executive meeting frequency
8. Do you find there is any impact of corruption on women? How effective and
efficient were the workshops and seminar?
9. Do you have a system of quick evaluation? Post workshop evaluation having a
short/quick questionnaire during and after the workshop?
46
10. What was the objective behind the national level workshop and in what extent
the workshop has been fruitful in delivering the message in terms of
participation from different groups?
11. How effective are the posters? What was the distribution system of the posters,
pamphlets/flyers and newsletters? Do you have any mailing list?
12. Is there a system to take the feed back on the content and message of the
newsletter and other promotional measures?
13. What are the findings from the workshops at districts level?
14. How do you rate your third output and activities?
15. Why the efforts could not be geared towards Social Reform Act 2033, apart
from the Conflict situation and non-prevalence of the parliament at that time?
16. What is the frequency and date of the publication of the messages in two daily
broadsheets?
17. What is the feedback, if any you have received from the ten transmissions
through TV on awareness rising on Draft Social Reform Bill?
18. With whom the advocacy meeting was held? And what was the outcome?
19. What are your general impressions on the ward level interaction programme/-
where it was held and the performance you would like to evaluate?
20. When, where and how many participants participated in the Corruption
education Women Pressure Group (CRWLG )meeting? What is the outcome?
Do you have any evidence on the advocacy role you have played?
21. What is the sustainability of WAC (Women Against Corruption)?
47
Annex 2
ReMAC
Log frame: Expected Outputs, Activities and Progress
Outputs S.No Activities Project Targets Achievement in
%age
Output Facilitating Factors Limiting factors
Output No.1
People sensitized
on good
governance and
anticorruption
through the use
of different types
of media
1.1 Production and
Broadcasting of
radio programme
through
community level
programme
program
produced and
broadcasted
through 10
community
radios
78 Programme from
10 FM broadcasting
stations.
100% 78
Programmes
were
developed and
broadcasted
through 11 FM
stations in
districts: total
Number of
Broadcast:
788,
Most of the issues raised were
of national level
Corruption culprit and
victim‟s views were not much
included.
More targets towards educated
people and less attention are
given to community level
grass root people.
1.2 Regular
discussion
forums on good
governance and
anticorruption
organized
18 Discussion
programme to be held
94% Only 17
discussion
programme
were held:
Total Number
of Participants:
708
Good networking among the
journalist and the concerned
stakeholders
The discussion venues were
not of equal standard.
Concerned person/Private
sector were ignored in some
discussion.
Output No2
Investigative
skills of media
persons covering
anti- corruption
enhanced
2.1 Production and
distribution of
training manuals
and reference
books on
200 Copies of training
manuals and 200
copies of reference
books to be distributed
100% 200 Copies of
reference book
and 200 copies
of training
manual were
The reference book is
informative and relevant
materials as well as need
based
48
Outputs S.No Activities Project Targets Achievement in
%age
Output Facilitating Factors Limiting factors
investigative
reporting of
corruption cases
published and
180 copies
were
distributed
2.2 Training
/workshops on
investigative
reporting against
corruption
organized in
different parts of
Nepal
3 Regional level
training programme to
be held in Biratnagar,
Pokhara and
Nepalgunj with a total
of 75 participants
100% 3 Regional
level training
organized
Total
participants:
78
The resource persons were
qualified and competent in
their subject matter.
Since the reference book and
manual were not prepared in
time, this had delayed in
conducting training in time.
Training need assessment was
not done. The training norms
were not followed during the
training session in terms of
time management, session
deliberations, and use of
training aids.
The content of the training
curriculum is vague
Some of the resource person
lacks training skills. No
homogeneous participant‟s
level in terms of experience
and knowledge
2.3 Awarding of
fellowships to 9
outstanding
participating
Journalist (three
from each
region) to carry
out investigative
reporting as
follow-up of
training
9 Investigative stories
based on local issues
of corruption to be
written and to be
published in a book
form
Yet to receive
the outcome
report
Awarded to 9
journalists,
still to receive
the report and
yet to publish
in book form
The knowledge gained during
the training programme and
the incentives have enabled
the participants to appear for
the competition in getting the
award.
ReMAC has not collected the
final fellowship outcome
reports.
As a result the reports were
not published in book form.
