Development projects in Nepal

The project will improve the quality of urban life in the capital city of Nepal by delivering a more efficient, safe, and sustainable urban transport system (UTS),2 favoring local economic growth and addressing climate change and air pollution mitigation. The UTS will be enhanced by focusing on (i) a plan to rationalize and upgrade the existing public transport network, tested through the implementation of pilot routes provided with electric vehicles; (ii) traffic management works and measures that will enable heritage routes in the city center to be pedestrianized and improve general walkability (general walking conditions); and (iii) improvement of air quality monitoring. The project aims to integrate these components holistically. The environment for development work has greatly improved since 2006, when the decade-long conflict ended. The experience of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has shown that active community participation can insulate development work from a country's wider challenges and thus bring about effective service delivery. Consultations were undertaken with various stakeholders, including the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), relevant central government ministries and departments, public transport operators, and residents associations. The project design and implementation arrangements have fully taken into account the current political context in Nepal,3 with the implementation expected to proceed amid the ongoing peace process.

Organization

Asian Development Bank

Budget

USD 10.0M

Timeline

Oct 26, 2010 → Dec 11, 2019

Coverage

Kathmandu, Bagmati

The Study will provide consulting services for each of two major engineering design specifications: (i) civil works on geological risk ssessments, and (ii) facilities on technical and hydrological risk assessments. It is essential for hydropower development to clarify the project's uncertain factors and to incorporate preventive actions and risk mitigation measures in the project design, prior to financing decisions and implementation. To minimize project risks, the Study will focus on geological and hydrological assessments through rock tests and hydraulic model simulation to establish engineering design parameters.

Organization

Asian Development Bank

Budget

USD 2.5M

Timeline

Dec 23, 2010 → Jan 19, 2017

Coverage

Nepal

The facility will assist the government's effort to ensure that critically important road and air transport projects are implemented efficiently by systematically advancing the preparatory activities. The facility will identify and prepare high-priority projects for potential funding by the government and or by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or other development partners in the country. This preparation will include feasibility studies, safeguard due diligence, detail engineering design, bidding documents, and procurement assistance for advance contracting (if appropriate). This will contribute significantly to (i) improving the implementation performance of the ensuing projects by reducing the period between project concept and loan approval and the commencement of improvement works, (ii) helping to achieve the intended outcomes efficiently, and (iii) realizing the projects- impacts and benefits in a timely manner. The facility will also provide capacity development support to help establish an enabling environment, supporting the government's goal of developing transport infrastructure under public-private partnership (PPP). The facility will prepare transport projects that will contribute to improving connectivity and accessibility throughout the country. The facility is also relevant to ADB's sector strategy in support of the government's goal of achieving regionally balanced economic growth and reduced social inequalities.

Organization

Asian Development Bank

Budget

USD 12.0M

Timeline

Mar 4, 2011 → Dec 23, 2019

Coverage

Nepal

The Project consists of seven components under three main categories: (i) energy access, (ii) clean energy, and (iii) capacity building. Component 1-Energy Access: Facilitating Access to Clean Energy. Component 1 consists of (i) constructing the Middle Marsyangdi-Damauli-Marsyangdi transmission line and associated facilities to strengthen the evacuation of power from the 70 megawatt (MW) Marsyangdi hydropower station, (ii) constructing the second circuit of the Butwal-Kohalpur transmission line to improve cross-border power import capacity, and (iii) constructing and expanding the Chapali and Matatirtha substations and installation of capacitor banks to strengthen the capability of the transmission network to transfer power. Component 2- Energy Access Quality Enhancement: Component 2 consists of constructing eight primary distribution substations and three switching stations to strengthen the electricity system's ability to connect new consumers and to improve the quality of electricity supply to existing consumers. Component 3-Clean Energy Plant Improvement: Clean Energy Plant Improvement. Component 3 involves rehabilitating two small-scale run-of-river hydropower plants at Marsyangdi (69 MW) and Gandak (15 MW) to increase the efficiency. Component 4: Supply-Side Energy Efficiency Improvement. Component 4- Supply Side Energy Efficiency Improvement: will develop a pilot project to rebuild selected distribution feeders and low-voltage networks which have unacceptably high losses, using international best practice to reduce both technical and commercial losses. Component 5: Energy Efficiency in Lighting. Component 5-Energy Efficiency in Lighting: involves distributing approximately 1 million compact fluorescent lamps to households and implementation support to improve energy efficiency in lighting. Component 6-Renewable Energy for Street Lighting: Component 6 consists of the installation of 1,000 solar and solar-wind streetlights in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, and Lalitpur municipal areas to reduce the burden on the main electricity grid. Component 7-Capacity Building: Component 7 involves assisting the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) by providing expert services to formulate, design, and implement public-private partnerships (PPPs) in three identified distribution areas, and capacity building and implementation support to the NEA for component 4.

