| Sl. No | Client | Training | Funded by | Year | Brief Narrative Description |
| 01 | Bhutan Transparency Initiative (BTI) and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) | Logical Framework Approach (LFA) and Logframer 3.1 | HELVETAS Bhutan | 2022 | As part of Monitoring of Accountability for Better Public Service Delivery, BTI conducted a training workshop for CSOs on strengthening accountability. In partnership with the BTI BIRD conducted LFA and Logframer training for the CSOs. |
| 02 | Evaluation Association of Bhutan (EAB) | Advance Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Training | UNICEF, Bhutan | 2022 | Programs are designed to achieve certain goals and reach certain beneficiaries. Without undertaking impact evaluation, policy makers will not know whether programs are generating intended effects, be it promoting accountability in the allocation of resources or filling gaps in understanding what works and what does not, or how measured changes are attributable to a particular project or intervention. |
| 03 | For HELVETAS Bhutan country office staff | Training on Qualitative Research: An Orientation | HELVETAS Bhutan | 2022 | The purpose is to orient Helvetas Bhutan country office staff on qualitative research through a face-to-face comprehensive training. The main expected results/outputs of the training will be: – a well-conceived comprehensive training package developed, with concrete examples where feasible – a 2-day interactive training for Helvetas Bhutan country staff |
| 04 | Department of Local Governance (DLG), Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (MoHCA) | Result-Based Management Training (Online) | HELVETAS Bhutan | 2021 | The five-day training on Result-Based Management (RBM) was designed for participants from the three Thromdes – Gelephu, Phuentsholing, and Thimphu. The sessions focused on RBM and its importance, and how it helps organizations to focus on performance and achieving outputs, outcomes and impacts. The participants were also trained on project design, execution, M&E, and reviewing project proposals. Participants also learned the log frame concept through case studies delivered as group exercises. This helped participants to situate theoretical aspects into real-life situations. |
| 05 | Institute of Management Studies (IMS), Bhutan | Research Proposal and Paper Writing | IMS Bhutan | 2021 | The training was to familiarize participants with the different stages of writing research proposals and research papers. |
| 06 | Department of Local Governance (DLG), Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (MoHCA) | Knowledge and Skills Training for capacity Development in Research | HELVETAS Bhutan | 2021 | Four batches of training were conducted for participants from the Local Government (LG) functionaries of three regions in Bhutan. The main objective of the training was to build the research competence of Gewog Administrative Officers (GAOs) so that evidence-based decision making could be made possible through scientific research. The training focused on Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods, Basic Statistics and the development of research proposals. |
| 07 | The Department of Local Governance (DLG), Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (MoHCA) | Dzongkha Unicode Training | HELVETAS Bhutan | 2021 | This training was designed to provide the knowledge, skills and practice required for local government functionaries working with office applications using Dzongkha Unicode. The training covered the basics of Dzongkha Unicode, preparation of Dzongkha word documents, Dzongkha spreadsheets and Dzongkha PowerPoint presentations. The participants were also trained on email and official correspondence with Unicode, including letter writing, grammar, spelling, office orders, and translation among others. |
| 08 | The Department of Local Governance (DLG), Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (MoHCA) | Research Writing Training (Online) | HELVETAS Bhutan | 2021 | This five-day research writing training was conducted for selected research proposals after the authors have successfully attended the “Research Proposal Writing” training that covered three regions. The training was conducted in two batches. |
| 09 | The Department of Local Governance (DLG), Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (MoHCA) | Research Proposal Writing Training | HELVETAS Bhutan | 2021 | The five-day training program on Research Proposal Writing to Gewog Administration Officers (GAOs) and Dzongkhag Tshogdu Secretaries (DTs) of the three Dzongkhags of Trashigang, Bumthang and Paro. |
| 10 | The Department of Local Governance (DLG), Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (MoHCA) | Results-Based Management (RBM) | HELVETAS Bhutan | 2020 | The four-day training was attended by participants from the Local Government functionaries. The participants were taken through in-depth learning on results-based management, with a particular focus on project design, execution, monitoring and evaluation and reviewing of project proposals. To ascertain the impact of the training, pre-test and post-test were carried out. Feedback on the training was also gathered anonymously. After the training, BIRD also followed up on the research and M&E projects that the participants initiated during the training. |
