Development projects in Nepal

This continuation project has its former partner organisation and a new content digital journalism. The immediate objective of this project is to impart digital investigative journalism skills to journalists. This 2017-2020 project is a) to create a pool o f investigative journalists skilled in the use of multi-media and data journalism tools b) to spread that know-how to the regional media and strengthen their investigative journalism content. Nepal's media landscape is diversifying with the arrival of new media platforms including online news portals and social media providing an effective alternate medium. To stay effective and relevant in this changing landscape investigative reporters need to adapt to and adopt these skills. The former project 2013-2015 taught basic skills in investigative journalism to 70 journalists in various regions of the country. The shifting eyeballs towards digital portals in the past years has shown Nepalis now have an alternative outlet of publication and syndication of investig ative stories that would otherwise have been sensitive for the corporate media. However the use of digital interfaces that use multimedia and datajournalism tools is deficient. The evaluation report of the earlier project between CIJ and VIKES has stated n ecessity for a training based on feedback from trainee reporterstrainers and editors working in various Nepali media. Accordingly the proposed project aims at training journalists to adopt digital tools for investigating and reporting on matters crucial to common interest. The project will also support CIJ to develop its own capacity to train and mentor investigative journalists in the use of multimedia and datajournalism techniques. Democratic ownership of development is a crucial element in human rights -based development. For citizens to know their rights and be able to exercise them they need an independent and critical media that serves their right to information. This is effectively being done in developed countries through promotion of investigativ e journalism. The project aims to do the same in Nepal through its activities.

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Dec 10, 2009 → Dec 31, 2019

Coverage

Nepal

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. For specific details on the populations supported in this operation, please use the document link "Populations".

Organization

UNHCR Nepal

Budget

USD 3.0M

Timeline

Jan 1, 2024 → Dec 31, 2024

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

The proposed project is a continuation of an earlier project. The project will be implemented in Rautahat District and it focuses on four major interventions, a) support to involve targeted women in farming, b) support to improve targeted women?s social an d economic entrepreneurial capacity, c) support to include targeted women?s food security, food sovereignty and biodiversity related needs and concerns inlocal government?s policies, strategies and plans, and d) advocate for providing land to the landless Dalits and Dalit women. Through the project it is expected that: a) Dalit women get land and have their ownership, do farming, produce their food by themselves and start to make their lives secured in food, b) Dalit women engage in climate and disaster res ilient farming with the diversification of high value crops so that, they experience impervious, better-off and comfortable lives in the society, and c) Dalit women become able to incorporate their plans into local government?s program and budget and get c ontinue support in future too. Women groups from the earlier project area will continue to produce vegetables in their habitat areas or lease the land. They will also be involved in diversification of nutritious and high value vegetable crops by advancing their knowledge and skills. Continued social mobilization and capacity building process will empower them to raise their voices for land and food rights strongly and also integrate their real needs into local government?s annual programs. The new addition al groups will be capacitated to adjust with the existing groups. The project will continue with existing seven groups of 160 households in Rautahat District. There will be addition of maximum seven groups of the poorest, marginalized and landless Dalits women in Madhesh, totalling more than 150 households. Hence, there will be more than 300 women producers or households as direct beneficiaries and around 150 indirect beneficiaries (elected representatives and citizens). HIMAWANTI Nepal in technical suppor t with WLCN (Women Leading for Change in Natural Resource Management) will cooperate with local government. HIMAWANTI Nepal will also regularly coordinate with district level Land Rights Forum, Dalit organizations, other concerned stakeholders related to a griculture, livestock, land and province government to for effective implementation of the project.

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2020 → Dec 31, 2020

Coverage

Rautahat, Madhesh

The project's main goals are the promotion of the rights of migrant workers by bringing policy changes at the local level through the engagement of stakeholders and advocacy as well as orientating migrants workers on their rights. www.peopleforum.org.np

