| Overview : (OPEN FOR ONLY NEPALESE FIRMS) UNDP has been implementing the Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDEP) in partnership with the Ministry of Industry (MOI) since 1998. Australia has been funding MEDEP since Phase I and has remained its major donor since the Phase III. Since its inception, MEDEP has significantly contributed to poverty alleviation through micro-entrepreneurship development targeted at people living below the poverty line and is implemented in 38 of Nepal’s 75 districts. Considering the effectiveness of the MEDEP modality in alleviating rural poverty, the Government of Nepal (GON) has adapted the MEDEP model for its Micro Enterprise Development for Poverty Alleviation (MEDPA) programme. MEDPA was initiated in 2009/10 and is currently implemented in 64 districts; the GoN’s plan is to expand MEDPA to all the 75 districts of Nepal by 2017/18.
Among other things, supporting the capacity development of the MoI, the institutionalization of the MEDEP approach, and the district handover involves transferring some MEDEP funds through the Micro Enterprise Development Fund (MEDF) established by the DDC at the district level The MEDF is envisioned as a basket fund where resources will be pooled from various sources, including government, local bodies and other donors to implement MED programmes in the district. Following the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) framework , funds from MEDEP will be transferred only to those graduated districts with “medium” or "low" risk (). Hence UNDP/MEDEP intend to conduct Micro Assessments of MEDEP/MEDPA districts. Immediately, we are planning to conduct asssement of Surkhet, Dhanusha, Rautahat, Sindhuli, Salyan, Myagdi, Darchula and Saptari. |
