Bhutan

Joint Support Programme: Capacity Development for Mainstreaming Environment, Climate Change and Poverty Concerns in Policies, Plans and Programmes

The Joint Support Programme on Capacity Development for Mainstreaming Environment, Climate Change and Poverty Concerns in Policies, Plans and Programmes aims to develop the capacity of local governments (Dzongkhags and Gewogs) to manage the environment, natural resources, and the effects of climate change. It intends to do this within the overarching 10^th Five-Year Plan goal of alleviating poverty and the crosscutting development theme of environment.

The aim of the Joint Support Programme is to contribute to the reduction of poverty in Bhutan, which is of highest priority to the RGoB. The development objective of the Joint Support Programme is: "sustainable development planning and implementation are undertaken at national and local levels that contribute to: alleviation of climate change impacts; conservation, protection and sustainable use of natural resources; and poverty reduction".

The expected outcomes of the Joint Support Programme are: "1) strengthened national level capacity that facilitates national and local level five-year planning and implementation by mainstreaming environment, climate change and poverty concerns in policies, plans and programmes; and 2) strengthened local level capacity to formulate and implement five-year development plans and annual plans in which environment, climate change and poverty concerns are mainstreamed".

The Joint Support Programme grant is made up of a contribution of DKK 20 million from Denmark, and approximately USD 860,000 from UNDP/UNEP PEI Programme. The fund transfer modality of the joint partnership (UNDP/UNEP & Representation Office of Denmark) will be parallel i.e. each agency will transfer its contribution directly to the government for implementation.  The programme duration is four years (2010 - 2013). The implementation of Joint Support Programme is coordinated by the Development Cooperation Division (DCD) together with the Plan Monitoring Coordination Division (PMCD) and Local Development Division (LDD) of the GNHC Secretariat. Implementation of the two outcomes will be the responsibility of different agencies, under the overall supervision of a Programme Management Group, to be serviced by DCD, PMCD and LDD.

UNDAF Outcome	1: By 2012, opportunities for generation of income and employment increased in targeted poor areas. 5: By 2012, national capacity for environmental sustainability and disaster management strengthened.
CT Outcome	1.2.2: Capacity of relevant agencies and affected communities enhanced to address the environment-poverty nexus. 5.1.1: Capacity of national and local authorities/agencies to mainstream environmental concerns strengthened. 5.1.2: Environment mainstreaming tools developed. 5.1.3: National capacity and tools to address cross-cutting/current issues related to environment.
CT Output	1.2: Food security among small holder farmers and other vulnerable groups in targeted rural areas enhanced. 5.1: National capacity to address current environmental challenges and mainstream environmental concerns into policies, plans and programs enhanced.
Project Location	Central and Eastern Region
Project Duration	January 2010 - December 2013
Budget Outlay	USD 4,130,000
MDG Goal	Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger. Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability.
Link to Workplan	Click on the icon to download