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2020 → Dec 31, 2020

Coverage

Nepal

Hundreds of communities in different eco-regions (mountain, hill and low land tarai) of the country, are maintaining bio-cultural conservation practices in Nepal. Appropriate legal recognition of bio-cultural practices of these communities has become one o f the crucial but critical policy issues in Nepal. Numbers of new legislations are under formulation with little inputs from forest communities, civil society organisations including the youths. Studies, knowledge and capacities of youths are vital for the sustainability of bio-cultural conservation practices and critical and constructive public policy debates in Nepal's ongoing policy making processes. However, presence as well as voices of the youths in bio-cultural conservation practices and ongoing publ ic policy debates is completely absent. This project is developed to contribute in this policy gap. The expected result of the proposed project is better functioning and appropriate recognition of the bio-cultural conservation practices of forest communiti es through enhanced knowledge and leadership capacity of youths for the effective and sustainable bio-cultural conservation practices and constructive public policy debates in federal Nepal. This project aims to develop knowledge and leadership capacity of youths by facilitating them in self-documentation, self-analysis and self-dissemination of the knowledge on bio-cultural conservation practices so as to promote their effective participation in conservation practices and networking with concerned CSOs for public policy debates. The youths studying in grade 9 to 12 in four piloting sites (representing three eco-regions of the country) and all the community members in the respective piloting sites will be direct beneficiaries of the proposed project. Similar ly, all the members of ICCA Network Nepal (an informal civil society network formed by 29 local forest and conservation communities-"Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas-ICCA") including related CSOs will also be benefited from the collaboration and pa rtnership for policy advocacy and lobby. Project is implemented by Ribdung-Jaleswori Education Foundation (REF), www.ref.org.np.

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2019 → Dec 31, 2020

Coverage

Nepal

Bajhang is one of the least developed districts of Nepal where almost 50 % of people live below poverty line and suffer from food insecurity. Agricultural productivity is low due to lack of technical knowledge and unavailability of quality inputs and irrig ation facilities. There are natural resources available but due to limited knowhow and poor market access people are not able to use them for livelihood improvement purpose. In the patriarchal communities women suffer from gender dicsrimination and violenc e and are excluded from decision-making.The objective of this project is to uplift the livelihoods and food security of the socially and economically marginalized communities of Masta Rural Municipality through improved farming practices value addition and better access to markets empower women through capacity development and leadership trainings and build more resilient communities through sustainable animal husbandry and natural resource management and developing NTFP-based livelihood opportunities.The p roject implemented by Sahara Nepal and supported by Swallows supports Finland's development objectives by increasing food security and promoting sustainable use of natural resources and enhancing the rights and status of women and girls. The project will s trengthen local partner organization's capacity and role in community capacity building and establishing linkages between communities and local government. The project is expected to benefit directly around 300 poor households. At least half of the benefic iaries will be women.

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

USD 208K

Timeline

Jun 24, 2020 → Dec 31, 2023

Coverage

Bajhang, Sudurpashchim

Chepang and Tamang communities living in the hills of central Nepal are among the most marginalized and resource poor groups in Nepal.Their tiny land holdings provide no more than 3 to 6 months of food security and deforestation has contributed to environm ental degradation. Due to lack of knowledge of efficient and sustainable agricultural practices and land-tenure rights the communities are practicing unsustainable agriculture and animal husbandry which aggravate soil erosion that causes regular landslides that destroy agricultural fields and threaten the lives of people and animals. To improve access to remote villages local government has started infrastructure development projects without proper social and environmental impact assessments.The objective o f this project is to uplift the livelihoods and food security of the Chepang and Tamang communities through agro-forestry development and developed market access strenghten community-based natural resource management sustainable land use and climate change adaptation and empower women and persons with disabilities.This is achieved by e.g. developing sound biodiversity management and sustainable livelihood activities in cooperation with community-based organizations and local government. Capacity building of forest user groups will be done to strenghten their operational capacity and local government will be supported in preparation and implementation of the local climate change adaptation plan of action.The continuation project implemented by NAFAN and suppo rted by Swallows supports Finland's development objectives by increasing food security and promoting sustainable use of natural resources local democracy and participation of women in decision making. The project will strengthen local partner organization' s capacity and role in community capacity building and establishing linkages between communities and local government. The project is expected to benefit directly around 3000 right-holders and 150 duty-bearers. In addition approx. 3500 people are expected to benefit indirectly.

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

USD 235K

Timeline

Jun 24, 2020 → Dec 31, 2024

Coverage

Nepal

Persons with psychosocial disability face daily barriers in society, exacerbated by lack of psychosocial disability friendly laws in Nepal. KOSHISH carried out a study to outline the gaps in the Nepali legal framework within the context of the constitution of Nepal and UNCRPD. On the basis of the conclusions and recommendations of said study, KOSHISH has designed a comprehensive four year project which aims to support establishment of psychosocial disability friendly legal framework in Nepal which protects and promotes their rights. Needs based activities are outlined in this proposal for Members of Parliament, Bureaucrats, Constitutional Body members and Judges to take measures to include psychosocial disability in their agenda.