| 11 | The Department of Local Governance (DLG), Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (MoHCA) | Fundamentals on Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) | HELVETAS Bhutan | 2019 | The five-day training was provided to Local Government (LG) functionaries to develop and enhance their capacity. It involved classroom sessions, discussions, and activities. Various modes of learning, namely self-discovery and critique, group exploration and facilitator-led discussion, game-based learning, best practice theory, and practical sessions were used during the training. |
Training
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Toward Economic Resilience: Why Bhutan Needs Universal Basic Income Over Recurrent Stimulus Plans![]()
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Introduction![]()
For over a decade, Bhutan has implemented Economic Stimulus Plans (ESPs) in response to economic challenges, especially aiming to address issues like unemployment, poverty, and the fiscal downturn caused by external shocks. However, these ESPs, particularly those introduced in 2013 and 2024, have faced extensive criticism due to their limited impact and issues with accessibility, sustainability, and inequitable benefit distribution. Now, more than ever, Bhutan stands at a critical economic juncture. Instead of cycling through stimulus plans with limited effectiveness, Bhutan could explore an innovative solution—Universal Basic Income (UBI). UBI offers a simpler, more inclusive, and potentially transformative approach to economic resilience and aligns well with Bhutan’s guiding principle of Gross National Happiness (GNH).![]()
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This article aims to illustrate the shortcomings of past ESPs and propose UBI as a more viable alternative to foster sustainable economic well-being in Bhutan.![]()
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Shortcomings of the ESPs in Bhutan![]()
Despite their ambitious goals, Bhutan’s ESPs in 2013 and 2024 were hindered by similar issues that reduced their effectiveness. These issues reveal the fundamental flaws of traditional stimulus approaches that prioritize specific sectors over the broader economic and social fabric.![]()
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ESP 2013: A Program with Limited Reach and Oversight Challenges![]()
1. Ineffective Implementation and Monitoring: ESP 2013 aimed to address structural economic challenges by increasing liquidity in financial institutions, supporting small enterprises, and creating employment. However, it lacked effective oversight, leading to poor utilization of funds. Misallocation was widespread, with some funds used to service existing debts rather than for productive investments, diluting the program’s intended impact on economic recovery.![]()
2. Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) and Banking Vulnerabilities: The injection of credit into the banking sector caused a rise in NPLs, creating financial risks for banks. By prioritizing rapid disbursement without adequate assessment, the ESP contributed to unsustainable loan defaults, threatening Bhutan’s financial stability and impacting its fiscal health.![]()
3. Failure to Reduce Unemployment: Although unemployment was a key concern, ESP 2013’s focus on capital-intensive projects, such as importing machinery, did little to create jobs domestically. Much of the funding was directed towards machinery imports rather than supporting job-generating activities in Bhutan, ultimately limiting the program’s impact on employment creation.![]()
4. Widening the Rural-Urban Divide: While ESP 2013 aimed to foster economic resilience, it disproportionately benefited urban areas and businesses with established networks, excluding rural communities from meaningful participation. This unbalanced distribution of benefits inadvertently exacerbated Bhutan’s rural-urban divide.![]()
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ESP 2024: Complex Processes and Limited Accessibility![]()
1. Reluctance from Financial Institutions (FIs): Under ESP 2024, collateral-free loans at a low interest rate of 4% were intended to stimulate economic activity. However, FIs were hesitant to participate due to perceived high risks, imposing strict eligibility criteria and documentation requirements. This reluctance led to sluggish disbursement, with only 12 out of 193 applications approved as of October 2024.![]()
2. Bureaucratic Barriers and Cumbersome Application Processes: ESP 2024 demanded extensive documentation and sectoral clearances, creating barriers for small businesses and rural applicants. These bureaucratic obstacles discouraged many potential beneficiaries, making the ESP more accessible to urban, connected applicants while excluding those in rural areas with limited access to resources.![]()
