devinitorg/iati-policy-markers huggingface dataset:
Food Safety and Agriculture Commercialization Program The program is aligned with ADB's Strategy 2030, specifically the operational priorities on promoting rural development and food security and strengthening governance and institutional capacity. Moreover, the government's 14th periodic plan (FY2016/2017-FY2018/2019), 15th five-year plan (FY2019/2020-FY2023/2024), and Envisioning Nepal 2030 have highlighted the modernization and commercialization of agriculture sector as a national development priority in the country's aspiration to attain middle-income status by 2030.  The ADB-assisted Agriculture Development Strategy (ADS), 2015-2035 provides the government's 20-year strategic direction for the agriculture sector in Nepal, with a vision for a self-reliant, sustainable, competitive, and inclusive agriculture sector. The program aligns well with the four ADS outcomes: (i) improved governance, with measures such as improving the credibility of policy commitment; (ii) higher productivity, with activities for improving quality and availability of key inputs and extension services; (iii) profitable commercialization, with measures such as improving value-chain linkages; and (iv) increased competitiveness through increase in agricultural exports, and food safety and security, among others.
Community-Managed Irrigated Agriculture Sector - Additional Financing The additional financing is for the current project, which is performing well. The project will expand project outputs and activities to additional areas. It has a high degree of readiness in design, implementation, and safeguards. The project's design and implementation arrangements have been reviewed during loan processing and adjustments made as necessary. The project remains technically feasible, economically viable, and financially sound. It supports the government's development objectives and is accorded top priority by the government.
Nepal Earthquake Disaster Response Humanitarian Assistance A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on 25 April 2015, with the epicenter in Lamjung District (north-west) of Kathmandu. As of 26 April 2015, the death toll stands at over 2,288 people and the injured at more than 5,850 people, but observers believe these numbers are likely to increase.  A United Nations situation report  confirms that 30 out of 75 districts in the country have been affected in the Western and Central Regions, including Kathmandu Valley districts. This includes mountainous and hilly areas, in areas where rural populations are dispersed, as well as some very densely populated districts and Nepal?s two largest cities?greater Kathmandu and Pokhara. The worst affected districts include Sindulpalchowk, Kavre, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Dolakha in the central region; and Kaski, Gorkha, and Lamjung in the western region. 

The impacts of the earthquake and its aftershocks in the Kathmandu Valley include collapsed historic buildings in the center of Kathmandu. Roads and other infrastructure have been severely affected, and the delivery of relief goods and services has become difficult. The residents are already facing serious shortages of food, water, and other essential items. Many houses in the worst affected areas are believed to have collapsed. The majority of the populations remain outside their houses due to fear of aftershocks and structural damage to buildings. The Nepalese media report that stores are running out of food and especially water. Hospitals are overcrowded and running short on emergency medical supplies. Doctors from hospitals are reported to be treating people in the streets.