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2018 → Dec 31, 2020

Coverage

Nepal

Justice delivered by the court is beyond the reach of ordinary people. It is expensive and cumbersome process which leads most justice seekers to drop the case. Hence, it is inaccessible to the poor and marginalized people, specially the victims of violenc e. The project focuses on capacity building on human rights, legal rights and other related policy and direct support to individuals suffering from sexual violence. Similarly, it strengthens local judicial committees under the municipality and rural munici palities to respond to GBV cases properly and effectively. Newly elected local-level representatives will be oriented on their roles with regards to addressing human rights issues in their respective jurisdictions (deputy mayors, vice chair-persons and mem bers of municipalities and rural municipalities) exclusively on the human rights based approach (HRBA) to development, in particular the rights and responsibilities of local judicial communities, and dispute resolution and mediation process to ensure justi ce to victims. This increases women’s access to justice. Mediation and Reconciliation Committees will also be constituted under the Judicial Committee. http://cvict.org.np/

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2018 → Dec 31, 2020

Coverage

Nepal

After the promulgation of the constitution and restructuring of the state, a need has been realized for Nepal to come up with a plan of action to address the issues of migration shifting it from centralized institutional arrangments towards more progessive and participatory local governance dimensions. The overall goal envisioned by this project is protection and promotion of access to justice of migrant workers enforcing the policy level changes through engagement of wide ranges of experts and stakeholders ' orientation, advocacy and case law decision, changing the behaviours or practise of duty bearers and/or empower rights holders and protecting the rights of the migrant workers and facilitate their case proceedings in local level governance.After the suc cessful imlementation of the project, the migrant workers including their family members will have knowledge to access or access to justice in the changed context of State governance. Beside that, various stakeholders will have knowlege on the decentraliza tion mandates of the Foreign Employment which will change in the skills, awareness ability and behaviour or practise of both duty bearers and right holders and other responsibles in the entire spectrum of migration process through the local governance. www .peopleforum.org.np

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Nov 2, 2005 → Dec 31, 2021

Coverage

Nepal

In the changed political context of Nepal, there has been significant scope for the drafting, amending number of laws and policies of various issues of human rights concern. The only issue that lacks the normative framework is of issues relating to forced migrants who categorically are refugees and asylum seekers. The project is dedicated for the population who are in vulnerable conditions resulting from the absence of such laws and policies. The project aims at meeting the expected outcomes of legal prot ection through four mutually reinforcing approaches: i) empowering the refugee community by creating a pool of paralegals through a Paralegal Short Course ii) Instantaneous address of legal challenges faced by beneficiaries through a law clinic and mobil e legal clinics iii) Public advocacy through outreach, dialogues/discussions, information campaigns, and workshops and iv) Closed-door meetings with host community organizations including law enforcement and administrative officials, members of judiciary a nd civil society, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and other relevant stakeholders not limiting up the official channels. These four-fold approaches will help the forced migrants to access justice, sustainably protect rights of their fellow communitie s through paralegal short courses and well network with public officials to foster protection sphere. www.inhuredinternational.org

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2018 → Dec 31, 2020

Coverage

Nepal

The UN Women implemented project ?Leaving no one Behind? is part of the UNWomen Nepal Country Strategy for the years 2018-2021. The total budget is 4 million euros.The project is divided into two result areas. The first result area focuses on inclusive gov ernance and access to justice by aiming to strengthen the capacity of duty bearers (authorities and government) to integrate gender equality objectives into policies and plans. The second result area focuses on strengthening the ability of excluded women's groups for economic and social participation. The project continues to support Nepal's first National Action Plan on UN security council resolutions 1325 and 1820.

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Dec 4, 2018 → Dec 31, 2021

Coverage

Nepal

The overall objective of the project is to reduce child poverty through strengthening of the government social protection system in Nepal and making it more child sensitive. This project will contribute to achieve the global objectives of the Child Sensit ive Social Protection (CSSP, Subtheme 1) under the Child Poverty Theme. The specific outcome that this project aims to achieve is to improve the well-being of children in the designated project area.

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2017 → Dec 31, 2020

Coverage

Nepal

On a long-term perspective the project will contribute to creating an environment for a dignified life for persons with disabilities (PWDs), enabling self-reliance and participation in society on an equal basis as others. The main three outcomes are concer ned with the inclusion of PWDs in community activities and services, PWDs acting as change agents for the rights of all PWDs, and increased income and employment rate of PWDs in the targeted districts (Lalitpur, Dhading, Kaski, Banke and Kailali).

