The hill districts in the mid and far western regions have the lowest Human Development
Index among all districts in Nepal. Access to markets and services has only been opened
up in some districts over the past decade while people have developed elaborate coping
mechanisms to manage their livelihoods. Development projects are faced with the
challenge to accompany and support social and technical change in these areas.

LINKING LOCAL INITIATIVES TO NEW KNOW-HOW (LLINK)

The Linking Local Initiatives to New Know-how Programme (LLINK) started in the mid and far west in 1987. The Programme has gradually built a network of local partner organizations to support local initiatives and social change. As an increasing number of development organizations and projects have entered these districts, LLINK is exploring modalities for a more programmatic approach and coherent planning among actors in these districts.

OUTCOMES

• Increased income generated from improved agricultural and selected NTFP production and marketing.

• Socially and economically disadvantaged are empowered to address the effects of discrimination and exploitation, contributing to establishing social justice and equity.

• Local institutions and local service providers sustain a demand-driven development process.

• Most deprived people have access to transient livelihood recuperation support.

• Resource use is better coordinated in the district/region.

PRESENT STATUS

• More than 20,000 households participate in project activities; about 30% of these are Dalit households and in about 60% the contact persons are women

• More than 50 cooperatives and more than 30 local NGOs are partners of LLINK

• More than 3,500 farmers have started semi-commercial vegetable production generating a gross annual income of NRs 23 million

• NTFP, fresh vegetables, vegetable seed production, cereals/legumes and goat raising are emerging as additional, more localized income generation activities

• Conflict-affected people receive support from a strengthened District Disaster Preparedness Network which administers a fund for immediate humanitarian assistance

PARTNERSHIP

Project activities are implemented by local partner organizations or directly by local groups.

• Farmer groups and cooperatives are the main local actors

• Production/marketing or saving/credit cooperatives are emerging in some areas

• Local NGOs as main support actors at local level

• All activities are coordinated with other organizations in the district and DDC

FUNDING

About CHF 1,000,000 per year from Helvetas funds, Fastenopfer contributions and Helvetas/DFID partnership funds. SDC is providing shorter-term support to humanitarian assistance activities.
 

CONTACT DETAILS

LLINK
G.P.O. Box 688, Kathmandu, Nepal
Ph. 083-520924
Email: llink@helvetas.org.np