Transboundary Rivers of South Asia (TROSA)
Dadeldhura District, Nepal

Rural Women’s Development and Unity Centre (RUWDUC in partnership with OXFAM have jointly implemented “Transboundary Rivers of South Asia (TROSA project.” The project has been rolled out in Mahakatli Rivers basin of Purshuram Municipality of Dadeldhura District., OXFAM Nepal has signed agreements with local organizations namely RUWDUC, Sankalpa, RUDES, NEEDS which are from Dadeldhura, Darchula, Baiatadi, and Kanchanpur Mahakali basin basin area implementing TROSA project .
The project goal is to reduce poverty and marginalization of vulnerable communities living in Mahakali basin – a sub-basin of Ganges and these river basins have significant trans-boundary challenges and present opportunities to achieve results as these river basins have relatively limited focus. The issues that this water basins face could be addressed include: impacts from floods and droughts; policy and governance; violence and girl’s trafficking; early warning and availability of water for the environment and ecosystems of rivers, watersheds, floodplains and wetlands. Including all these issues, there is another pertinent issue of the rights of the poor tans marginalized people within societies – either as result of race, religion or gender or often as consequence of all such. TROS A aims of address such governance issues in Mahakali basin of Nepal. TROSA’s objectives can be achieved through the wider coordination with high level government officials and other actors.
The TROSA is a five year-year regional level program ( 2017-2022). The program is launched in Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Mayanmar focusing in the transboundary water basins. The program brings together efforts to support the lives of communities living along the Ganges, the Brahmaputra- Meghna and the Salween river basins.

Objectives of the project:

The overall objective of the project is to: “Reduce poverty and marginalization of vulnerable river basin communities through increased access to and control over riverine water resources on which their livelihoods depend.”

Improved policies and practices of government that protect the rights of river basin communities to water resources

Improved policies and practices of private sector and other actors that respect the rights of river basin communities to water resources

Strengthened capacity of river basin communities and civil society to participate in and influence trans-boundary water resource management

Cross cutting objective

Amplification of women’s profile and influence in dialogues and decision- making on infrastructure

The TROSA Project interventions are exclusively designed to bring in various stakeholders together represented by government, private sectors, CSOs and encompassing actors beyond boarders in one platform so as to raise their awareness on the situations and make them realize policy makers on the inherent causes of poverty, marginalization and vulnerability of basin communities of those who are perpetually deprived of access to and control over riverine water resources to improve their livelihoods. Here are some expected outcomes under which respective outputs are stated below:

Outcome 1: Outcome # 1: Government policies and practices at all levels in water resource management area more inclusive of community concerns and meet national and international standards

River Basin Level Outputs (1.1-1.5)

Raising awareness in government, develop and disseminate communication resources for government stakeholders using inception phase analysis and case studies; including info graphics, stories, blogs, briefing papers etc.

Output 1.3
Collaborate with energy network partners a basin dialogue (sub-national) about alternative energy policy and plans (I, B, N) and (M and T)Central Level

Organizing an annual dialogue event involving CSOs, affected communities & government (to be determined) on each River Basin – District Level ( loose network, committees, plate form

Country level Outputs 1.6- 1.14
Nepal will coordinate with India to share findings of Mahakali analysis with India stakeholders to identify common issues & actors for the Sharada

Conduct a national dialogue, with energy network partners in India and in Nepal- inter-country

Regional exchange visit & dialogue between Government agencies

Basin learning event (Government + CSOs – Impacting issues and dialogue by involving WEC members

Trans- boundary policy events

Government exchange to see issues on ground, and understand across border

Outcome 2: Practices of practices of private sector respect community access to water resources actively contributing to reduced conflict

Output 2.1 – 2.3

River Basin level outputs

Organizing dialogue events to engage with 30 people from private sector CSOs affected communities and / or district government based on trans-boundary issues identified form consultations

Raising an annual meeting and / or exposures in the targeted / affected area

Organizing an annual meeting and / or exposures in the targeted / affected area

Country levels Outputs ( 2.4 -2.6 )

Providing key documents on international standards and practices obtained from research and practices ( only focus on key case studies from the field )

Outcome 3: Strengthened capacity of river basin communities and civil society to participate in and influence trans-boundary water resource management

River basin level Outputs (3.1-3.5)

Prepare and disseminate CSO and community level information about water rights and basin programs; using media (print, radio , ICT, and / or TV , street theater , posters / pamphlets etc.;

Documentation of transboundary issues or of water challenges within local contest and take to government and private sector stakeholders

Review of Existing Early Warning system in Mahakali / Sarada Basin ( coordination with OXFAM India )

EWS across boundaries area established (Coordination meeting with DHM , ICIMOD ,Practical Action and other related stakeholders, Formation of a task force, development of EWS communication strategy and simulation)

Assessing budget allocation for water management issues at local scales- local , municipal , district – to ascertain where resources are allocated and where there’re are gaps.

Contingency support and contingency plan for partner

Country level output 3.6-3.9
Conflict and grievance mechanisms established and tested for community to community conflict across borders

Outcome 4: Increased participation & influence of women in transboundary water governance. Policies and processes
River Basin Level Output 9 4.1 – 4.2)
Consultation with women form the target VDCs / municipalities on the program gender strategy

In all contexts, Awareness Raising and strengthening and participation of women in women focused organizing structures, such as the Women’s Empowerment Centers ( WEC’s in Nepal ( 1360 women i.e . 20 20 VDC * 34 PP * event, 20 sm 200$ for 20 VDC

Country level Output
( 4.3-4.5)
Partners Orientation workshop