Over the last several years, the SDC programme has adopted a comprehensive CSPM consisting of four complementary sets of instruments:

• Safety and Secutrity of staff is always ensured; in case of crisis, efficient and effective crisis management is demonstrated,
• Fund Flow Analysis allows to monitor funds allocation to recipeints and beneficiaries,
• The operational program is effectively managed at the regional / district level, and
• Consistent planning of learning events ensuring the exchange of knowledge and experiences in COOF and across the whole program.

• Security management:
  SDC puts the safety of its staff and of the staff of partner organizations first. SDC employs various approaches and activities to ensure security such  as the personal presence of the Country Director and senior staff in the project areas, continuous analysis of the security situation along the main roads and in the districts where personnel live and work and CSPM workshops with projects staff and frequent team leader meetings at Cooperation Office (COOF) to review the evolving situation.
  
  
• Coordination with other donor agencies:
  
  
• Awareness building and support at operational level:
  COOF fosters and develops awareness and capacity in relation to conflict-sensitive project management. It also conducts workshops with staff of all major projects to enhance the application of the ‘Do No Harm’ principles and to prepare the groundwork for planned, timely and transparent adjustments to the method of working in the evolving conflict situation. The direct presence of COOF staff in this process has created a common understanding of key concepts (BOGs, connectors/ dividers, actor mapping) between SDC and its partners. Furthermore, the support provided in dealing with the conflict has fostered confidence and has contributed to the staff’s ability to manage tension and stress.
  
  
• Close monitoring of the political and human rights situation:
  This is undertaken through various means including actions under the Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Verifying (MERV) framework and by review of periodic reports by the International Crisis Group (ICG), International Alert, Swisspeace and Nepalese experts on political monitoring. Moreover, COOF provided substantial information and dialogue support to PD IV for the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva and is contributing to a common follow-up on human rights monitoring in Nepal. This approach has proven to be effective during the recent period of increased tension, repression and open conflict at the operational level and also in coordinating a political response.

CSPM, including a strict ‘Do No Harm / Do Good’ approach, will continue to be at the heart of SDC’s programme implementation. The special position of women in conflict will be fully recognised. Specific measures will reduce tension and stress, increase trust and openness among staff and partners as well as promote a realistic assessment of the situation and acceptance of the Swiss Strategy. Respect for human rights, consideration of the psycho-social effects of the conflict, and the promotion of equality and democratic decision-making at the local level are key elements for trustbuilding; they strengthen the local social fabric which in turn enhances coping mechanisms in conflict situations.

The assets generated by a comprehensive CSPM have turned the Nepal Programme experience into a substantial learning case for SDC and other institutions. This experience deserves recognition from the perspective of effective development management in fragile states.