The Government of Nepal (Government) declared a state of emergency for the 11 affected districts on the evening on 25 April 2015 and has requested international assistance, particularly for the most critical humanitarian needs of the population. This includes (i) search and rescue capacity; (ii) medical teams, supplies, tenting for hospitals, and body bags for the dead; (iii) heavy equipment for removal of rubble; and (iv) helicopters for transport and access to blocked areas. To help alleviate resource constraints faced by the Government. Based on an immediate needs assessment, the proposed emergency funds will be used primarily for (i) search and rescue operations; (ii) medical assistances; (iii) provision of medical kits, tents, food and drinking water; (iv) provision of water treatment units and hygiene kits; (v) debris shifting; (vi) site clearance; (vii) safe disposal of rubble; and (viii) restoration of damaged communication and transport links to facilitate distribution of humanitarian needs to the affected populations.
Governance Support Program (Subprogram I) The grant will support the initiatives of the Government in ensuring good governance, as reflected in more transparent, predictable, and accountable central and local government administration, as well as better frontline service delivery and less corruption in the public sector, through active public participation.
Community Irrigation Project The project  will develop or improve small-scale irrigation systems in 12 districts in Nepal through a community-driven process targeted at the poor, women, and other disadvantaged groups. Small irrigation systems are defined as systems with less than 25 hectares of irrigation area in the hills and mountains and less than 200 hectares in the Terai plains. The participating districts were selected because of their high poverty, food insecurity and irrigation potential. They are Kanchanpur, Kailali, Dang, Kapilvastu in the Terai plains; Doti, Salyan, Rukum, Rolpa, Pyuthan in the hills; and Bajhang, Jumla, Mugu in the mountains. As the first large-scale intervention in small irrigation development in Nepal, the project will demonstrate participatory irrigation planning and management and build the capacity of all levels of the government for small-scale irrigation development. Farmers will form or strengthen existing water users associations (WUAs) to apply for project support. The project will provide support to rehabilitate and build new surface water irrigation schemes and to develop groundwater irrigation through shallow tube wells. It will also facilitate access to microfinance support and provide extension services. For farmers without access to electricity who are installing shallow tube wells, the project will connect them to the electricity network. WUAs will in turn learn to manage water more efficiently and equitably, maintain their systems, and apply improved agricultural practices.
South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Power Transmission and Distribution System Strengthening Project The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide a loan to the Government of Nepal (the government) to (a) upgrade 220/132 kilovolt (kV) substations to 400/220/132 kV substations to enable electricity generated from independent power producer (IPPs) plants in the Khimti hydropower corridor to be exported to India; (b) construction of three 132/11 kV substations in Teku, Koteshwor, and Thapathali which will increase supply capacity into the Kathmandu Valley; (c) modernizing and reinforcing four distribution centers around Kathmandu Valley  to be able to meet increasing domestic demand for electricity; and (d) construction of 33 kV, 11 kV, and 0.4 kV lines and substations to facilitate connection of approximately 150,000 new customers in Nepal's Province 2 in the country's southeast region The proposed project complements the efforts of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)  to strengthen parts of Nepal's high-voltage transmission network and complete Nepal's portion of the second cross-border transmission line with India for increasing electricity trade.
Regional Urban Development Project The project will improve the resilience and delivery of urban services and facilities in eight municipalities in the southern Terai region of Nepal bordering India, including four municipalities from the less-developed Province 7 in far western Nepal. The project will support municipal infrastructure investments, urban planning, and institutional strengthening.
The eight cities have high population growth rates, are severely lacking investment, and are experiencing a high level of environmental degradation.
Rural Finance Sector Development Cluster Program (Subprogram 2) The Program is the second of two subprograms under the Cluster Program. The objective of the Program is to improve the soundness, efficiency, and outreach of the Borrower's rural finance sector through policy, legal, regulatory and institutional reform.
Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Improvement Project ADB and the Government of Nepal are working together to help the residents of the Kathmandu Valley to obtain greater access to clean water on a long-term basis. The Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Improvement Project is working to improve the efficiency and the reliability of the water supply system in the area while at the same time upgrading the infrastructure at the water source areas through a related project that is constructing the Melamchi tunnel and expanding the water treatment plant This project is expanding reservoirs, capacity and providing water connections with a focus on serving the poor and households headed by women. The long-term goal of the project is to provide affordable, clean water to the people of Kathmandu Valley for years to come.
Rural Enterprise Financing Project The project will promote and finance commercial agribusiness enterprises collective owned by small farmers (collective enterprises) and individual small enterprises (individual enterprises) through Small Farmers Development Bank (SFDB), an apex development bank owned by Small Farmers Agriculture Cooperatives (SFACs). SFDB provides wholesale loans to SFACs; then SFACs relend to their small famer members. Under the project, SFACs will relend the loan proceeds to their members' collective enterprises and individual enterprises.
Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Improvement Project - Additional Financing The Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Improvement Project is working to improve the efficiency and the reliability of the water supply system in the area while at the same time upgrading the infrastructure at the water source areas for the valley. This includes the expansion of the water treatment plant, expanding reservoirs, and providing water connections with a focus on serving the poor and households headed by women.
Water Resources Project Preparatory Facility The project impact will be accelerated expansion of areas covered by irrigation, drainage and flood control infrastructure. The outcome will be improved readiness of water resources management projects for implementation. The Project's expected outputs are: (i) detailed feasibility studies for high priority water resources projects undertaken; (ii) environmental, social, and technical capacity of the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation (DWRI) improved; (iii) Irrigation Master Plan updated;  and (iv) efficient project management.

Given the ADB country strategy and government priorities, the Project will (i) prepare a project for the rehabilitation and expansion of farmer managed irrigation systems, and the rehabilitation and partial management transfer of some agency-managed irrigation systems; (ii) undertake water-induced hazard mapping and prepare a water-induced disaster prevention project for a priority river basin; and, (iii) prepare other high priority projects as identified by DWRI. The Project will prepare these projects to a level of detailed feasibility which includes technical study, safeguard screening and plans preparation, and economic and financial analysis of at least 30% of subprojects for project readiness, thereby advancing activities which would normally occupy the first one or two years of implementation.

