Pro Public had implemented the Leaders, Listen to the Voice of People! in support with Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Norwegian Embassy in Kathmandu for the period July 1, 2007 to September 15, 2007. In order to support an effective political transition in the country, the agreement for the project took place on the day of July 7, 2007. The objectives of the project were: i) to engage people to think and raise voice about the national agenda; ii) to listen to what the people think and have to say about the Restructuring of State; and iii) To identify issues of the Restructuring of the State. Leaders, Listen to the Voice of People! was organized in 10 districts (Morang, Udyapur, Janakpur, Chitwan, Kaski, Palpa, Dang, Banke, Doti & Kanchanpur) of Nepal. Altogether 98 political party leaders, both members of parliament and central committee from the 11 political parties had joined the program.
The District Level Public Listening Programs, organized across ten project districts, aimed to engage key stakeholders in political discourse. Parliamentarians and central committee members from various political parties, alongside representatives from diverse community groups, participated in these programs. Despite invitations to 11 political parties, each event involved leaders from 10 parties, with exceptions made for specific districts. Supported by the Decentralized Local Governance Support Program (DLGSP) and UNDP Nepal, the programs facilitated inclusive discussions, drawing participants from local communities and adjacent areas. Participants, including leaders, were surveyed on five key questions, yielding 1187 opinion poll responses, which were promptly processed and shared during the programs. Following each event, a district declaration was jointly released, outlining commitments from political parties for the upcoming Constituent Assembly. Despite some parties' reluctance to sign, assurances were made to address district-specific issues. The declarations aimed to influence party manifestos for the Constituent Assembly election, encompassing 61 points for the nation's future agenda. Raised issues, presented district-wise, covered political, social, economic, and cultural aspects, guiding subsequent discussions and planning.
Prior to the Public Listening Programs, press meet programs were held in all the districts, facilitating interaction between media personnel and political leaders. With 412 media representatives in attendance, discussions primarily focused on the Constituent Assembly and State Restructuring, supplemented by local concerns. Media coverage, including live transmissions via FM radio in select districts, enhanced outreach and engagement. Interviews with leaders further enriched public discourse on pertinent issues. Concurrently, informational materials produced by Pro Public were distributed during programs, reinforcing awareness and understanding of key topics surrounding the Constituent Assembly. These efforts aimed to foster informed participation and dialogue among stakeholders, thereby contributing to the democratic process and shaping the national agenda.