Rural development Project philosophy Working approach Projects Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

text from: Helvetas "Yesterday, Today, and ", Kathmandu 1997

RURAL DRINKING WATER SUPPLY

	Villagers are pleased to see water flowing out of the tap that they built on their own initiative and effort, and with assistance from SRWSP (Self Reliant Drinking Water Support Programme)
	Women periodically hold discussions with the villagers on the importance of building latrines, the crucial role of maintainance in projects, among others.
	Villagers utilise the skills and knowledge they acquired during the SRWSP (Self Reliant Drinking Water Support Programme) training and conduct all maintainance and repair works required in the project.

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For the choice, planning, implementation and later evaluation of the development programs supported by Helvetas, the following apply:

Basis principle:

Helvetas works as directly as possible for the benefit of, and together with, the disadvantaged people concerned.

Self-help principle:

Cooperation practiced by Helvetas is oriented towards self-help, leading away from paralyzing social and economic dependencies.

Justice principle:

Even though social justice ultimately remains a relative notion, Helvetas unequivocally seeks to promote initiatives which aim at social equality.

Self-reliance principle:

Activities in which Helvetas participates aim at independent development, based on the partner country's cultural, social and economic conditions.

Partnership principle:

Planning, implementation, evaluation and financing of cooperation measures take place within a close cooperative partnership with indigenous counterparts, be they state institutions or non-governmental organisations.

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Abr.	Project	Project content
TWP	Tinau Watershed Project	After a flood Helvetas focused on dam construction and river control in the Tinau watershed area.
PDP	Palpa Integrated Development Programme	Helvetas is engaged in support for rural infrastructure, forest productivity, soil conservation, agricultural and livestock improvement and household income generation activities.
LISP	Local Initiatives Support Program	This exploratory programme will support existing local intitiatives and help new ones develop to address economic and social problems by developing self-potential and self-reliance in the people.
BTTC	Balaju Technical Training Center	Nepal required a formal technical training element within the government education system. The technical education was closely related to Nepal's industrial demands. Initially this Center was highlxy succesful at producing skill graduates. However the center was limited to needs of the poor and the market as well. Helvetas' involvement wound up in 1996.
SKILL	Skill and Know-how Imparted at the Local level	SKILL provides skill training. Its courses are short compact, flexibel to suit local situations.
CWSS	Community Water Supply and Sanitation in the Western Region	The programme started as a purely rural infrastructure development project. CWSS also started promoting educational and sanitation programmes. But it failed to inculcate a sense of ownership and responsibility among the water beneficiaries.
SRWSP	Self-Reliant Drinking Water Support Programme	SRWSP is the follow-on programme to CWSS. The programme aims at empowering communities in general, and women in particular, by envolving them in the entire project planning. Communties are empowered in building a safe and reliable drinking water scheme and sanitation facilities.

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Development Projects in Nepal supported by Switzerland

Photo Galleries	Arniko Highway	Lamosangu-Jiri Road
	Suspension Bridges

Tourism within the Projects Areas

Selected Area	Hanumante- Chordung Trekking
	Kalinchowk Trekking (Tinsang La)

Links

Externe Links

Helvetas Switzerland Website