local
contribution...contd.

Management and Mobilisation:

The people’s contribution is usually in the form of voluntary labour towards agriculture, livelihood and community support activities. The project provides 100% for the activities planned under watershed treatment activities. The local contributions for the watershed development activities are mobilized through cash or labour and deposited in a separate maintenance fund account at VDS level. The joint signatories of maintenance fund account are usually one member of VDS and one member of WMC. The management of these funds has to be decided at the village level, with the facilitation of NGOs & VDS.

Each partner NGOs has adopted different strategies to mobilize the expected local contribution. In Maramuri watershed, Gulbarga dt., there were series of Gram Sabhas held to tackle the issue of mobilizing the local contribution. Previously they decided to mobilize the LC from laborers, who are also farmer himself or herself. But this was later abandoned as it contradicts the project guiding principles. Ultimately, a Mahasabha was called comprising of villagers from all the project villages to resolve the issue of mobilization of LC especially for interventions on CPR lands. It was decided in the meeting to mobilize the local contribution for CPR and PPR treatment work from the farmers. The farmers will have to pay 30% contribution overall, thus making up for the 10% contribution for CPR. In case of Upper Mullamari watershed, Bidar Dt., the WMC has organized the user groups comprising of farmers who get the direct benefit from the treatment activities. The user group will contribute in terms of cash or labour & later responsible for maintain/manage the activities. In case of Kanakanala watershed, Koppal Dt., the VDS have decided to mobilize the CPR decision making process, partner NGOs played a crucial facilitation role to arrive at consensus & adhering to the project principles.

Principles of LC:

The guiding principles as agreed by the participants of the workshop were:

• Ownership lies with the VDS, rest all actors are facilitators.
• Transparency and Impartial decision-making will be followed.
• Equity in supporting people/CBO’s. For e.g. representation of poor/ landless/women in decision making body, priority while selecting beneficiaries
• Equal gender participation (atleast 50% women) in decision-making.
• Sustainable management of LC should be the focus. A perspective vision could be developed for revolving & developing the LC amount.
• Proper maintenance of Accounts and documentation for LC lending (CBOs or individuals)
• A portion of the LC reserved for emergency purposed.
• Linkages with other CBO’s /Institutions /Govt/ Non-Govt agencies should be developed.
• Grama sabha gives the final approval for adoption of the rules & regulations on LC management

Please contact PSMU office for the detailed report of the Local Contribution Guidelines.

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