49
Outputs S.No Activities Project Targets Achievement in
%age
Output Facilitating Factors Limiting factors
programme
Output No.3
University
students engaged
in good
governance and
anticorruption
research and
mobilized for the
advocacy task
3.1 Awarding of
fellowships to
research students
from 5 different
faculties of local
Universities
seeking to
conduct research
on good
governance and
corruption
5 Fellowships to be
awarded to University
students
100% 5 Research
dissertation
reports
Concerned campus authorities
facilitated to award and
approve the research
dissertations
The award to Political science
student was replaced by rural
development faculty student
due to unacceptable proposal
3.2 Organizing
seminars for
college going
students on good
governance and
corruption
A minimum of 360
college students
targeted to participate
in 12 seminars
100% Nepal law
capmpus-19
Central
Department,
Sociology/
anthropology
cantle campus,
TU-30,
Kantipur city
college, Putali
Sadak-36,
PadmaKanya
Collge-30,
Nepal
Commerce
campus -
30,Cetral
Department of
Rural
Development,
Student‟s took proactive role
in understanding the
corruption issues
Since the Student‟s Union
cannot work independently
without bias to certain
political party., the Union has
not shown desired co-
operation
50
Outputs S.No Activities Project Targets Achievement in
%age
Output Facilitating Factors Limiting factors
Kirtipur- 24
Output No.4
Organized
capacity of
ReMAC
enhanced
4.1 Establishing
ReMAC as an
Anticorruption
Resource Centre
A number of
corruption cases,
information on good
governance and
anticorruption to be
made available to the
public
100% Website
launched and
not updated
Internet access
in the office
was not
existent.
200 books
related to good
governance
and
anticorruption
purchased
Since such facility is not
available for Journalist in
Nepal, all the stakeholders are
generous to support.
The resource center is not
properly utilized by general
public
4.2 Conducting a
research on the
effectiveness of
government‟s
anticorruption
legislation,
policy and
institutional
mechanism
Number of
recommendations to
be made to the
government agencies
on various issues
related to good
governance
100% Research
report
published in a
book form and
submitted to
the related
government
agencies
Due to the non-availability of
such studies it was a felt need.
There was a considerable
delay in hiring the researcher,
frequent changes of the
researcher also delayed in the
outcome and the content also
needs serious revision.
51
SWATI
Log frame: Expected Outputs, Activities and Progress
Outputs S.No Activities Achievement Target Achievement in
% age
Output Facilitating Factors Limiting factors
Output No.1
Impact of
corruption on
women identified
1.1 Organization of
district level
workshops on
impact of
corruption on
women
Five Districts level
workshops to be
organized consisting
of 250 participants
100% Organization
of five district
level
workshops on
impact of
corruption on
women and
attended by
295 (155 F
145 M)
participants
Being quite new and
interesting issues people are
interested to participate
actively.
Concerned line agencies and
stakeholders could not reject
to participate due to social
pressure.
SWATI has very good
relationship with various
concerned line agencies
The total number of
participants was more than
expected. As SWATI has six
districts already identified and
working as the networking
organizations, it helped to
achieve the objectives. It has a
good networking with
Sanchaarika Samuha, Didi
Bahini. Stri shakti etc.
Due to limited logistic support
and hall facilities in the
districts SWATI could not
invite desired numbers of
participants.
1.2 Organization of
national level
workshop on
impact of
Two day national
level workshop to be
organized and
expected to be
100% Workshop on
impact of
corruption and
attended by 28
The number of participants
were more than targeted
It is quite difficult for the
participants to devote two
working days.
52
Outputs S.No Activities Achievement Target Achievement in
% age
Output Facilitating Factors Limiting factors
corruption on
women
attended by 60
participants
Network called WAC
(women Against
Corruption) to be
formed
Male
participant, 45
female
participants in
total 73.
In the second
day, 20 male
and 49 female
– total 69
participants
participated
1.3 Organization of
interaction
programmes
with association
housewives
Three interaction
programmes to be
organized with the
association of
housewives, attended
by 180 participants
100% Three The presentation was done by
renowned personnel and
concerned person.
The number of participants
were more than expected
Workshop being carried out
simultaneously without any
break between the two
programme
Some reluctance came from
the professional women‟s
wives organization and very
high ranking government
officials' wives have not
participate due to non
familiarization of the
objective of the program.
