In order to improve the local capacity skills of the staff and community members, they have been provided training on Micro Enterprises Development training, Social Mobilisation, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Product Development and Quality Control, Solar system maintenance, firewood-efficient cook-stove making and handicrafts making for livelihoods. A training was conducted on basic information on solar home system, preparation by beneficiaries on installation program, general maintenance of the system and general trouble shooting of the faulty systems. Villagers were also made familiar with ?the best practices? for solar home system use and end user considerations in an introductory manner. The two locally selected technicians also participated in the training program. After this basic training, Lotus Technicians gave the local technicians special training on installation of Solar Home Systems, which included assembling panels and frames, wiring to Stecca Charge Controller, Battery, Light and wiring at junction box. Both theoretical and practical training was provided to local technicians. The detail trouble shooting training was also conducted for local technicians to overcome any problem that may arise. The two local technicians were brought to Kathmandu office to provide them the detail training on repair and maintenance of the system. This training had enabled the local technicians repair any faulty components of the system in the village. This training was held for 2 weeks from 28th August to 8th September 2000. The technician will set up the store at Bongadovan for sale and maintenance for various products. Almost all members of SDC participated in Crused Hand Knitting bag training. The training was organised for 10 weeks from 3rd July to 19th September 2000. This training has helped beneficiaries to improve the quality of bag in terms of size, design, color matching and time saving techniques. This training has also provided skills to the prospective solar users in making hand knitted bags. The project has planned to demonstrate and train the villagers in making improved firewood-efficient cookstoves. The trained village level specialists then promote and install the improved cook-stove throghout the communities. Along with the improved cook-stove training, a training on the the construction of toilet will also be provided to the selected members of the community.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)is signed between the District Development Committee (DDC) of Baglung District and the Himalayan Light Foundation. Under the MOU the DDC has agreed for mutual collaboration, sustenance and support for the implementation of the programme activities in the district. The DDC also formed an advisory committee known as District Advisory Committee (DAC). DAC, under the chairmanship of DDC Chairman, is responsible to supervise, monitor and support the project activities. The members of DAC are DDC Chairman, Local Development Officer, District Forest Officer, Chief of Small Scale Industry Development Board, Energy Advisor of DDC, National Programme Coordinator of UNDP GEF/SGP, and HLF Project Manager. Bongadovan Village Development Committee (VDC) also provided their commitments to support the program by providing the office space and equipment, assisting in baseline data collection and co-funding and allocating budget for project activities. Solar Development Committee (SDC) was formulated consisting of 100% beneficiaries of Solar Home System in the committee. Altogether there were 68 members. From the SDC, committee members created the Functional Group (FG) consisting of 13 executive members. The involvement of men and women in income generating activities are about 25 and 75 percent respectively. So far 10 community-based organizations (CBO's) have been formed and more groups are in the process of formation. The target number of community based organization is around 20.