“Despite our best efforts we were not able to meet the planning guidelines due to limited knowledge and capacity. Support from EUSIF and LISP in conducting simulation exercises and orientations helped us to understand the diverse needs of people, which were integrated into the Rural Municipality’s annual plans.” 

Local ownership is key to sustainability of municipal planning

A perception survey conducted during the planning exercise showed 60% increase in the participation of community people in this year’s settlement-level planning as compared to the FY 2022-23. This meant the the LGs needed to work more to ensure maximum participation of the diverse community groups in the selection of development projects. Furthermore, community members who participated in the planning simulation and orientation sessions expressed strong desire to voice their issues and be part of the development process.

Rajkina Sarki, a Dalit executive member from Ward No 4, Tila Rural Municipality, complains about the trend of municipal budget being distributed to wards on pro rata basis without proper needs assessment. According to her, this kind of practice has led to many imbalances in terms of prioritization of development programmes and the outcomes. “After attending the planning simulation and orientation I understood that budget allocation must take indicators such as population, poverty index, human development index, and social inclusion into consideration,” she said, adding, “The learning from these planning exercises was that all stakeholders, specially community people, should have stake in the selection of development projects and the local government must ensure that.”

Dr Som Lal Subedi, an expert in federalized governance, says meaningful civic participation at the local level is the essence of grassroots democracy. It promotes accountability and helps to materialize fundamental rights stipulated in Nepal’s Constitution.

“Seven-step planning process is the backbone of local governance. Ensuring sufficient community participation is a responsibility of the local government as envisioned by the Local Government Operation Act 2018,” he explains, “In addition, people’s participation is the only popular model of keeping the local government in check. Efficiency, priority-setting, budget allocation, expenditure credibility and transparency are largely the outcome of people’s participation. Seven-step planning process should be appropriately followed to ensure inclusive municipal service delivery.”

Improving municipal accountability

This intervention improved the accountability of LGs and made the planning more need-based and inclusive. It also enhanced the knowledge and skills of elected representatives, staff, CBOs and community members on the planning process and improved the ownership and accountability of local governments and their constituents thereby making this approach sustainable. 275 LG officials including elected representatives were capacitated and more than 2500 local people including over 46 percent women and 20 percent Dalits were engaged. The simulation and role play methodologies were executed by putting gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) at the centre. The three LGs now fully own the process and have stated their intent to apply this approach during the next planning cycle.