The ‘Society for Participatory and Cultural Education’ (SPACE), one of AWO International’s local partner organizations in Nepal, is implementing the project ‘Community Empowerment & Sustainable Livelihood’ (CESL) in five VDCs of Bardiya District (Mid-Western Region of Nepal) since October 2009. The project targets mainly freed Kamaiyas (former bonded labourers), and provides livelihood support to 13.250 beneficiaries from 2.500 households through various kinds of interventions. From 24th to 31st of January, a social audit of the project was organized in all VDCs of the project intervention as well as at the District level. The purpose of the social audit was to increase the accountability, transparency and responsiveness of the project towards its beneficiaries and other stakeholders; to get feedback and inputs from the beneficiaries and other stakeholders; and to create a forum for sharing experiences. Representatives from various District line agencies, like-minded organisations (I/NGOs) working in the District, political party representatives, and – above all - the beneficiaries attended the social audit.

At the District Level, the social audit took place in the hall of the District Development Committee (DDC). It was chaired by the District’s Local Development Officer (LDO), Mr. Bhuwan Hari Aryal. The Project Manager briefed about the various project activities and informed about the project’s budget and the planning for 2012. All project-related documents like IEC materials, reports, photos, baseline survey reports, manuals, evaluations etc. were displayed. All participants shared their positive impression of the project.