Questions/Answers

Recognizing the continued prevalence of poverty in Bhutan with 12% of the population living under poverty in 2012 in spite of rapid economic development, the Royal Government accorded highest priority in addressing poverty during the 11th Five Year Plan (2013-2018). The Rural Economy Advancement Programme was piloted in the 10th Five Year Plan (2008-2013) and covered 10 poorest villages. Having learnt the benefits of REAP from pilot REAP project,, the GNH Commission decided to upscale the targeted programme and continue in the Eleventh FYP (2013-2018) as REAP Phase II. While the broad-based development programmes contributed to alleviate poverty, the REAP seeks to target the extreme poverty that may not be adequately addressed through broad-based development programmes. The following strategies were adopted: 1. REAP carried out its interventions at the village level and the poorest villages were selected using objective criteria, namely, multi-dimensional poverty index (MPI). 2. Based on the dimension of standard of living, health, education, community vitality, financial security and food security, the communities and government officials identified a set of interventions to address deprivations in each of the six dimensions. 3. To promote participation of the poor in planning and implementation of their own development plans, the communitiesl prepared respective village development plans (VDPs) in accordance to Village Participatory Planning Guidelines (VPPG), which outlined the procedures and requirements.

The main objectives of the meeting were 1. To alleviate extreme poverty in Bhutan; 2. To provide sustainable livelihood to the extreme poor, especially in the areas of standard of living, health, education, community vitality, financial security and food security; 3. To promote community participation, especially the poor, in planning and implementation of their own development

1.Reaching the poorest and most vulnerable through inclusive services and partnerships; The program focuses on reaching the poorest who still need support in addition to our broad based social development plans. 2. Making institutions inclusive and ensuring participation in decision-making; Communities are involved in identifying issues and developing interventions as per the village participatory planning guidelines developed under this programme. Communities are also involved in developing their intervention. 3. Promoting gender responsive public services to achieve the SDGs Under the programme some interventions address gender issues. For instance: 1. Water supply , smokeless stoves, introduction of biogas, and machinery are provided to address hardship and time, and health issues faced by women. 2. Some of the cooperatives established under the programme are also headed by women. 3. The participatory planning guidelines also have a requirement to where women have to make up at-least on third of the village development committee. And facilitation teams are also encouraged to have women facilitators for women's groups.

The initiative aligns to the 2030 agenda in the following manner: 1. It takes services to the most marginalized and vulnerable communities directly contributing to the principle of leaving no one behind. 2. It includes the communities themselves in identifying issues, and then planning and developing interventions. 3. The interventions are multidimensional in nature so the initiative contributes to various SDGs. 4. The program has also partnered with NGOs in the implementation of the interventions to improve delivery.

1. The programme covered communities living in the 75 poorest villages in the country. These communities had remained poor despite massive investments by the government in social programmes. This initiative improved the targeting aspect of our poverty intervention programmes. it also enhanced the participation of the poorest communities in the identification of the issues faced by them and also engaged them in development of the interventions.

2. It addressed their deprivations on the dimension of standard of living, health, education, community vitality, financial security and food security faced by the communities. Thresholds for set for the dimensions below which the communities were considered deprived. The thresholds were also used as targets to be achieved. The thresholds were based on accepted national and international standards. It was designed to enhance the living standards by improving access to improved sanitation and water supply, income generation opportunities through skills development programs. In addition the food and nutrition needs of the communities were addressed through agriculture, livestock, dairy, and poultry development initiatives.

This is the first time that a targeted poverty reduction program based on an multidimensional concept has been initiated in the country. Further it is also the first time that plans have been developed at village level. It is also the first time we have partnered with NGOs to implement the poverty interventions.

This is the first time that a targeted poverty reduction program based on an multidimensional concept has been initiated in the country. Further it is also the first time that plans have been developed at village level. It is also the first time we have partnered with NGOs to implement the poverty interventions.

1. Human resources used: Staff from the Commission to develop the concept, framework, and strategy. Hired enumerators to conduct the survey. Engaged Officials form Local Governments, and communities to refine and revise the framework, strategy, and also in the identification of issues and development of the village development plans. 2. A total of about USD 2 million from the Government of India was used to finance implementation of the activities.

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Given the success of the initiative, we have moved onto addressing poverty at a household level based on a multi-dimensional poverty concept.

The interventions developed under the progamme, particularly with respect to income generation have been developed with the objective of ensuring households have sustainable sources of income. Households have been provided with skills development and resources to start an initiative. Some have also formed cooperatives to earn income as groups.

The interventions developed under the progamme, particularly with respect to income generation have been developed with the objective of ensuring households have sustainable sources of income. Households have been provided with skills development and resources to start an initiative. Some have also formed cooperatives to earn income as groups.

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The pilot phase was evaluated. The evaluation was carried out by a consulting firm using DAC criteria of; impact, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, and relevance.A scientific inquiry method was developed and used to carry out the evaluation, while also drawing on the guidelines provided in the ToR as well as the UNDP monitoring and evaluation policy to collect credible, reliable, and useful data. The Data collection method in particular used a mixed method to allow for triangulation of information from variety of sources. Evaluation design matrix built around the key questions given in the ToR was used to guide the overall methodology including the development of questionnaires.

The following were the broad finding of the evaluation report: Relevance:The program is designed and appropriately implemented strengthening the technical and institutional capacities for poverty alleviation in the poorest villages in Bhutan. The relevance and suitability of the interventions to the beneficiaries needs were confirmed during the process of this evaluation especially in the field. Effectiveness:The program’s effectiveness is rated as highly satisfactory. The purpose of the program was satisfactorily achieved. Outstanding progress was made against planned outcomes and life in the poorest villages changed for better. The planned outputs, and activities, effectively contributed to the achievement of the program’s original goals and targets Efficiency: The outputs and over 11 major thematic activities carried out were technically adequate and implemented within the agreed time frame in the annual work plans or amended in consultation with the beneficiaries and LGs. The implementation efficiency is considered= satisfactory as planned activities were implemented at reasonable cost. Suatainablity: The program design and implementation approach provided a sustainable mechanism for applying capacity building, diversified agricultural production, and development of enterprises for income generation as tools for poverty alleviation.

Indicators related to : 1. Level of income before and after program. 2.Consumption and Expenditure of Household 3.Savings before and after interventions 4. Improvement in access to basic education, health and other livelihood sources improved as a result of the interventions 5.How has the interventions increased the capacity of beneficiaries to sustain outcomes? 6. How equitable was the distribution of benefits among the households within the village? 7.How has the interventions promoted poverty environment linkages 8.How has it empowered beneficiaries to take decisions to switch to environmental friendly systems 9. Have households beeb involved in environmental decision making process to address natural resources and poverty issue 10. Have environmental and livelihood issues been integrated into national, sectoral and local plans?

1. The development of the strategy and framework involved representatives from other relevant government agencies from the central and local levels. 2. Communities were involved in identifying the issues and developing interventions for poverty reduction. 3. NGOs and local governments were involved in implementing the programme.

These were some of the lessons found during the evaluation: 1. Stakeholder involvement and government ownership and civil society partnerships are important tools for poverty alleviation efforts especially when dealing with natural resources as they facilitate participation, better understanding of issues, and cooperation 2.Institutional strengthening and capacity building are critical for achievement of benefits through partnership and stakeholder involvement 3.Micro-enterprise development as a tool for poverty alleviation becomes even more potent when it is linked to environment, agriculture, and livestock. It enhances employment and income generating opportunities for rural poor 4.Saving schemes with revolving micro credit is a sustainable financing mechanism for poor people;