3. Strain on Financial Institutions and Fiscal Risks: The ESP 2024 places the risk of repayment on banks, mandating them to return funds to the government by 2029. Given the challenges of loan repayment in a struggling economy, this model risks further destabilizing financial institutions and placing long-term fiscal strain on Bhutan’s economy. ![]()
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The Case for UBI: A Path to Economic Inclusivity and Stability![]()
Considering these challenges, UBI emerges as a compelling alternative to Bhutan’s traditional ESPs. UBI’s design as an unconditional, regular cash payment directly to citizens would address many of the issues encountered by ESP 2013 and 2024, providing a more sustainable, equitable, and efficient approach to economic resilience.![]()
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1. Inclusive and Simplified Access: Unlike ESPs that rely on complex applications, eligibility criteria, and multiple approvals, UBI is unconditional and accessible to all. It eliminates the need for documentation and reduces administrative costs, ensuring that even Bhutan’s rural populations have equal access to economic support.![]()
2. Direct Economic Stimulus: UBI would stimulate economic activity from the ground up by providing citizens with a steady income. This direct injection of funds increases purchasing power, promotes consumer spending, and supports local businesses. By putting money directly in the hands of citizens, UBI would boost demand across Bhutan, including in rural areas that are often underserved by traditional stimulus measures.![]()
3. Reduction of Poverty and Inequality: UBI provides a universal safety net, reducing poverty and income inequality. It ensures a minimum income for all, directly addressing Bhutan’s high youth unemployment and bridging the income gap between rural and urban areas. By reducing poverty and inequality, UBI aligns with Bhutan’s core principle of Gross National Happiness, prioritizing social welfare alongside economic growth.![]()
4.Support for Entrepreneurship and Education: With financial stability assured, citizens would be encouraged to pursue entrepreneurship, education, and vocational training, contributing to a dynamic and skilled workforce. UBI provides the security needed for individuals to take economic risks, potentially fostering a culture of innovation and self-employment among Bhutan’s youth.![]()
5. Reduced Administrative Costs: Implementing UBI would reduce the high administrative costs associated with ESPs, as it involves direct cash transfers rather than complex, sector-specific projects. By removing intermediaries, UBI would lower operational expenses, ensuring that more funds are directed towards citizens rather than administrative overhead. ![]()
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Global Lessons and UBI’s Alignment with Gross National Happiness![]()
International examples show that UBI can positively impact well-being, employment stability, and economic resilience. Programs like the Stockton SEED in California demonstrated that UBI encourages employment and financial stability, while the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend has helped reduce poverty and improve child well-being. The GiveDirectly program in Kenya has empowered rural communities, reduced poverty, and fostered local economic growth, highlighting UBI’s potential for poverty alleviation in rural Bhutan.![]()
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For Bhutan, UBI aligns seamlessly with Gross National Happiness by reducing financial stress, promoting social equality, and enhancing well-being. UBI’s direct support approach resonates with Bhutan’s holistic values, fostering a balanced, inclusive society where economic growth serves human happiness rather than purely financial metrics.![]()
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Moving Forward: UBI as a Foundation for Bhutan’s Economic Resilience![]()
The recurring shortcomings of Bhutan’s ESPs reveal the limitations of sector-specific, complex stimulus programs in addressing systemic economic issues. UBI offers a transformative, long-term solution that addresses these limitations by providing a simple, inclusive, and direct financial safety net. By stimulating local economies, reducing poverty, and fostering entrepreneurship, UBI could become the foundation for a resilient Bhutanese economy that aligns with GNH principles.![]()
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It’s time to rethink economic recovery through Universal Basic Income. UBI represents an opportunity to build an economy that is inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of all citizens. Instead of recycling stimulus plans with limited reach, Bhutan can lead the way in creating a robust economic model centered on the well-being and happiness of its people.
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On this special day, we at Bhutan Interdisciplinary Research & Development (BIRD) extend our warmest wishes to Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck. Your grace, compassion, and dedication to the well-being of our nation continue to inspire us all.
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