Project Overview

Funding Partner: CDSG / GIZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development - BMZ)
Duration: 2021 – Present
Target Group: Coordinators and Members of Judicial Committees of Local Governments, Municipal Legal Officers, Community Mediators

Context & Objectives

The Constitution of Nepal 2015 (Article 217) mandates a three-member Judicial Committee coordinated by the Vice-Chairperson in Rural Municipalities and Deputy Mayor in Municipalities to resolve local disputes.

While this constitutional provision brought judicial settlement closer to citizens, many elected representatives required systematic capacity development in statutory mediation procedures, natural justice, gender sensitivity, and record keeping.

Key Activities & Achievements

• Conducted intensive 40-hour 8-day basic community mediation training for Judicial Committee members and local dispute resolvers.
• Developed comprehensive Nepali-language training manuals, dispute settlement templates, and code of conduct manuals for local mediators.
• Established institutional linkages between municipal judicial desks, district courts, and local community mediation centers.
• Over 85% of cases brought to trained local centers were resolved with mutual consensus and long-term reconciliation.