Output No. 2
Women sensitized
on the impact of
corruption
2.1 Organization of
media campaign
1000 Posters with
anticorruption theme
to be produced
5000 Pamphlets/flyers
with anticorruption
theme to be produced
2000 Anti- corruption
newsletters to be
produced quarterly
100% 1000 Posters
5000
pamphlets
2000
anticorruption
newsletter
Gender mainstreaming
has facilitated to perform the
activity
The message is catchy and the
quality of the print is of good
quality
As per posters are distributed
and pasted somewhere in
public places it could not last
for long period
No monitoring and follow is
done on pamphlets/flyers
distribution and feedback
collected.
53
Outputs S.No Activities Achievement Target Achievement in
% age
Output Facilitating Factors Limiting factors
2.2 Organization of
ward level
interaction
programmes
12 Ward level
interaction
programmes to be
organized in six
districts (in Jhapa,
Nepalgunj,
Kathmandu,
Bhairahawa,
Biratnagar and
Birgunj
100% A total of 481
women
participants
from different
sectors
participated
The Corruption reduction
Women Pressure Groups
(CRWPG‟s) of Swati was
mobilized. The CRWPG took
the lead role
Grass root community people
actively participated in the
interaction programme and
shared their bitter experiences
on corruption. The social
mobilization supervisor of
various local NGOs also
actively participated in the
interaction programme. The
participants were energized to
fight against corruption.
The establishment of SWATI
in district level is in nascent
stage and due to it, its‟ quite
difficult to convince the
people regarding their
programme and objectives
Some participants coming
from remote areas expected
transportation allowance
2.3 Organization of
anticorruption
cultural
programmes
18 Cultural
programmes with
anticorruption theme
to be organized on six
districts ( Teej , Deusi
and Bahilo)
100% In the
involvement of
15 groups
various
programme
was organized.
Huge number
of participants
participated.
Using songs and dance as a
tool to communicate and
disseminate the anticorruption
message
SWATI has taken it as their
regular activities and
continuity is given without
donor‟s support.
Have limit musical
instruments, it would have
been more effective provided
there are various musical
instruments
2.4 Organization of
street dramas
with
anticorruption
theme
18 Street dramas with
anticorruption theme
to be organized in six
districts
100% 18 Street
drama in six
districts
The various street dramas
were contemporary and
interesting to educate the
people on anticorruption
Traffic congestion as well as
target groups are not matched
It could be better if street
drama is conducted in villages
and other areas, not in busy
main street of the district
54
Output No.3
Social reform Act
2033 ( 1977)
revisited
3.1 Organization of
CRWLG
meetings on the
draft Social
Reform Bill
Three CRWLG
meetings to be held
on the proposed Draft
Social reform Bill
100% First draft prepared on social
reform Act
3.2 Organization of
Consultative
workshop
One Consultative
workshop to be
organized
100% 53 Participants
32 female
21 male
With consultation and
feedback from various
stakeholders draft on SRA
was revised.
3.3 Organization of
advocacy
meetings on the
draft Social
reform Bill
Five advocacy
meetings to be
organized with the
stakeholders
100% Pragmatic final draft on SR
bill prepared and forwarded to
Ministry of women, children
and social welfare for review
and necessary action.
Necessary lobbying should be
done to give legal acceptance.
3.4 Awareness
raising on the
draft Social
Reform Bill
Transmission through
two TV channels to
be telecasted
Ten public messages
to be published in two
daily broadsheets.
100%
55
Annex 3
Places of field visit, organizations and contacted persons duration evaluation
S.N Name list Address Designation Date Outcome of
discussion
1. Naveen Shree Pradhan
Ajeeta Aryal
SWATI Kathmandu 19th
Aug 07 Information collected on
SWATI and the project
2. Shanker Chapagai
Indu Purbeli
Bharat Jargha Magar
Leela Balab Ghimire
Shahi Man Rai
Nirajan Bitas
Kalpana Mager
Alina Hingmony
And other
Participants of Training on
“Investigative Reporting
Against Corruption”
Biratnagar
20/21st Aug
07
Training observation and
feedback collection from
the participants
3. Sangeeta Subedi
Sangeeta Dahal
Bharati Timisina
Bimala Ghimire
Tara Niroula
Maiya parajuli
Renu Thapa
Neema Basnet
Jaya Bhattarai
Gita KC
Sunira Adhikari
Alpana Nepal
Biratnagar based Corruption
Reduction Women Pressure
Group (CRWPG)
21st Aug 07 Information collection on
the project activities and
their experience sharing
along with discussion on
future potential activities.
