Creating Employment Opportunities in Public Work: YETI Empowers Nepal's Local Governments

Reviving Religious and Natural Heritage

Kamalpokhari in Ward 13 of the Pokhara Metropolitan City holds prominence from religious and environmental point of view. On the verge of extinction a few years ago, this natural heritage has got a new life after cleaning. To restore this site, the Ward Office provided temporary employment opportunities to the listed applicants.

Spread over an area of 70 ropanis (3.56 hectares), Kamalpokhari has a snake idol in the middle. A special worship is performed there every year on the day of Nag Panchami and is choc-o-bloc with devotees. According to the Ward Chairperson Kiran Baral, special steps are being taken to protect the wetland. "We have been creating employment opportunities during its conservation and will take additional steps in the coming days. The YETI project has inspired us to chip in more budget for better implementation of cash for work programs for youth employment. The beneficiaries of temporary employment are very happy. YETI is a great initiative," he said.

According to Ward Member Suchit Tamang, until a few years ago, the pond was inundated with water during monsoon causing flood in the surrounding settlements. Deposits of soil eroded down from the hills made the pond shallower. "Construction of drainage for better water outlet, removal of excess soil deposits and fencing around have been completed now. In addition, the local Vishwakarma Community has been playing a significant role in protecting this heritage, so we are optimistic about the development of tourism here in the days to come," she added. 

Coordinator at Employment Service Center Bishnu prasad Dahal said, "As the Ward office has taken ownership of the YETI project seriously, it has resulted in this exemplary work here. In addition to this, the beneficiaries employed in regular cleaning of drains have been able to earn for daily living and the public has got a respite from clogged drainages.”

Harnessing Collaboration at the Local Level

Ghyangswara Martyr Memorial and Sports Park in Nuwakot has become a new attraction for local tourists. Spread across 10 ropanis (0.508 hectares) of land in Ward 4 of Panchakanya Rural Municipality, the park also accommodates two picnic shades, swings and slides for children. 

The Rural Municipality Office led an overhaul of previously untended slopes to convert them into the park. Built in different phases since 2021, it has been opened to the public following a formal inauguration in March 2023.

According to the Coordinator at the Employment Service Centre (ESC) Saroj Kumar Khati, the construction of the park provided temporary employment opportunities for beneficiaries of the Youth Employment Transformation Initiative (YETI) Project.   

“As mandated by YETI project policies, we have been spending budget entirely on beneficiaries’ wages. Likewise, budget disbursed by the federal and the local government under various categories have helped us purchase construction tools and materials. I feel extremely happy when people from economically poor families get employment opportunities and contribute to maintenance of public infrastructures,” he said.

The Rural Municipality allocated five million Nepali rupees for additional infrastructures adjoining the park in 2022. As a result, a guest house and a 640-meter staircase leading to Bhumishwar temple from the park have been built for public convenience. Metal railings on either side of the staircase have been added with a budget of four million Nepali rupees provided by the Ministry of Tourism. 

Technical Assistant at the ESC Kapil Shahi Thakuri shared that the Municipal office has also allotted 10-15 ropanis (approx 1 hectar) of land beside the park for tea farming. 

“In collaboration with the Prime Minister Employment Program/YETI Project, the agriculture unit and the health unit of the Rural Municipality are preparing for the procurement and transportation of tea seeds/saplings from Illam,” he said.

According to the Chairperson of Panchakanya Rural Municipality Tej Bahadur Tamang, the local government has been exploring different means of enhancing the economic condition of the people in the municipality. 

“As the local government is also responsible to create employment opportunities within the municipality, we have been working closely with the ESC for this purpose. The proposed tea estate is an attempt towards fulfilling the responsibility. I have a dream to develop the current sports ground into a stadium in future and organize regular sports tournaments to provide employment opportunities to the youths here,” he added.