KATHMANDU, April 10: The Program for Accountability in Nepal (Pran), an initiate of the World Bank, has provided US$11,000 to 18 various civil society organizations to improve governance at local levels and ensure transparency in development works.
These program is being implemented in 16 districts throughout the country of which 10 projects are on public finance management, six on municipal good governance and two on public service delivery.
These projects conduct as simple task as taking public polls to produce citizens´ report card and community score card - considered barometers to check efficiency, effectiveness and client friendliness of government agencies.
One such survey conducted by a civil society organization in Dhading had found that only 31 percent of people who visited the land revenue office in the district didn´t have to bribe officials.
“These projects that promote social accountability help our (the World Bank´s) investment programs to achieve better results,” Chao Hua Zhang, lead social development specialist of the World Bank, told the audience attending the agreement signing ceremony between Pran and civil society organizations in Kathmandu Tuesday.
Pran is a three-year $3 million program financed by the State and Peace Building Fund designed to respond to unique opportunities in the state building process in the country. It was launched in November 2010 and provides grants of up to $15,000 for those willing to practice new skills in social accountability and up to $50,000 for those experienced in social accountability.
So far, 30 projects, including 18 granted Tuesday, are being operated under Pran. Of the 30, 14 projects are on public finance management, nine on public service delivery and seven on municipal good governance.
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