Kathmandu, January 3:

A joint project launched by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) and the Enabling State Programme (ESP)/DFID — Janajati Empowerment Project (JEP) — was recently extended for 16 months until December 2008.

“Given the high success rate of the JEP, which was established in September 2004, and demand for the continuity of the project from the indigenous communities, the donor agency, ESP/DFID, has agreed to continue its support,” said Dr Om Gurung, the project director.

The JEP is now focusing to work in 10 districts, including Jhapa, Dhankuta, Siraha, Sindhuli, Rupandehi, Baglung, Pyuthan, Surkhet and Kanchanpur. Five field coordinators have already been selected to be mobilised in the 10 districts.

Field offices would be established at Birtamod in Jhapa, Lahan in Siraha, Narayanghat in Chitwan, Pyuthan in Pyuthan and Mahendranagar in Kanchanpur to cater service to the indigenous nationalities in the 10 districts.

Meanwhile, Jyoti Kumar Roy Danuwar of Siraha has been appointed project manager of the JEP.