Organization

Asian Development Bank

Budget

USD 65.0M

Timeline

Mar 11, 2010 → Apr 10, 2018

Coverage

Bhaktapur, Kathmandu

The objective of the project is to develop reliable, affordable, and effective municipal infrastructure and to strengthening the capacity of municipalities and the central government for project management and operation. The project area is Biratnagar, Birgunj, Butwal municipalities and Kavre Valley (Panauti, Dhulikhel and Banepa municipalities). The project was approved in 6 July 2010 and the planned project closing date is 30 June 2016.

Organization

Asian Development Bank

Budget

USD 60.0M

Timeline

Oct 26, 2010 → Jul 6, 2021

Coverage

kabhrepalanchok, Bagmati

The unions participating in the project continue organizing forest workers, with the aim of getting 10?000 new members in four years. Occupational health and safety measures continue to reduce the number of accidents and injuries in forestry work. The unio ns advocate for legislation that influences interest representation of forestry workers, and participate in cooperation with environmental organizations to promote sustainable green jobs. The major problems of the forestry sector are unstable work relatio nships and dangerous working conditions. Awareness of rights, collective bargaining and union density have before the project been low, and before 2016 workers of the sector were not even officially recognized as workers. The project activities have brough t around 20?000 new members to the unions, and close to 12?000 people have participated diverse types of trainings and advocacy work. Almost 2?000 people have through cooperatives gained additional income to supplement the forestry work, making use of othe r products of the forest, such as tree leave plates, mushrooms, berries and honey. The cooperation with environmental organizations, especially WWF, has reduced tensions between forestry workers and environmentalists by fitting together sustainable forestr y and conservation, as well as nature tourism. This last project phase ensures the continuity and sustainability of the work done in the current target regions and through spreading the successful models of action to a few new districts. The project benef its Nepalese forestry workers and their families through improved income and safety, as well as the participating unions through strengthened membership base, negotiation position and cooperation in advocacy work. The main actors of the project are BWI NAC (Building and Wood Workers’ International Nepal Affiliates Committee) as the coordinating cooperation body and its affiliates CAWUN (Construction and Allied Workers’ Union in Nepal), CUPPEC (Central Union of Painters, Plumbers, Electro and Constructio n in Nepal) and ANCWU (All Nepal Construction Workers’ Union) that implement the project in cooperation with WWF Nepal.

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2012 → Dec 31, 2019

Coverage

Nepal

UNESCO will support the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in Nepal by strengthening recognition and transmission of Indigenous knowledge related to pastoralism and rangeland management. In partnership with ministries, communities, experts and the Culture Unit, UNESCO will carry out a scoping study to identify opportunities to safeguard this living heritage and support sustainable ecosystem management.

Organization

UNESCO Kathmandu

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2026 → Dec 31, 2027

Coverage

Nepal

This element supports Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) actors that contribute to environmental resilience by including ILK into policy processes, knowledge production, assessments and solutions addressing climate and environmental challenges. It promotes collaboration across knowledge systems, strengthens governance and Human Rights-based approaches, and enhances the capacity of ILK holders and partners to engage effectively at international, regional and thematic levels, in line with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and UNESCO Policy on Engaging with Indigenous Peoples.

