On June 18, 2024, the Alternative Foundation successfully organized a Consultation Workshop on Developing Governance Indicators in Nepal at the Local Development Training Academy (LDTA), Lalitpur. This initiative marks a pivotal step in addressing Nepal’s ongoing governance challenges, including corruption, limited public trust, and weak enforcement of accountability mechanisms. Building on the findings of the Corruption Reflection Nepal (CRN) 2023 report, the workshop aimed to promote a citizen-centered governance framework that reflects the lived experiences of Nepali people, especially marginalized communities. Participants included representatives from civil society organizations, governance practitioners, oversight agencies, academics, and local leaders, all united by a shared vision of strengthening transparency, accountability, and public trust in governance.
The workshop introduced a Participatory Governance Indicator Framework, emphasizing inclusivity, localization, and alignment with Nepal’s federal structure. Key sessions featured presentations by Alternative Foundation leaders and governance experts, including Dr. Janak Raj Shah, who presented a three-tier conceptual model focusing on governance actors, functions, and core indicators such as transparency, accountability, participation, rule of law, and equity. The President of Alternative Foundation, Mr. Prakash Bikalpa, and the General Secretary, Mr. R.K. Dhungana, highlighted the Foundation’s broader vision of fostering scientific culture, social justice, and democratic accountability. Participants engaged in interactive group discussions, offering practical insights on indicator design, data collection methods, and strategies for integrating governance monitoring into local and national development plans.
The workshop concluded with a collective commitment to advance this critical governance reform agenda. Key next steps include broader provincial consultations, pilot surveys, and the formation of a high-level steering committee to finalize and institutionalize the Governance Indicator Framework. Hon. Ramhari Khatiwada, Chair of the Good Governance Committee of Nepal’s House of Representatives, praised the initiative and pledged parliamentary support for its integration into national policy. The Alternative Foundation reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for democratic innovation and inclusive governance, calling on all stakeholders government bodies, civil society, academia, and citizens to collaborate in shaping a transparent, accountable, and responsive governance system for Nepal’s future.
