Skill Development (STPP) and Reconstruction (RPN) Projects- GIZ Germany

Action for Development (AfD) has partnered with The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on several impactful projects. Two of the most significant collaborations are The Support of Measures to Strengthen the Peace Process Project (STPP) and The German Development Cooperation- Recovery Program Nepal (RPN), which were conducted from 2011 to 2014 and 2015 to 2016, respectively.

In 2011, the STPP project targeted key areas to support Nepal's peace process. A critical focus was on the reintegration of ex-combatants into selected communities, emphasizing skill development and conflict mitigation. This reintegration was essential for fostering long-term peace and stability in post-conflict Nepal. The project was gender-sensitive, involving both women and men in capacity-building activities. By mobilizing these individuals into groups, STPP facilitated social and economic empowerment through tailor-made capacity development measures. These measures not only helped individuals gain new skills but also fostered a sense of community and mutual support.

An essential component of the STPP was its focus on women's rights and health issues. The project included men in awareness-raising campaigns, creating a more inclusive approach to gender issues. We played a significant role in this project by providing skill development training to 205 unskilled laborers across the Dang, Surkhet, Banke, and Kailali districts. The training was highly successful, with more than 80% of the participants securing employment afterward. This success underscored the effectiveness of the training programs and their relevance to the local job market, ultimately contributing to the stability and economic growth of the regions involved.

In the wake of the devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal in April and May 2015, resulting in nearly 9,000 deaths, over 22,000 injuries, and extensive damage to infrastructure, we once again partnered with GIZ for the RPN project. The earthquakes caused significant destruction to homes and buildings, leaving many without shelter or basic services. In response to this crisis, the German government agreed to provide acute emergency assistance at the request of the Government of Nepal.

The RPN project aimed to support communities in three of the most affected districts. AfD's role was crucial in training 120 local masons in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. This training equipped the masons with the skills necessary to rebuild homes and infrastructure, ensuring that these communities had better access to basic support services and could demonstrate greater resilience in the face of future disasters. The training not only provided immediate relief but also contributed to the long-term recovery and resilience of the affected areas. By empowering local masons with the skills to rebuild their communities, we helped lay the foundation for a more resilient and self-sufficient future for the people of Rasuwa and Nuwakot.

Overall, these projects highlight the successful collaboration between AfD and GIZ, showcasing their commitment to skill development, social empowerment, and disaster recovery. Through targeted training programs and inclusive approaches, they have significantly contributed to the socio-economic development and resilience of various communities in Nepal.