5.2.1 UNDP experiences with targeted and inclusive approaches: Social mobilization as an entry point for UNDP projects: UNDP Nepal has used an approach of combining targeted and inclusive policies. UNDP Nepal has policy frameworks that clearly state that the target group for UNDP is the disadvantaged groups—the poor and the socially excluded like women, Dalits, Janajatis (indigenous peoples), and those living in remote areas. Except for a project entitled “Mainstreaming Gender Equity Programme” that focused primarily on women’s economic, political and social empowerment, UNDP Nepal’s projects are not targeted to specific minority or excluded groups only. However, in order to make sure that issues of disempowerment, lack of voice, social exclusion, and poverty are addressed by projects that are not specifically targeted to the excluded only, there are a number of approaches that have been adopted. These include: UNDP Nepal supported projects, especially those in the area of local governance, livelihoods and energy and environment, are typically based on community mobilization for the purposes of project implementation, sustainability, and local level monitoring. The mobilization process usually involves a formation of community-based organizations (CBOs) consisting of at least one member of every household in the targeted geographic area. The approach adopted is holistic in the sense that it is not targeted to any particular caste or ethnic group or any particular category. However, given that special efforts are needed to empower women, women only CBOs are formed also. When some settlements in the community are ethnically homogenous, CBOs formed there tend to be ethnically homogenous as well, such as CBOs consisting of only Dalits who are a minority and an excluded group in Nepal. CBOs have been successful in promoting saving and credit schemes, developing the capacity of the members in collective decision-making, resource mobilization, and providing support to each other. At this level, women, Dalits or other minority or “left behind” groups are actively involved and have been empowered to some extent. Mainstreaming gender and social inclusion in UNDP projects: All project documents and concept notes are thoroughly reviewed through the gender and social inclusion lens by the Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist and substantive written feedback is provided to the concerned programme units. In addition, all project formulation teams and evaluations teams have a gender and social inclusion expert. Staff have undergone sensitization on gender and social inclusion issues including basic concepts, gender analysis, and gender and social inclusion responsive planning. There is still a need for in-house capacity building particularly of programme staff in this area through thematic gender and social inclusion trainings in the practice areas. 82 The second level in the social mobilization process is the formation of a higher-level organization that consists of the chairs or managers of the CBOs. This entity is a mixed group in terms of sex and ethnicity and could be led by local elites. It is through this entity that support to the community flows for village development programmes. The challenge, therefore, lies in making sure that the needs of the excluded groups and women in the community are addressed through this mechanism. When resources are not earmarked for addressing issues of minorities only, the challenge is to ensure that their issues and needs receive the priority they deserve. Also, the local relationships of power and cultural norms and practices may create barriers for the poor, women, and other excluded groups to gain access and control over resources. M A R G I N A L I S E D M I N O R I T I E S I N D E V E LO P M E N T P R O G R A M M I N g