Rivers Project -Counterpart CUTS Cuts @2050-A vision document (Approved by the Cuts Board). Cuts and Oxfam Novib are the likeminded organisation. Cuts@2050-A visiondocument is aligned well with Oxfam Novib. which are aligned to TROSA project.
Rules-based Trade
a) WTO Issues
b) Developmental Issues including sustainability
c) Regional Economic Cooperation
Effective Regulation
a) Competition Policy and Law
b) Economic Regulation
c) Investment Climate and Private Sector Development
d) Digital Economy
Good Governance
a) ConsumerProtection
b) People#s Participation
c) Accountability
d) Access to Information

Introduction  Project
This terms of reference (ToR) is designed for partner engagement of CUTS International in India and Bangladesh for activities proposed under year-3 plan for TROSA program supported by Oxfam.

The activities will be implemented by CUTS International (hereinafter referred to as CUTS) along with Jookto, Karimganj, Assam (JKO); Oxfam India (OIN), North East Research and Social Work Networking (NERSWN(South Salamara, Dhubri, Assam), and Oxfam Bangladesh (OBD).

Scope of Work and Deliverables
 2.1 Objective: Improved policies and practice of governments that protect the rights of riverbasin communities to water resources
Outcome 1: Government policies and practices in water resources management are more inclusive of community concerns and meet national and international standards

2.1.1 Study on #Inclusive spaces on transboundary trade and ease of business focussing on the emerging opportunitiesof Riparian women SHGs in Dhubri-Rowmari region in Indo-Bangladesh border.

2.1.1.1 This study will comprise of FGDs with women farmers, producer companies, traders, boat owners, and Key Informant interviews with officials from Agricultural and Fisheries department, inland water transport department, border security, customs, quarantine etc.It will also include collection of statistics on production details of major agricultural products etc. Attempt will be made to mapthe current budgetary allowancesin developing waterways, including that for dredging within India and along the protocol route.

2.1.1.2 CUTS will conduct visits to project locations of Dhubri, Hatsinghimari, in India and Rowmari, Chilmari and Rangpur in Bangladesh and interact withkey stakeholders. CUTS will share the list of stakeholders well advance for necessary preparations. Based on theinteractions, a list of products will be identified for further research. CUTS will draft the questionnaire for each stakeholder and shareitwithNERSWN/OIN/OBD. These questionnaires will explore the business opportunities/ ease of doing business on those commodities across the border through waterways. A detailed methodology of the proposed study will be shared by CUTS by 20th of September.

NERSWN/OIN: Will take prior appointments with key stakeholders including women SHGs in Dhubri, Hatsinghimari for CUTS# visit and willalso assist CUTS in collecting secondary data from relevant departments in Meghalaya and Assam.

OBD: Will take prior appointments with key stakeholders including women SHGs in Chilmari/ Rowmari will also assist CUTS in collecting secondary data from relevant departments in these locations.
2.1.2 Bilateral dialogue between India and Bangladesh
2.1.2.1 A multi stakeholderdialogue will be organised in the month of April/May 2020 with officials from IWAI, BIWTA, private sector, boat association, traders, CSOs, local government, subject experts etc.
2.1.2.2 CUTS will organise this event either in Kolkata or Guwahati. OBDwillassist in follow-up with participants from Bangladesh. CUTS will cover the travel cost of one representative of OBD and NERSWN to participate in this event. OIN will also ensure its participation.
2.2 Objective 2:  Improved policies and practice ofprivatesector and other actors that respect therights of river basin communities to water resources
Outcome 2- Practices of private sector respect community access to water resources actively contributing to reduce conflict

2.2.1 Meeting with Traders
One meeting will be organized in Meghna basin (Karimganj/Silchar, India) with traders of agricultural commodities from India and Bangladesh in the month of February- March, 2020. The output of the meeting will lead to specific recommendation fromtraders# perspective on current production, logistics, supply chain and regulatory regime.
CUTS and Jookto (CUTS# partner in Barak Valley) will organise this event.
OBD will support in following up with participants from Ashuganj. CUTS will bear the cost of OBD s participation.
OIN and IUCN will participate in this event.

2.3 Objective 3: Outcome 4: River basin communities# increasingly influence in trans-boundary water governance policies and processes
Outcome 3: Local communities are better ableto reduce theirvulnerability to water resource related shock including from conflict <(>&<)> disasters.

2.3.1 Nadi Baithak
Bi monthly meeting will be organised in Meghna basin at community level in three locations in India in Barak Valley using SES approach.
Jookto- CUTSpartner will organise these meetings at community level
OBD- will provide technical support to CUTS. CUTS and Jookto will participate in one of the Nadi Baithak organised by OBD to understand SES approach.
OIN and IUCN will participatein NadiBaithak organised by Jookto in Barak Valley.