Nias Islands Rural Access and Capacity Building Project (RACBP)

Project description

To support the overall country strategy imperative for poverty reduction and sustainable resource management, particularly in rural areas where most of the poor reside, the Multi Donor Fund for Aceh and North Sumatra (MDF) is financing the Nias-RACBP implemented by ILO and the Nias-LEDP to improve livelihoods and local economic development for communities affected by the tsunami and the earthquake implemented by the State Ministry for the Disadvantaged Regions Development.

The Nias-RACBP will focus on the improvement of the strategic rural transport network in the three economic/agricultural clusters in Nias Islands targeted by the Nias-LEDP. The Nias-RACBP Project will contribute to post-disaster economic recovery and poverty alleviation for the communities of Nias Islands that were affected by the tsunami and earthquake in December 2004.

The Nias-RACBP consists of two components:

• Construction works, including the construction and maintenance of strategic rural roads access and the rehabilitation/reconstruction of traditional public cultural heritage facilities; and
• Training and capacity building: This component aims at enhancing the capacity of the involved local government agencies at district and sub-district level, small-scale contractors and local communities in the planning and delivery of investments in the rural roads network.

Project strategy

The project will maximize economic benefits to the intended beneficiaries through strategically targeted and durable rural access improvements in the selected economic clusters based on prioritization and agreed selection criteria.

The RACBP combines a ‘road network connectivity’ and a ‘least cost’ approach in the construction and rehabilitation that will only require minimum maintenance. The project will also integrate the rural access and training & capacity building sub-components covering all the stages of the project cycle, including on-the-job training, lesson learned from current projects, community involvement, ensuring gender mainstreaming and balance and optimizing use of labour and locally available construction materials, in combination with light equipment.

Key partners

• National Planning Agency
• State Ministry for The Disadvantage Regions Development
• Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration
• Provincial and district Planning Agencies
• District Tourism Offices
• Local Public Works Agencies
• Contractor Associations