The Project will enhance the capacities of staff of the DWRI through formal and on-the-job training (including participation in project preparation under the Project). Importantly, the Project will reorganize and strengthen the existing Environment Section of DWRI as a Social and Environment Section with (i) clear terms of reference of the section, (ii) environmental and social safeguards guidelines developed to ensure safeguard planning and implementation process complies with the national laws, regulations and ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement requirements; and (iii) gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) guidelines on project planning and implementation prepared.

The Project will help update the Irrigation Master Plan with a view to the sustainable development and management of irrigation systems in the country until 2030.  Changes in land use, water use, agricultural technology, irrigation and water resources policy and legislation, and the extent of irrigation development since the Master Plan was prepared will be reviewed.
Electricity Grid Modernization Project – Additional Financing ADB approved the Electricity Grid Modernization Project (the project) amounting to $156 million on 26 November 2020 financed by ADB?s concessional OCR. The legal agreements were signed on 30 December 2020, and the project became effective on 4 February 2021. The original loan closing date is 30 September 2026. 

The outcome of the ongoing project is to improve reliability, efficiency, and financial sustainability of electricity supply in Nepal. The ongoing project includes three main outputs: (i) electricity transmission capacity in project areas strengthened and modernized (output 1); (ii) electricity distribution system in project areas strengthened and modernized (output 2); and (iii) capacity of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to implement its Corporate Development Plan strengthened (output 3).  The executing agency for the project is NEA. 