4. Chintan Shapkota Biratnagar Koshi FM 21st Aug 07 Information collection on
impact of anticorruption
radio programme their
feedback
5. Sapana Rana
Mankumari Silwal
Laxmi Shrestha
Nanda Shrestha
Jyoti Shrestha
Meena Lama
Geeta Shrestha
Nepalgunj based Corruption
Reduction Women Pressure
Group (CRWPG)
1st Sep 007 Information collection on
the project activities and
their experience sharing
along with discussion on
future potential activities.
56
S.N Name list Address Designation Date Outcome of
discussion
6. T.N Ghimere
Bishal Shapkota
Krishna Bhandari
Training Facilitators
“Investigative Reporting
Against Corruption”
Biratnagar
22nd
Aug 07 Information collection on
pre training programme
activities
7. Sangeeta Niroula SWATI Kathmandu office 26th
Aug 07 Interaction on programme
activities and
documents/reports
collection.
8. Saroj Kafle
Sharada Rizal
Sagarmatha FM
Kathmandu
30th
Aug 07 Information collection on
impact of anticorruption
radio programme their
feedback
9. Sapana Rana Nepalgunj Distict Coordinator
SWATI
31st Aug 007 Information collection on
SWATI activities
10. Mr.Tara khanal
Hemant B.K
Radio Bheri Awag,
Nepalgunj
1st Sep 007 Information collection on
impact of anticorruption
radio programme, their
feedback
11. Khadga Rawat Pro- Public, Nepalgunj 1st Sept 007 Information collection on
effective anticorruption.
12. Jhalak Gaire Nepalgunj Training
participant / ReMAC Nepal
Samachar Patrika
2nd
Sept 007 Training information and
feedback collection from
the participants
13. Krishna Adhikari
Rameshwor Bohara
Nepalgunj Training
participant /ReMAC
1st Sept 007 Telephonic conversation on
training programme and
their feedback collection.
14. Mangali Maya Shrestha
Goma Regmi
Bashundara
Geeta Shrestha
And other (CRWPG)
Participants of 13 ward level
interaction
2nd
Sept 007 Collection of ward level
interaction programme
activities information and
its‟ impact on
anticorruption campaign
15. Bigyan Pradhan World Bank/ Kathmandu 5th
Sept 007 World bank collection on
anticorruption.
16. Ratna Kaji Bajracharya
Former CIAA staff
Women Development
Department
Lalitpur
6th
Sept 007 General discussion on
overall practices of
corruption
17. Rudra Bashyal National Vigilance Centre 6th
Sept 007 General discussion on
overall practices of
57
S.N Name list Address Designation Date Outcome of
discussion
corruption and activities of
NVC
18. Shree Krishna Shrestha Pro Public / scholar 11th
Sept
2007
General discussion on
overall practices of
corruption
19. Ashish Thapa The Executive Director
Transparency International
13th
Sept.
2007
,, ,,
58
Annex 4
Terms of Reference (ToR)
1.0 Context
Anticorruption is one among the seven components of the Danish Human Rights and Good
Governance Programme in Nepal. DanidaHUGOU's corresponding Component Description sets
down the following objective: to improve the capacity of the actors, state and government
agencies, civil society, media and private sector, involved in the fight against corruption. In order
to achieve this objective, three component outputs have been identified: (1) building public
awareness against the vices of corruption, (2) analyzing corruption to take preventive actions,
and (3) effectively fighting corruption as a deterrence measure.
In line with the Anticorruption Component Description, from 2006 onwards DanidaHUGOU has
been actively supporting Nepalese civil society organizations involved in implementing various
anticorruption activities. Among these DanidaHUGOU-supported civil society anticorruption
projects, the two projects implemented by ReMAC and SWATI respectively are approaching the
end. DanidaHUGOU is, therefore, seeking the services of an independent consulting
firm/individual(s) to undertake an evaluation of these two projects.
