G/TIP INCLE AND ESF FUNDING PROPOSAL FOR NEPAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000122 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR THE OFFICE TO MONITOR AND COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (G/TIP) AND SCA/INS, SCA/RA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KCRM KWMN EAID IN NP SUBJECT: G/TIP INCLE AND ESF FUNDING PROPOSAL FOR NEPAL REF: SECSTATE 161503 SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION -------------- ¶1. Embassy Kathmandu is pleased to propose the following three projects, in rank order, for consideration for INCLE and ESF funding (Reftel). Post will forward via email the full proposals for the projects listed in the cable to GTIP Funding Opportunities@state.gov. END SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION BEGIN PROJECTS -------------- Project 1 -------------- Name of the Applicant: The Asia Foundation Total Requested Funding: $190,044.00 Project Title: Increasing Convictions of Traffickers Under the "Human Trafficking and Transportation Control Act of 2007." Project Duration: 1 year Proposal Abstract: The Asia Foundation (TAF) requests $190,044 for a one-year project to increase convictions of traffickers in Nepal under the "Human Trafficking and Transportation Control Act of 2007," (TIP Act) through increased witness and victim testimony in trafficking prosecutions and enhanced capacity of police and public prosecutors to conduct effective prosecutions. With the passage of the TIP Act, the Government of Nepal (GON) laid a strong legal foundation for increased trafficking prosecutions and convictions. In order to promote the effective implementation of this law, TAF will work in close cooperation with two trusted partners, Legal Aid and Consultancy Center (LACC) and the Kathmandu School of Law (KSL),to implement a series of mutually-reinforcing activities in 31 GON-identified high-risk trafficking districts across Nepal. The proposed project will support the development and implementation of a targeted multimedia campaign and community outreach initiative that will raise public awareness of the TIP Act's victim protection provisions in order to increase the number of victims who are willing to testify against their traffickers. At the same time, to ensure the police and prosecutors are able to carry out their respective responsibilities as outlined in the Act -- especially with regard to the treatment of and obligations to victims and witnesses - project partners will also develop a TIP Law Enforcement Protocol and nationwide computerized system to monitor and track trafficking cases. These tools will be used to train leading prosecutors and police investigators in the 31 targeted districts. Anticipated project results include: more victims and witnesses of trafficking report incidents of trafficking to the police; more victims and witnesses testify against traffickers; police are better equipped to effectively and sensitively deal with trafficking victims, witnesses, and offenders; and improved coordination and information sharing among police and prosecutors result in more effective prosecution of traffickers. Project 2 -------------- Name of Applicant: World Education Inc. Total Requested Funding: $449,331.00 Project Title: Stepping Stones - Addressing Services for Trafficking Victims in Nepal Project Duration: 3 years Proposal Abstract: Nepal has seen a rapid expansion of trafficking to supply a growing sex trade. There are an estimated 10,000 children in sexually exploitative work within Nepal, the majority of whom are from Dalit communities KATHMANDU 00000122 002 OF 002 and ethnic minorities. Girls are lured from neighboring districts with deceptive promises of good jobs but end up working in massage parlors, dance bars and restaurants where they are expected to be available for commercial sex. Once in exploitative situations, the girls become enmeshed and need help to leave and reestablish their lives in the community. While there is some support for rehabilitation of trafficking victims brought back form other countries, efforts to assist internally trafficked girls are extremely limited. The government, police and political and civil society leaders have been preoccupied with development of a new constitution and reconstruction of the country after years of neglect caused by war. The proposed project will provide rehabilitation and reintegration services to 1,500 trafficking victims and 3,500 at-risk girls through an outreach program, psychosocial counseling, emergency shelter and non-formal and vocational education and an additional 8,000 youth with safe migration activities. The project will build on the success of the initial GTIP-funded project while engaging more stakeholders from the government sector (such as the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, Child Welfare Boards, District Trafficking Task Forces and the Nepal Police) as well as other NGOs to pilot mechanisms for referral and support of trafficking victims under the country's new trafficking legislation. The project will also focus on building the capacity of organizations providing support and community-based reintegration series for internal trafficking victims. In the most trafficking prone districts, the project will work with both those at risk as well as trafficking survivors in order to gain access while respecting confidentiality as survivors often need to have their identity protected. Project 3 -------------- Name of Applicant: The Esther Benjamin Trust Art Center for Trafficking Victims Total Requested Funding: $299,334.00 Project Title: Art Center for Trafficking Victims Project Duration: 3 years Proposal Abstract: The Esther Benjamin Trust (EBT) has been rescuing trafficked Nepalese children and teenage girls from Indian circuses since January 2004. The organization provides scholarships to returnees of school age to allow them re-enter education. However, older returnees remain vulnerable to being re-trafficked as they have no education or training, and girls in particular are seen as being an economic liability to familes who trafficked them in the first place. Currently available training in Nepal does not guarantee jobs, and survivors - who almost invariably suffer some degree of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) -- struggle to complete such courses or remain subsequently in gainful employment. To address this problem, EBT has been providing training in the arts - mosaic, ceramics and sculpture - since 2006 to offer artistic therapy for disturbed minds while developing confidence, self-esteem and skills that are new to Nepal. Trained girls now enter employment in a newly-registered Nepalese not-for-profit company, "Himalayan Mosaics," that was established by the Trust's Director in December of 2007. Through this grant EBT proposes to provided training through three 4-month-long courses for 50 girls at a time. Professional art tutors will be recruited from abroad importing techniques and teaching designs that have a market internationally. At project end, 150 trained girls will have entered contracted employment with Himalayan Mosaics. The grant will cover revenue costs for three years and some modest start-up costs. In due course sustainability will be enhanced by Himalayan Mosaics' profits being offset against long-term training costs. The vision is to extend the program to trafficking victims recommened to EBT by any organization, having built the capacity for EBT to manage such rehabilitation. END PROJECTS POWELL