GIZ Nepal

The project partner runs a training institute that offers non-academic training in the field of social work. The focus is on courses that enable young people, particularly those from rural areas, to acquire the basic knowledge required for social and development work in their home communities. The aim is also to reduce the exodus of young people from their home communities. Many NGOs send their staff to the institute for training or recruit personnel trained there. In addition, the project partner supports local NGOs and cooperatives in rural areas with their organisational development and the implementation of their projects, particularly in the least developed western regions of Nepal. This makes an important contribution to improving the living conditions of numerous marginalised families in the project area. The project’s objectives include introducing smallholder farmers to organic farming by using local seeds, compost fertiliser and organic technologies. Furthermore, young people and agricultural leaders learn about community-led development processes and work together to address shared concerns. Young leaders are also trained to support marginalised communities.

Natural disasters, which occur almost annually, repeatedly demonstrate how vulnerable the population of Nepal is in such situations. In the south of the country, more than half of the land is used for agriculture and 70% of the population is employed in this sector. However, many of the communities are threatened by flooding during the rainy season. If the harvest is poor or fails altogether, supplies are destroyed and people lose their animals, and self-sufficient food security is also threatened. It is therefore important to establish local mechanisms for disaster response, to initiate adaptation to the challenges posed by climate change and to promote the development of disaster guidelines at all levels of the country. This is being done, among other things, by strengthening the capacities of communities and local governments in the areas of climate protection, disaster prevention and emergency response. In addition, climate-friendly agriculture and green employment opportunities for women and young leaders are being promoted. The project is primarily aimed at schools, local government agencies, young entrepreneurs, women, young people and children. Childrens eco-clubs have been set up and information desks on climate protection have been installed in schools. The local government and schools are being supported in the development of environmentally friendly model schools with green components, including energy efficiency (solar energy) and waste management. Young businesses receive training on green jobs and business plans, including the promotion of worm composting. In addition, there will be at least one ‘climate-friendly agriculture and ecotourism village’ in each community. These are some of the measures designed to raise awareness of climate protection and disaster prevention among the target groups.

In Nepal, people face systemic gender-based discrimination that limits womens and marginalised groups access to education, healthcare, economic resources and participation in decision-making processes. The project implementer has set itself the goal of strengthening the livelihoods of survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and gender-based discrimination (GBD) by integrating climate change adaptation strategies to ensure long-term resilience and sustainability. The direct target group comprises a total of approximately 3,700 women, children and young people who participate in and benefit from the activities. The targeted support for women in the project area will improve their living conditions in the long term and strengthen their resilience to gender-based violence and discrimination. They will gain access to training measures and climate-resilient income-generating opportunities in order to achieve greater economic independence and protection from GBD and GBV. Furthermore, support structures for women will be strengthened in order to combat gender-based violence and gender-based discrimination. Access to specialised health services and the introduction of climate-friendly, energy-efficient planning and practices will ensure improved reproductive and general health for women and girls in the project area. To achieve this, numerous training courses will be held, cooperation with the local government will be intensified and networks will be formed.

The aim of the project is to secure the right to food and food security for the most vulnerable communities. Orientation events, consultations, discussions and dialogues with newly formed community groups (especially womens groups) are held for this purpose. Further measures with regard to adaptation to climate change include practical training courses and support with vegetable seeds, etc. Raising awareness among newly elected government representatives and networking among interest groups relevant to the target population are also central components of the project activities.

The project aims to establish community-led peacebuilding mechanisms such as community peace centers, which will be managed by the communities themselves in the long term. Trained community members support local communities in addressing individual and collective problems and finding peaceful solutions. The project places a particular focus on young women. An important component, therefore, is the strengthening of skills and self-esteem among young people, many of whom come from marginalized communities. To address the wide range of psychological problems, many of which are also a result of the armed conflict, psychosocial counselling is being offered.

The aim of the project is to build capacities of young people in remote rural areas who are engaged in community development and eco-entrepreneurship. These young people belong to ethnic groups affected by severe poverty and discrimination. They are trained in eco-friendly agriculture and livestock farming to increase their resilience and income, thus providing them with a sustainable livelihood as an alternative to migration. In addition, the young people use their strengthened capacities to contribute to community development in order to improve the situation for the entire community.