View source for Community Based Research, Project Management and Donor Reporting KM Interface Development in Nepal and Bhutan

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|topics=KM and KS in General, Group Methods and Knowledge Sharing, Capacity Development
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== '''Community Based Research, Project Management and Donor Reporting KM Interface Development in Nepal and Bhutan''' ==

'''Summary Description'''

Aleevee8 [(http://www.aleevee8.com)] is a ground-breaking, resilient social business model, replicable in developing mountain communities around the world. The focus is on creating markets at the bottom of the economic pyramid and to use those markets to sustainably finance poverty reduction. After extensive, privately funded research and development aleevee8 CIC, a UK registered Social Enterprise, was formed to pioneer sustainable poverty alleviation programmes using eco-tourism. We are engaged in both the Nepal and Bhutan Himalayan region for the pilot programmes.

The Pilot Project revolves around the construction of community-owned eco-lodges along a wilderness trekking route. These eco-lodges will deliver high value, low impact tourism. As economic engines and following targeted capacity-building, skills-enhancement and the necessary knowledge transfer programs, these lodges will be owned and operated by the local communities. aleevee8 CIC will undertake the branding, sales and marketing and ensure quality controls for the ‘eco-route product.’ A local supply chain will be financially and technically supported to ensure all produce and services for the eco-lodges are locally sourced. It will become an all-encompassing and self-sustaining economic eco-system with environmental conservation at its heart and community empowerment as its soul. Fully scalable and replicable model, additional eco-routes are being researched for Nepal, Peru, Bhutan, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia & India amongst others.
Our distinctive eco-tourism business model ensures that profits of the trekking route go to those communities who should directly benefit. In the process, the model protects the environment, engages and develops local communities and allows for the responsible and sustainable management of tourism. Additionally, the vertically integrated business model derives other revenue streams. The aleevee8 Foundation is the recipient of these funds and will apply them to the core component of its social enhancement goals – education; Community Awareness Programmes (CAPs) play a crucial role.

The major objectives of the CAP’s are to strengthen communication, education and public awareness efforts across a varying range of topics throughout the rural communities in cooperation with local partners. Preliminary research has identified common areas of potential interest such as:• Human trafficking prevention and vulnerability awareness• Domestic violence issues• Substance and alcohol education and rehabilitation• Gender equality and empowerment of women• Access to schooling for girls• Environmental health education• Community health and personal care awareness• Infant and maternal mortality rate reduction• Child development and protection issues• Ageing population issues• Personal growth and development through all-inclusive education processes• Community disintegration causes and potential remedies• Conservation / environmental protection.

Underpinning the aleevee8 Foundation’s Social Impact Model is a ‘Theory of Change’ which commits to community ownership, co-creation and inclusion thereby ensuring total empowerment of all community members at every level of the project. Empowering the community to have a direct say in how funds are spent within their communities leads to projects that better match community needs and have a greater chance of long term success. In the case of economic development projects, as is proposed here, success means breaking the debilitating and non-sustainable aid dependency cycle - the ultimate ‘systems change’ we seek.

Aleevee8’s impact reporting is highly technical, following leading international standards currently Global Impact Investing Rating System (GIIRS) and the Impact Reporting and Investment Standards (IRIS) that can be used directly by all, whether this is the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) Generation3/4 framework or other.

'''An indication of the relevance and potential benefit to the KM4Dev community''' 

After self-funding for 2 years aleevee8 is deploying a combined team of international and locally engaged SME’s to conduct community based research in both Nepal and Bhutan from November 2012 to 31st January 2013 with the following goals of relevance to the KM4Dev community: a) Conduct community based research on practical issues which face mountain communities in the selected areas aimed and rescuing Traditional Knowledge and identifying priority issues. b) Capturing and evaluating this information to develop a database and information exchange methodology that can be applied at local and international levels. c) Combining social research into project management and donor engagement software in a user friendly format providing full transparency. d) Incorporating current best practices and experience gained on projects such as the Afghan Information Management System (AIMS), and other existing KM systems such as NEXUS. e) Developing an interface which facilitates crowd solutions and interactions between the KM4Dev community, aleeve8 field research teams and interested stakeholders. 

'''Who (individuals and/or organisations) are involved?'''

a) Field research team including aleevee8 Field Operations Director (Mr Les Simm – KM4Dev member), Liverpool John Moores University (Dr Sara Parker and one researcher) and Nepal and Bhutanese SME’s. b) International: Consultation in Nepal, Bhutan and London with UN, DFID, World Bank, Diplomatic Missions and other INGO’s and institutions. c) National: Consultation with Nepal and Bhutan Government Ministries (Tourism, Forestry and Agriculture, Travel and Communication etc,) Professional and business organisations and the NGO community. d) Local: Consultation with community groups and local stakeholders including Village and District development Committees in Gurkha and Paro regions.

'''What the funding requirements will be (maximum USD 5,000)?'''
 
The maximum of USD 5,000 is requested to contribute to the following: i. Field research in the Gurkha region of Nepal and the Paro region in Bhutan. December 1st 2012 – January 31st 2013. USD 2,000 ii. Consultations and interviews in Kathmandu and Thimphu USD 1,500


'''Deliverables - USD 1,500'''

Research findings Report by 31 January 2013 to include; i. short, medium and long term community requirements ii. specific projects identified iii. plan to develop the stakeholder user methodology and interface package ready for submission to potential donors iv. KM4Dev specific observations v. e-conference or equivalent online procedure to engage KM4Dev community.