The ReMAC project - Media Initiative for Civic Resistance against Corruption - was signed on
27 December 2005 for a period of 18 months starting from January 2006 with three immediate
objectives and four outputs identified. The immediate objectives are: (1) to sensitize the public
on the vices of corruption, (2) to motivate media persons to report good governance issues and
anticorruption, and (3) to mobilize students on research and advocacy task in relation to good
governance and anticorruption. The project outputs are: (1) people sensitized on good
governance and anticorruption through the use of different types of media, (2) investigative skills
of media persons covering anticorruption enhanced, (3) university students engaged in good
governance and anticorruption research mobilized for advocacy, and (4) organizational capacity
of ReMAC enhanced. In a nutshell, the ReMAC project is meant to support media to combat
corruption in Nepal.
The SWATI project - Combating Corruption through Women's Empowerment and Development
- was signed on 29 June 2006 for a period of 12 months starting from 1 July 2006. The project
has two immediate objectives and three outputs. The immediate objectives are: (1) to promote
women's leadership and build strategic alliances among women from various sectors, and (2) to
59
empower women to fight against corruption. The project outputs are: (1) impact of corruption on
women identified, (2) women sensitized on the impact of corruption, and (3) Social Reform Act
1977 revisited. Overall, the SWATI project seeks to mobilize women in the fight against
corruption.
2.0 Brief Profile of Partner Organizations
ReMAC
Established in 2003, ReMAC is a civil society watchdog organisation working against corruption
in Nepal. ReMAC has a total of 49 general members with a background in journalism, law,
research and on academy. Combating corruption through research and media is the technical
approach of ReMAC while promotion of good governance is the general strategy of ReMAC. In
the past, ReMAC has implemented several initiatives related to anticorruption and good
governance; however, the partnership with DanidaHUGOU is the first longer term project ever
implemented by ReMAC.
SWATI
Established in 2002, SWATI is a gender based non-governmental organisation. SWATI has the
mission to empower women through economic independence. The areas of interventions by
SWATI are research, training and awareness raising activities. In the past, SWATI has initiated a
number of gender related anticorruption initiatives. These include: (1) Study on women's role in
social campaign against corruption funded by DFID/ESP in 2004, (2) Study on impact of
corruption on women entrepreneurs funded by FNCCI in 2005, and (3) Project on mainstreaming
women in mitigation of corruption through social awareness campaign funded by USAID/ARD
Rule of Law Project in 2006.
SWATI has established six district-level women's pressure groups and one woman lawyers'
pressure group in Kathmandu. These pressure groups act as SWATI's outreach units plus district-
level and ward-level networking of women to combat corruption.
3.0 The Projects
The ReMAC project was signed for NRs 7.1 million and the SWATI project was signed for NRs
5.7 million to undertake various activities as identified in the respective Project Documents.
The major activities of the ReMAC project: (1) production and distribution of radio programmes
on good governance and anticorruption issues through community radios, (2) organisation of
60
regular discussion programmes on good governance and anticorruption issues, (3) production of
training manual and reference book on anticorruption and investigative journalism and, based on
these training materials, implementation of regional-level training workshops and awarding of
fellowships to the trainees, (4) fellowships awards to the students undertaking research in the
field of good governance and anticorruption, (5) organisation of college-level seminars, (6)
evaluation of research on anticorruption laws, policies and institutions, and (7) establishing an
anticorruption resource centre within ReMAC.
The major activities of the SWATI project: (1) organisation of a series of ward-level, district-
level and national-level workshops and interaction programmes with an anticorruption theme, (2)
organisation of media campaigns, cultural programmes and street dramas with anticorruption
messages in various parts of the country, and (3) reviewing of the Social Reform Act through
consultative meetings, drafting of a proposed bill and publicity campaigns.
Details on project activities, inputs and indicators are mentioned in the respective Project
Documents.
4.0 Objectives of Evaluation
The overall objective is to have an independent evaluation of the activities carried out by
ReMAC and SWATI.
The specific objectives of the evaluation are:
to briefly review the status of the civil society anticorruption movement in general in
Nepal
to assess achievements of the immediate objectives, outputs and activities mentioned in
the respective Project Documents
to evaluate the capacity of ReMAC and SWATI as partner organizations to carry out
future civil society based anticorruption initiatives in Nepal.