Organization

UNESCO Kathmandu

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2026 → Dec 31, 2027

Coverage

Nepal

In Nepal, the Electricity Bill and Renewable Energy Bill are in the drafting process and will be submitted to the parliament during 2020. During this process, private sector has been actively providing efforts for maximizing their benefits, however the voi ce of vulnerable groups and marginalized communities who are in extreme energy poverty, and are unable to afford the electricity tariff and connection cost, is very weak. These bills are really very important legislative instruments for securing energy jus tice and sustainable energy to the vulnerable groups and marginalized communities in Nepal. However, there are lots of gaps, issues, and challenges while drafting these bills to ensure energy justice to these communities. This project ?Advocacy for ensur ing energy justice and sustainable energy to vulnerable groups and marginal communities in Nepal? will focus on sensitizing the national policy makers for formulation of appropriate legislation. The advocacy work will be done via capacity building workshop s, seminars and policy discussions, via information material and demand papers as well as wider media campaign. Activities will be carried out together with the CSO network National Alliance for Energy Justice. Implementation of the project will result i n ensured legal provisions on energy justice (Electricity Bill and Renewable Energy Bill being the immediate ones), and strong networking of energy sector CSOs at national level. National policy makers will be aware of the real energy need of vulnerable gr oups and marginalized communities. Well informed policy makers will support to incorporate energy justice provisions in the legislation. Some of the incentive mechanisms for energy justice to vulnerable groups and marginalized communities will be introduce d in the energy related periodic plans and programs of the government. Total direct beneficiaries of the project will be 330 including national policy makers including parliament members, and relevant government authorities, and major stakeholders. Furth ermore 10,000 people will be reached through wider media campaign. Project partner Nepal Energy Foundation (NEF) is a member-based organization that works in energy sector of Nepal. Aim of NEF is to contribute for ensuring sustainable, reliable and affor dable energy solutions in Nepal through capacity building, advocacy, policy innovation, community mobilization, awareness creation, and research. https://npnef.org/

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2020 → Dec 31, 2020

Coverage

Nepal

As stated in the latest IPPC Report, extreme weather conditions are intensifying in cities and urban areas, with climate change causing adverse impacts on human health and livelihoods, with economically and socially marginalized urban residents the most at risk. This reflects a concerning trend in the Third Cycle of the Periodic Reporting for the Asia and the Pacific region which identifies that World Heritage properties and their communities are increasingly affected by the impacts of climate change. This has become one of the most significant threats to World Heritage properties in recent times by potentially impacting their Outstanding Universal Value, and their potential for economic and social development at the local level. In response, the project will strengthen the resilience of World Heritage Towns and Cities in the Asia-Pacific region against climate impacts by enhancing the role of cultural heritage in climate action. It will remove barriers and support World Heritage cities across three outcome areas providing, increased knowledge, enhanced engagement, and increased policy recognition on climate action. Project outputs include a regional survey of World Heritage Cities, multi-disciplinary research, convening a regional meeting, testing innovative climate solutions, piloting a climate action toolkit/guidance, and sharing policy lessons and good practices with policy makers.

Organization

UNESCO Kathmandu

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jul 4, 2024 → Jul 3, 2027

Coverage

Nepal

The activity aims to protect the Living Heritage in Nepal by strengthening national capacities and providing policy guidance. In collaboration with UNESCO Category II Centres like ICHCAP and CRIHAP, as well as other sectors, the activity will support national capacity-building for safeguarding and promoting Living Heritage to empower communities. These efforts will focus on the role of ICH and its safeguarding in the context of climate change and integrate the safeguarding of living heritage into broader sectoral strategies for achieving sustainable development. Additionally, technical assistance will be provided to support Nepal's participation in regional periodic reporting. Nepal is among 42 countries in Asia and the Pacific undertaking its first regional cycle of reporting under the revised 2018 Overall Results Framework, 21 of which, including Nepal are submitting their reports for the first time.

