The Rural Roads Forum (RRF) is an informal group of implementing programmes and projects working primarily in rural roads in Nepal. We sit together on a bi-monthly basis to discuss issues, share experiences and coordinate efforts. This forum provides the opportunity for inter-programme co-ordination in the rural roads sector. It does not represent GoN or the funding agencies' opinions, but serves to improve and co-ordinate the technical and institutional services being provided to such bodies.

This forum has already been established for approximately 10 years since mid-1999. However, experience has shown that the forum needs to stay compact and focused in order to achieve results. The forum was re-constituted in November 2002, restricting the membership to programmes and projects that 'primarily' worked in rural roads in Nepal. All of the present programmes are involved in supporting the districts in Nepal, through district authorities and central government, local committees and civil society.

The constitution of the forum was outlined during an initial meeting in January 2003, which set the membership criteria and objectives of the RRF. The prime concern of the RRF is to coordinate amongst the members to optimise the effectiveness of the member programmes. With good coordination we can avoid duplication, ensure we are working towards the same goal in a coordinated and effective manner and come to a consensus on some issues that we can feed back to GoN and other funding agencies. The lessons learned from the various programmes will be shared and disseminated within this process.