5.0 Scope of Work
The scope of work for the evaluation is:
to review the general context of the civil society anticorruption movement in Nepal
61
to assess achievements and/or non-achievements of project objectives, outputs and
activities
to assess the logic built within the projects in terms of project objectives, outputs,
activities and inputs
to assess the capacity of ReMAC and SWATI to carry out the projects and the
sustainability of the initiatives
to offer suggestions to DanidaHUGOU related to civil society based anticorruption
projects in Nepal
6.0 Outputs of Evaluation
The consulting firm/individuals will submit a draft report and, subsequently, a final report not
exceeding 30 pages in line with the areas outlined under Sections 4 and 5 above and after
considering comments and feedback from DanidaHUGOU, ReMAC and SWATI.
7.0 Methodology
The consulting firm/individuals will apply following methodology:
Review of documents: Please see list of documents mentioned in Section 11
Consultations and meetings with stakeholders:
- CIAA and NVC
- Transparency International Nepal and its support groups
- Other NGOs working in the field of anticorruption
- Relevant donor agencies
Field visits and local consultations:
- Consultations with a sample of participants who attended various activities organized by
the partner organizations,
Debriefing of key findings to DanidaHUGOU, ReMAC and SWATI
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Submission of Draft Report
Considering of comments from DanidaHUGOU, ReMAC and SWATI
Submission of Final Report
8.0 Time Frame
The total assignment time will be a number of 35 days commencing from the signing of the
contract. The breakdown of time in terms of person days will be as follow:
Phases Person
days
Output
1. Review of documents 7 Inception Report prepared
2. Consultations in Kathmandu 8 Feedback received
3. Field visits to interview district- and
ward-level participants
12 Debriefing meeting conducted
on the basis of debriefing note
4. Preparation of Draft Report 5 Draft Report
5.Consideration of comments/inputs from
DanidaHUGOU, ReMAC and SWATI
3 Final Report
6. Submission of Final Report
Total 35
9.0 Process
The following process will be applied while conducting the evaluation:
Agreement on the ToR between ReMAC, SWATI and DanidaHUGOU
The Evaluation Coordination Team (see Section 10 below) will discuss the proposals
submitted by the approached consulting firms/individuals.
Selection of consulting firm/individuals by the Evaluation Coordination Team
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DanidaHUGOU and the selected consulting firm/individuals will enter a contract to carry
out the task.
ReMAC and SWATI will provide relevant documents - project document/work plans and
budgets, periodic reports, audit reports etc. to the consulting firm/individuals for
reference.
The consulting firm/individuals will carry out the assignment as per the agreed work plan
and the contract.
Debriefing meetings will be held with DanidaHUGOU, ReMAC and SWATI. The
consulting firm/individuals will the make necessary presentations.
The consulting firm/individuals will produce a Draft Report and submit it to ReMAC,
SWATI and DanidaHUGOU for necessary comments.
The consulting firm/individuals will incorporate the comments received from ReMAC,
SWATI and DanidaHUGOU and submit the Final Report to DanidaHUGOU.
10.0 Evaluation Coordination Team
An evaluation coordination team will be constituted consisting of representatives from
DanidaHUGOU, ReMAC and SWATI. The primary task of the Evaluation Coordination Team
will be as follows:
Facilitate internalization of the assessment task and the process within the ReMAC,
SWATI and DanidaHUGOU
Become a focal point to interface with the consulting firm/individuals regarding the
assignment.
Provide, on demand, technical and professional inputs to the consulting firm/individuals
while designing evaluation methodology, process and preparing the work plan, including
field visits.
Provide relevant documents, information and logistics support to the consulting
firm/individuals both in Kathmandu and in the field.
Provide comments and feedbacks to the Draft Report.
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Coordinate and facilitate the evaluation process, including ensuring quality of work done
by the consulting firm/individuals.
11.0 Background Documents
The consultant firm/individuals will study, but not necessarily limited, the following documents:
Main Documents
1. Project Documents and MoUs
2. Bi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports
3. Audit Report where relevant
4. Reports/proceedings and other publications related to project activities
Other Documents
1. Any other relevant materials and documents