In response to various incidents undermining the role of NGOs and INGOs in Nepal, the NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) hosted a significant meeting in Kathmandu on 18th June 2024. The meeting was chaired by NFN President Ram Prasad Subedi and it was focused on the future direction of the Civic Space Alliance and addressed recent challenges faced by the organizations under the alliance. The meeting began with an introduction by Arjun Bhattarai, Secretary General of NGO Federation of Nepal, who outlined the primary agenda of the meeting, which was to deliberate on the recent reaction of the Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane on the snacks sponsorship by an NGO called National Forum for Parliamentarians on Population and Development (NFPPD) for a parliamentary committee meeting and how has it demeaned the role of NGOs and INGOs. The meeting also aimed to discuss a way forward. NFN President Ram Prasad Subedi highlighted the critical roles of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as government partners and vigilant protectors of civic space. He stressed the importance of CSOs in maintaining vigilance over governmental actions and ensuring accountability. Subedi highlighted the need for the Social Welfare Council (SWC) to address immediate concerns of CSOs related to project approvals and monitoring costs. He called for a partnership approach to create a conducive environment for CSOs and INGOs to operate effectively. Mr. SP Kalaunee, President of the Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN), expressed concerns over the negative connotations associated with NGOs and INGOs. He emphasized that despite operational differences, the overarching agenda remains the same, and it is crucial to counteract the shrinking civic space narrative. He called for an effort to highlight the contributions of NGOs and INGOs to national development. Participants strongly criticized the shrinking civic space and negative views about NGOs and INGOs in Nepal. They urged a strong condemnation of the recent treatment by the Home Minister, highlighting the irony since NGOs are registered through the District Administration Office, which is part of the Home Ministry. A parliamentary committee which can also be considered as a mini-parliament, and how it should be inclusive of all stakeholder voices was discussed while emphaisizing the need for fair treatment from the government and increased transparency within NGOs to counteract political biases. Among other issues, the challenges of merit-based work at the local level, where favoritism and power dynamics often overshadow genuine efforts was highlighted. Moreover, participants also discussed about requesting international organizations to halt funding to Nepal if the current hostile environment for CSOs persists. The need for consistency in actions and continuous advocacy for common goals was highlighted whereas SWC was also called out for not fulfilling its as a guardian. The participants also discussed the issues of transparency in project approvals calling for street protests and potential legal action to demand a better working process. Participants reiterated the importance of CSOs as watchdogs and criticized the government for viewing all NGOs and INGOs through a negative lens. The need for the Federation to take action against errant NGOs was emphasized. Strengthening engagement between CSOs and political parties was identified as crucial, with one participant pointing out that political affiliations within NGOs lead to favoritism, hindering the representation of the voiceless. The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for stronger engagement with political entities, consistent advocacy efforts, and potential protests to ensure a fair and supportive environment for CSOs. The Civic Space Alliance aims to foster collaboration among NGOs, INGOs, and government entities to address these challenges effectively and create a more enabling environment for civic space in Nepal.
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