LocationsFAQ of Parliament Support Project (PSP)
What is Parliament Support Project PSP?
Since its inception in 2015, the Parliament Support Project (PSP) has been providing technical support to enhance the capabilities of the Federal Parliament (FP), all seven Provincial Assemblies (PAs), members of parliament (MPs), parliamentary committees, and their secretariats. In its current phase (2023-2027), PSP is strengthening key parliamentary functions, including evidence-based lawmaking through comprehensive bill review and post-legislative scrutiny, evidence-based oversight, parliamentary outreach and openness. The project focuses advancing parliamentary research and promoting Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and human rights. It also supports the parliaments in strengthening the capacities of women MPs and MPs from marginalized groups for their effective parliamentary roles. Additionally, PSP is actively engaged with women, youth, sexual and gender minorities (LGBTIQ+), and persons with disabilities to voice their concerns in parliamentary discourse. It also facilitates the engagement of civil society organizations (CSOs) with parliaments for evidence-based lawmaking and oversight functions.
Who funded this project?
This project is funded by the Government of Norway and UNDP Nepal.
Where does it work?
It is Kathmandu-based, but it covers all seven provinces and districts with its field presence in Madhesh, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.
What are the achievements of this project?
It has provided:
- Capacity enhancement of MPs and Parliament Secretariats: Enhanced capacity of MPs of the Federal Parliament (FP) and the Provincial Assemblies (507 in 2023 and 230 as of June 2024) for effective parliamentary roles. Enhanced capacity of staff of the Federal Parliament Secretariat and the Provincial Assembly Secretariats (276 in 2023, 162 as of June 2024) to support MPs and committees effectively.
- Technical support in lawmaking: Supported parliamentary committees of the FP and PAs for experts' reviews and public consultations of 10 bills and the Post Legislative Scrutiny of 2 federal Acts. These resulted in over 100 feedback for review of these bills and reformations of these Acts.
- Parliamentary oversights: Supported parliamentary committees of the FP and the PAs through 16 oversight missions on pressing issues such as climate change, Dalits' concerns, public finance management health, education and implementation of SDGs with over 100 recommendations to the governments.
- Parliamentary Openness and Outreach: Over 65 parliamentary outreach interventions provided opportunities to over 5,000 people to voice their concerns directly or indirectly to more than 100 MPs through public consultations, public hearings and radio program. The weekly radio program promoted parliamentary accountability by directly or indirectly reaching out to over two million people through 77 radios across Nepal.
- Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: 180 MPs (73% women) strengthened their skills in leadership, inclusive lawmaking, communications, negotiations and media relations through experience sharing and skill enhancement programs. 97 new MPs (89% women) from seven PAs participated in a tailored mentoring program which offered them personalized guidance and support from experienced former MPs and thematic experts. 64 MPs and 112 federal and provincial secretariat staff enhanced their understanding of gender and human rights impact analysis through orientations on GESI and human rights impact analysis.
- Civic engagement: Collaborated with 25+ Civil Society Organizations/research institutions to support parliaments on evidence-based lawmaking, oversight, public hearing and mentoring program. Engaged with 500+ youths (including 100 Persons with Disabilities and 30 LGBTIQ+ representatives) in activities like "Visit to Parliament," "Interaction with Parliament Leadership,", Mock Parliament, law review from LGBTIQ+ perspective.
- Engagement with media: Over 100 journalists improved their skills on various thematic areas including budget reporting, parliamentary reporting, digital journalism. Produced a knowledge product entitled “Manual for Parliamentary Reporters” in collaboration with Journalists' Society for Parliamentary Affairs.
- Knowledge products: Published 6 knowledge products, including manuals for MPs and journalists, and reviews of disaster management laws and zones in Bagmati Province, enriching parliamentary knowledge.
- Best Practices: Contributed to institutionalizing key practices including annual inter-legislatures meetings, PLS, introducing calendar system, lobby reporting, enhancing civic space, increased parliamentary openness and routine engagement with think tanks. Supported in exploring innovative practices such as increased use of ICT in parliaments, research on Parliamentary Budget Office, conducting GESI audit, study and documentation of parliamentary ruling.
Where to contact?
You can contact Portfolio Manager, Ms. Kalpana Sarkar (kalpana.sarkar@undp.org) and National Project Manager, Mr. Dila Datt Pant (dila.pant@undp.org) to enquire about the project. Go to https://www.undp.org/nepal/projects/psp to find more about the project.