TRAC4Change

Context and brief history

Helvetas Nepal holds extensive experience and expertise in rural access. This body of knowledge was developed over more than forty years while supporting the construction of over 10,000 trail bridges in Nepal. Many countries showed their interest to learn from this experience and subsequently approached Helvetas Nepal. These included Bhutan, Ethiopia, Honduras, Mozambique, Tanzania, Laos, Vietnam and Indonesia. In order to respond to such requests, Helvetas Nepal initiated South-South cooperation through a decentralized division, theTransformative Rural Access Catalyst for Change (TRAC4Change). The division, which is based in Nepal, was formerly called the South-South Cooperation Unit.

Implementation strategy

TRAC4Change collaborates with governments, development organizations, academic institutions, donors, charities, foundations and the private sector to form strategic partnerships to overcome rural isolation, ignite economic growth and promote equitable development for all. With decades of experience in climate-resilient infrastructure, we share our knowledge, support policy development and ensure high-quality construction.

The scope of the support varies according to the recipient country's need. Past support has included reconnaissance trips, designing trail bridges, capacity building of partners, embedding trail bridge programs within government systems, and the provision of technical assistance.

Stakeholders and partners

TRAC4Change works with governments, NGOs and private organizations. These include the International Labor Organization, SNV, the African Development Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank, among others.

Coverage

As a unit for technology transfer, TRAC4Change can provide its service anywhere in the world. Past support has been provided in Bhutan, Burundi, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Laos, Mozambique, Vietnam and Tanzania.

Many children in Nepal must make dangerous river crossings to get to school. © Helvetas/Narendra Shrestha

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But more and more trail bridges make the path to school safer, easier and quicker. © Helvetas / Narendra Shrestha

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Thanks to a trail bridge in a remote places in Nepal this woman has access to the market for selling her products. © Helvetas

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Nepalis in the beginning years of becoming trail bridge experts. © Helvetas

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A Nepali engineer exchanges his experiences in trail bridge construction with his Ethiopian colleagues. © Helvetas / Simon Opladen

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An Ethiopian and Nepali engineer exchange about trail bridge construction. © Helvetas/Hanspeter Bundi

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Objectives

Our goal is to eliminate rural isolation and poverty by specializing in trail bridges, green roads, and catalyzing systemic change. This is achieved by integrating rural infrastructure development within government systems for transformative change.

We aim to create solutions that empower governments and communities to build their capacities for change through our climate-resilient technology, which meets robust engineering standards and is substantially more affordable than conventional options, making it ideal for countries with limited resources. Additionally, the technology is highly scalable, even in remote and underserved areas.

Present status

TRAC4Change has been providing continuous technical assistance to Helvetas Ethiopia since 2008 for the establishment of its trail bridge program. Current support is provided to the TRAIL Ethiopia project, funded by the Helmsley Charitable Trust, and jointly implemented by Helvetas Ethiopia and Bridges to Prosperity. The target is to construct 150 trail bridges to benefit over 1.3 million people in rural areas of six regions, and to institutionalize trail bridges within government systems.