Organization

UNESCO Kathmandu

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2026 → Dec 31, 2027

Coverage

Nepal

This is a study towards synthesising lessons about the nature, distribution, and evolution of risks from earthquake- and monsoon-triggered hazards (landslides and floods) in Nepal – based on current literature and stakeholder consultations. This study would aim to shape recommendations for FCDO’s support to the Government of Nepal, especially the implementation of the Resilience, Adaptation and Inclusion in Nepal and the Local Infrastructure Services Programme programmes, alongside advice to the Humanitarian Country Team of British Embassy Kathmandu to inform national-scale contingency planning.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 66K

Timeline

Mar 13, 2026 → Mar 1, 2027

Coverage

Kathmandu, Bagmati

The Goal is to contribute for ‘improved livelihoods and resilience of poor men, women and children in Nepal’. The Purpose is ‘maximise the contribution of Nepal’s forestry sector to inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction and tackling climate change‘. Coverage will increase from 4 districts (current Swiss coverage) to 61 districts (out of 75 nationally) with full-fledged focused activities in 35 over the next 10 years. Focus is to expand poverty reduction and environmental outcomes of community forestry nationally through wider reach and deeper engagement at different levels.

Organization

Swiss Development Cooperation

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Apr 1, 2010 → Jun 30, 2017

Coverage

Nepal

This activity India International Conference of Mountain Countries on Climate Change (FA Grant) is a component of South Asia Water Initiative reported by FCDO with a funding type of 108 - Non-budget support financial aid and a budget of £14,447. It works in the following sector(s): Environmental policy and administrative management.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 22K

Timeline

Jan 1, 2009 → Sep 30, 2014

Coverage

Nepal

This activity Centre for Inclusive Growth - Economist cost is a component of Centre for inclusive growth reported by FCDO with a funding type of 104 - Procurement of Services and a budget of £108,496. It works in the following sector(s): Financial policy and administrative management, Energy policy and administrative management.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2009 → May 10, 2017

Coverage

Nepal

No description

Organization

CISU Civil Society in Development

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Feb 1, 2026 → Apr 30, 2027

Coverage

Nepal

Nepal’s forestry sector contributing to inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction and tackling climate change

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Aug 22, 2011 → Oct 21, 2016

Coverage

Nepal

This activity Multi Stakeholder Forestry Programme for Implementation through SDC is a component of Multi-Stakeholder Forestry Programme - Nepal reported by FCDO with a funding type of 112 - Other bilateral donor and a budget of £15,509,854. It works in the following sector(s): Environmental policy and administrative management.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 24.1M

Timeline

Jun 22, 2009 → Apr 21, 2018

Coverage

Nepal

This activity Donor Focal Point Adviser for Forestry Programme is a component of Multi-Stakeholder Forestry Programme - Nepal reported by FCDO with a funding type of 104 - Procurement of Services and a budget of £185,535. It works in the following sector(s): Forestry development, Environmental policy and administrative management.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jun 22, 2009 → Apr 21, 2018

Coverage

Nepal

This activity Support to Climate and Carbon Unit and Conflict Sensitising Forestry and Climate Change Adaptation- not in use is a component of Multi-Stakeholder Forestry Programme - Nepal reported by FCDO with a funding type of 111 - Not for profit organisation and a budget of £278,438. It works in the following sector(s): Forestry development, Environmental policy and administrative management.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 405K

Timeline

Jun 22, 2009 → Apr 21, 2018

Coverage

Nepal

This activity Multi Stakeholder Forestry Programme Implementation- Technical Support to Forestry Programme is a component of Multi-Stakeholder Forestry Programme - Nepal reported by FCDO with a funding type of 104 - Procurement of Services and a budget of £87,246. It works in the following sector(s): Forestry development, Environmental policy and administrative management.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 110K

Timeline

Jun 22, 2009 → Apr 21, 2018

Coverage

Nepal

This activity Multi Stakeholder Forestry Programme for Design is a component of Multi-Stakeholder Forestry Programme - Nepal reported by FCDO with a funding type of 104 - Procurement of Services and a budget of £150,876. It works in the following sector(s): Forestry development, Environmental policy and administrative management.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 175K