The proposed additional financing is for NEA to further improve transmission and distribution network in the country (output 1 and 2) and is programmed to be delivered in 2021 as Electricity Grid Modernization Project ? Additional Financing in ADB?s Country Operations Business Plan (COBP) 2021?2023 for Nepal.
Strengthening Public Financial Management and Devolved Service Delivery Program (Subprogram 1) The program adopts a programmatic approach to properly sequence reforms and ensure the needed flexibility while implementing multi-year, multi-component policy reforms at national and subnational government (SNG) levels. It covers two reform areas: (i) expenditure management at the federal level and (ii) resource planning and management in SNGs. Subprogram 1 prioritizes medium-term reforms to create institutional and policy frameworks and operational strategies. Subprogram 2 prioritizes follow-on reforms to implement the frameworks and strategies to promote a sustained and resilient economic recovery over the medium term.
Civil Aviation Sector Improvement Program The proposed sector development program will (i) support civil aviation sector reforms in restructuring of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, strengthening of regulatory functions, management governance and business plan development in operations, financial restructuring, operational efficiency improvement, and civil aviation safety (the program component); and (ii) provide project financing for improvement of airport facilities at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini (the investment component).
Rural Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Sector Development Program (Project grant) The goal of the Program is to improve the living conditions and well-being of number of people int he conflict affected areas by restoring basic social infrstructure, community and public services, and livelihoods. The Program will provide basic needs in the conflict-affected areas through income-generation activities through rural roads, water supply and sanitation, community development and institutional infrastructure.
Transport Project Preparatory Facility (formerly Transport Project Preparatory and Capacity Development Facility) The facility will assist the government's effort to ensure that critically important road and air transport projects are implemented efficiently by systematically advancing the preparatory activities. The facility will identify and prepare high-priority projects for potential funding by the government and or by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or other development partners in the country. This preparation will include feasibility studies, safeguard due diligence, detail engineering design, bidding documents, and procurement assistance for advance contracting (if appropriate). This will contribute significantly to (i) improving the implementation performance of the ensuing projects by reducing the period between project concept and loan approval and the commencement of improvement works, (ii) helping to achieve the intended outcomes efficiently, and (iii) realizing the projects- impacts and benefits in a timely manner. The facility will also provide capacity development support to help establish an enabling environment, supporting the government's goal of developing transport infrastructure under public-private partnership (PPP). The facility will prepare transport projects that will contribute to improving connectivity and accessibility throughout the country. The facility is also relevant to ADB's sector strategy in support of the government's goal of achieving regionally balanced economic growth and reduced social inequalities.
Education Sector Program - Subprogram 3 ADB launched the Education Sector Program (ESP) cluster in 2006 to support the preparation and implementation of school sector reform (SSR). The ESP adopted a program cluster approach to phase ADB assistance. Three subprograms were envisioned in accordance with the time frame and progress of the SSR from 2007 onward. The ESP subprogram I, approved on 1 December 2006, supports the Nepal EFA program (2004-2009) for basic and primary education (grades 1-5) with a program loan for $30 million from FY2007 to FY2009. A capacity development grant of $2 million complements the ESP subprogram I to develop government stakeholders' capacity in policy analysis, formulation, and coordination. It also supports the preparation of an SSR core document. The ESP subprogram II, approved on 24 January 2008, supports the preparation and transition to SSR from FY2008 to FY2011, in particular a model-building exercise of the basic education extension to grades 1-8 in a few districts, as well as broad capacity development for system readiness.
The ESP subprogram III is proposed to support the Government in the implementation of the SSR program from 2009 onward. Subprogram III will cover the period from FY2010 to FY2012, during which the Government will focus on the implementation of basic education restructuring, while model building activities will be initiated for secondary education and technical education and vocational training (TEVT).
South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Power System Expansion Project-Additional Financing ADB assisted the Government of Nepal in increasing capacity of national power grid and enhancing renewable energy development. The South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Power System Expansion Project is building more than 200 kilometers of power transmission lines, as well as substations, along Kali Gandaki corridor in the Himalayas and Marsyangdi-Kathmandu route. The project is also building or upgrading more than 1,000 kilometers of power distribution lines in the east, central, and west regions of the country. To bring affordable renewable energy to remote areas, the project is building small hydroelectric power plants, as well as mini-grid based solar and solar/wind hybrid energy systems.
Education Sector Program I The overall objective of the Education Sector Program I (ESP I) is to contribute to poverty reduction in Nepal by increasing the level of education attainment, particularly for girls and disadvantaged groups. ESP I aims at achieving: (i) improved policy interventions in primary and basic education and performance targets under the Nepal Education for All (EFA) 2004-2009, and (ii) a broadly accepted and financed 1-12 school sector reform and restructuring framework, for implementation by FY2010. ESP I will support  EFA by joining the Joint Financing Agreement (JFA). It will help finance the three remaining years of EFA, and help monitor, assess and improve policy implementation under EFA jointly with other pooling donors. Furthermore, ESP I will support the Government's ongoing process of preparing a policy, governance, management, and financing framework appropriate for an integrated 1-12 school sector. This support will be provided in a joint and harmonized manner with other donors in the context of a program based approach.
Rural Connectivity Improvement Project The proposed project will construct about 388 kilometers of rural roads to all-weather standard covering 16 priority rural development districts throughout the country. The project will also focus on improving institutional arrangements, business processes, and associated capacity building, particularly on road asset management and road safety. The proposed project will also play a catalytic role for the sustainable development of rural areas.
Earthquake Emergency Assistance Project Through this project, the Asian Development Bank will support the Government of Nepal in its efforts to put thousands of children back into schools, return vital government services to desperate communities, and create jobs and income for families by repairing critical road networks. The project will rebuild or repair least 700 schools damaged by the earthquake. The schools that are rebuilt or repaired under the project will include stronger construction and engineering specifications that are designed to help the structures withstand future disasters. They will also include improved bathrooms with separate facilities for boys and girls. As part of the project, disaster risk management principles and awareness will be developed in the communities surrounding the refurbished schools. To get vital social services to the people as quickly as possible, transitional government offices will be established while disaster-resistant structures are being built and furnished. The project will also repair and improve about 135 km of strategic roads and about 450 km of rural roads damaged by the earthquake and landslides. The roads will be rebuilt with improved road safety features and designed to withstand future disasters and the impact of climate change. The long term outcome of the work being done under the project is the construction of roads, schools and government buildings that are designed to withstand the disasters of the future. This will speed up the social and economic recovery of communities devastated by the earthquake.
Priority River Basins Flood Risk Management Project The Government of Nepal has requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the development of the Priority River Basins Flood Risk Management Project, which focuses on seven priority river basins in the Terai Region: West Rapti, Mawa-Ratuwa, Lakhandehi, Mohana, Khutiya, East Rapti, and Bakraha.  Collectively, 22,000 ha of the priority river basins and 95,000 people are exposed to 1-in-50-year flood. The project areas have minimal reactive embankment interventions, which provide limited flood protection. Between 1991 and 2015, the priority river basins experienced 390 floods, of which: (i) 35 floods caused economic damage of at least NRe1 million; (ii) 37 floods caused a total of 440 deaths; and (iii) 79 floods caused total destruction of more than 10 households. The flood risk is expected to increase as more people and assets locate in vulnerable areas in the Terai Region, which will be further exacerbated by climate change.  The project aims to reduce flood-related economic and social losses in the priority river basins by strengthening integrated disaster risk management approaches. The direct project beneficiaries include local communities within the project area, DWRI, and the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM). Public sector support is justified as it is unlikely that the private sector would invest as project benefits are mainly social.