Project Title: Role of Women Cooperative in Building Climate Resilience and Mainstreaming Climate Finance in Nepal
Collaborating Partner: Digo Bikas Institute
Duration: 3rd March, 2020 – ongoing
Area Coverage: Kavre District
Key Project staff: Dhanej Thapa, DRR & Climate change expert
Rachana K.C, Research Officer
Main features of the project: Digo Bikas Institute (DBI) and Nari Chetna Kendra organized five different workshops on Climate Change (CC), Climate Change and Gender, and Women Cooperatives in May -June 2019. More than 200 women leaders from 27 women led cooperatives of Bhakundebesi, Banepa, Chalal, Panchkhal and Panauti Municipality participated in the workshop. Each workshop had thematic session and participatory discussion on science of climate change, climate perception and sharing of experiences on secondary consequences, i.e. drying water sources, losses on agricultural production and productivity and increased drudgery to women. In addition, workshop had different special session on cooperative to discuss on financial lending process, areas of investment and access of vulnerable and poor women on micro-finance. However, during the workshop, some pressing issues raised on financing of women led cooperative on reducing climate vulnerability were unclear and poorly identified. This study therefore is to systematically collect empirical evidence from representative households and bring qualitative insights from focused discussion and interview with key resource persons.
The main objective of the study is to understand role of women cooperatives in building climate resilience and mainstreaming climate finance in Nepal. Specific objectives of the project are: To assess climate vulnerability of women in Kavre district; to analyse status of cooperatives, areas, investment, priority sector and their financial flows; to understand use and expenses of fund by dalit, poor and marginalized women; To provide ways and mechanism to use cooperatives in mainstreaming climate finance in local level.