Timeline

Jun 22, 2009 → Apr 21, 2018

Coverage

Nepal

Within the project members of five community forestry communities will be trained on the national and international legal context of biocultural community protocols. The same communities will document their biocultural life-heritage, develop biocultural co mmunity protocols and organize local campaigns to demand bio-cultural rights. Representatives of FECOFUN and local communities will participate in the meetings of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to share the experiences related to the community p rotocols. Individual biocultural community protocols will be published at local level. In addition, FECOFUN will publish an evaluation report on the state of biocultural rights of local and indigenous communities to be shared at international fora. The bio cultural rights of the indigenous and local communities have been recognized in many international human rights and biodiversity instruments, but because of the reluctance of the Nepalese government, they are not implemented. Community forestry plans based on the National Forest Act emphasize technical standards rather than rights, so it is necessary to produce separate biocultural protocols. At Community level knowledge of international instruments such as the UN Biodiversity Agreement is weak, so it is ne cessary to increase it. Communities also need stronger campaigning capacity for biocultural rights to be included in forest management plans and forestry legislation. As a result of the project, the awareness of biocultural rights of local communities is e xpected to grow, the communities' biocultural life heritage will be documented and biocultural protocols will be drafted, government and other actors will recognize the community's cultural rights and the campaigning capacity of the community will be stren gthened to defend the rights. FECOFUN and local community representatives will be able to effectively participate in national and international forums and share the publication with wider audiences. The beneficiaries of the project are the members of the s elected five Community Forestry Groups in the following districts: Bardiya (Tharu People, Khata Corridor), Sunsari (peasants, Ramdhuni Cultural Forest), Kathmandu (Tamang people, Shandong National Park Buffer Zone), Rasuwa / Nuwakot (Tamang People, Lantang National Park Buffer Zone), Dhading / Gorkha (various populations, Community Forest adjacent to the Budigandaki hydropower project). 'Biocultural Rights' is a concept related to the international

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

USD 6K

Timeline

Jan 1, 2017 → Dec 31, 2017

Coverage

Sunsari, Dhading

Improved investment climate resulting in creation of formal jobs and new investments

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Dec 14, 2009 → Jun 30, 2014

Coverage

Nepal

This activity Nepal Investment Climate Reform Programme Through IFC is a component of Nepal Investment Climate Reform Programme reported by FCDO with a funding type of 109 - Multilateral organisation and a budget of £4,529,842. It works in the following sector(s): Public sector policy and administrative management, Research/scientific institutions, Sectors not specified.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 7.4M

Timeline

Jun 17, 2009 → Jun 30, 2014

Coverage

Nepal

Investment Project Financing. Implementing agency: Ministry of Forests and Environment

Organization

World Bank Nepal

Budget

USD 24.0M

Timeline

Start not reported → Sep 30, 2025

Coverage

Nepal

The purpose of the activity is to improve biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of natural resources in Nepal's priority conservation landscapes by reducing threats from over-exploitation and poorly-planned development.

Organization

USAID Nepal

Budget

USD 15.3M

Timeline

Nov 4, 2022 → Nov 3, 2025

Coverage

Nepal

The seed fund will be used to test assumptions of the value in bringing generations together for collective action on climate Change, and methods to support this. It is recognised that each context may require different approaches. Outcomes and learnings from this small project will be used to inform develop a bigger project. We will be building on HAI's and Restless' learning from the Bringing Generations Together for Change initiative, and learning what are the shared (and distinct) concerns and suggested actions across the generations when it comes to responding to the climate crisis/climate change.

Organization

HelpAge International

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jul 1, 2023 → Mar 31, 2024

Coverage

Nepal

OFDA/Prevention- Mitigation- Preparedness + Planning

Organization

USAID Nepal

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Oct 1, 2012 → Sep 30, 2013

Coverage

Nepal

Reduce the likelihood that a shock will occur, limit the damage caused by a shock, and increase the affected populations ability to cope with and recover from the effects of a shock. Focus is on disaster-prone countries and communities.

Organization

USAID Nepal

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Oct 1, 2012 → Sep 30, 2014

Coverage

Nepal