Community Mediation technical Assistance Provider Project

Project Duration : 1st January 2016 – 31st December, 2016      No cost extension till January – 31st   January, 2017

The proposed project leverages RUWDUC’s human and technical resources, transferring knowledge and skills to government bodies and local community based organizations (CBOs). It directly addresses the Freedom Fund objectives in making access to Justice for those who are deprived of it.

The outcome will be: Poor people, especially women, girls and traditionally marginalized Haruwa Charuwa people are better protected from criminal violence and have improved access to justice’ as it is directly enhances women and marginalized community’s access to justice at community levels through mediators.

The major objectives of the CMTAPP  as follows:

  1. To provide partner organization staff, community staff, community members, and key stakeholders with a robust knowledge of human rights, effective community mediation practices and an expanded understanding of the concepts and practices related to alternative dispute resolution at the local level.

 

  1. To transfer knowledge and skills of community mediation processes and practices through practical capacity-building trainings and workshops involving partner organization staff and community leaders to enhance their understanding of formal and informal justice systems at the local level, with a particular focus on Haruwa and Charuwa community members.

The project has implemented following activities:

  1. Situational Assessment
  2. Desk review of various research publications and existing survey tools were reviewed about districts of Dhanusha , Saptari and Sirha and target VDCs on mediation services in target districts focusing Harwa Charwa.
  3. Development of interview tools: Relevant tools and surveys designed for primary data collection from various stakeholders in VDCs.
  4. Orientation to local enumerators: Local enumerators were trained to use questionnaire and field tested to assess how best to gather information systematically.
  5. Data collection, entry, and analysis: Gender disaggregated data on sampled Haruwa Chruwa women, men and adolescents from target VDC clusters based on variables such as age, sex and caste.
  6. Development and finalization of situational assessment:  Situational Report outlining findings analysis of legal practices and community mediation interventions produced.
  7. Create toolkit and additional resources: Developed a Community Mediation Training Manual in Nepali. A relevant material from government and nongovernmental organization was sought.
  8. Solicit stakeholder feedback on toolkit and resources. The training manual (toolkit) was forwarded to RUWDUC’s CM Master trainers and tested in 8 –days mediation training organized by the project.
  9. Solicit stakeholder feedback on toolkit and resources: A draft copy of the draft manual in Nepali language was delivered to Mediation council to seek their comment.
  10. Formation advisory committees follow up Training/ workshops:
  11. Formation of VDC Advisory Committees: Three VDC-level Advisory committees were formed in three VDCs of Dhanusha, Siraha and Saptari districts in the presence and   consultation of LGCDP experts and various other stakeholders.
  12. Two-day District Workshop: The workshop was organized for Partner’s staff for conceptual clarity and conflict mediation interventions followed by sharing of findings of Situational Assessment Report, mediation acts and by laws and causes and Type of conflict.
  13. One-day orientation for community mediator selection: The selected Community Mediators were given orientation on the role of mediators amidst social organization’s representatives and VDC personnels. Total 33 Community mediators were selected including 11 women.
  14. Training workshop focused on community mediation, social justice, and human rights gender violence: Eight-day basic mediation training followed by 3-day refresher’s training on community mediation was organized for mediators to enable them to resolve disputes at the local level.
  15. Establishment of Community Mediation Centres (3) at the VDC level: Three mediation centers were established within the VDC buildings with minimum office materials support by the project.
  16. Monitoring and provision of technical support for mediation sessions at the VDC level for partner organizations: Project Coordinators and Trainers conducted monitoring visits to partner organizations, project sites in order to monitor mediation sessions and provide mentorship
  17. Social marketing targeting local stakeholders and haruwa-charuwa community members to inform them of the available services at the community mediation centres (CMCs)
  18. Creation and provision of stakeholder directory: RUWDUC has finalized development a directory of all stakeholders those who are involved in community  mediation projects across districts ( i.e stakeholders, offices, and government bodies,  partner organizations, community mediators, and other organizations and stakeholders involved in community mediation in the project area)
  19. Coordination and facilitation of project closeout convening, is planned by first week of March 2017