Organization

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 1, 2014 → Dec 31, 2020

Coverage

Dhading, Lalitpur

Strengthening Inclusive Democratic Governance and Electoral Process in Nepal” through the pooled fund mechanism Nepal Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Fund for support to Nepal 2026 elections (Jan–Dec 2026) seeks to restore public trust and foster an enabling environment for Nepal’s general election while safeguarding integrity and inclusion.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Jan 23, 2026 → Jun 30, 2026

Coverage

Nepal

NGOs in Nepal provide important social services and complement government efforts to promote socio-economic and political development. However, the limited management capacity and inadequate governance of many NGOs hampers effective service delivery. The project supports the NGO Federation and its members to improve their effectiveness, accountability and governance through capacity building and the establishment and monitoring of Internal Control Systems (ICS).

Organization

Swiss Development Cooperation

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Oct 1, 2014 → Feb 28, 2018

Coverage

Nepal

This research study will focus on understanding the dynamics of the youth led large-scale nationwide demonstrations in September 2025 events and underlying tensions at inter- and intra-party, religious, ethnic, and at the sub-national (provincial and local government levels. It will explore how Nepal can respond to this civic and institutional moment by strengthening its federal and sub-national governance systems through strategically sequenced, politically feasible reforms.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 57K

Timeline

Jan 20, 2026 → Mar 1, 2027

Coverage

Nepal

The project empowers communities to claim their developmental rights by capacitating local civil society organisations (CSOs) to hold their local governments accountable. This is achieved by applying various social accountability (SA) tools. A protracted phase of political transition, a lack of structural accountability and transparency, rising corruption at all levels of government, and an absence of elected representatives makes the intervention highly relevant for target communities in SDC project areas.

Organization

Swiss Development Cooperation

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Apr 1, 2012 → Jul 15, 2017

Coverage

Nepal

As a result of this project, the demand side of local governance will be strengthened through the empowerment of right holders. Social mobilization interventions will enable beneficiaries to more effectively demand public services and hold national and local governments accountable. Simultaneously, the supply side will be strengthened. As a result, local bodies with strengthened institutional capacity and resources will provide services more effectively to the people, esp. to disadvantaged groups. In addition, an enabling policy environment will be promoted. Inter alia, this will help to prepare Nepal for a future federal system, as and when this system is defined in the new constitution.

Organization

Swiss Development Cooperation

Budget

USD 2.1M

Timeline

Jul 16, 2013 → Jul 15, 2018

Coverage

Nepal

The Evidence, Digital Innovation and Technology (EDIT) programme aims to enhance Nepal's evidence-based policy-making and digital development. It will build modern partnerships to improve the capacity of the Government, development partners (including BEK), and other stakeholders to use data for better policies, unlocking the data dividend and accelerating poverty reduction. The programme will support the establishment of a state-of-the-art e-Governance system, fostering an inclusive and safe environment for AI and other innovative technologies. Beneficiaries include the Government of Nepal, civil society organizations, and the general population, particularly youth and disadvantaged groups

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

May 9, 2025 → Mar 31, 2030

Coverage

Nepal

The project will strengthen digital resilience, safeguard electoral integrity, and empower young citizens to participate meaningfully in Nepal’s democratic processes. It will do so through a multi-pronged approach supporting Election Commission Nepal for the following objectives: 1. To counter digital information disorder and safeguard electoral integrity in Nepal. 2. To improve public access to accurate, inclusive, and easy-to-understand electoral information in online spaces in Nepal 3. To create inclusive digital and data-informed spaces for meaningful youth participation through informed dialogue and engagement

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 355K

Timeline

Nov 28, 2025 → Mar 31, 2030

Coverage

Nepal

The RIVA programme will empower women, girls, and excluded groups in Nepal to understand and claim their Rights individually and collectively, participate in Inclusive policy-making and implementation, and have a stronger Voice and Agency at both national and local levels to advance Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI).

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

Nov 19, 2024 → Mar 31, 2028

Coverage

Nepal

Demand Driven Technical Assistance to strengthen and implement GEDSI transformative initiatives, engaging WROs, CSOs, and excluded groups in planning and policy development that reflects the experiences of the most excluded and providing a platform for diverse and excluded voices. TA to improve GEDSI mainstreaming outcomes, drive better coherence on GEDSI and support to CSOs between BEK portfolio

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 2.7M

Timeline

Nov 7, 2024 → Mar 31, 2028

Coverage

Nepal

The main objective of this programme is gender discriminatory attitudes, behaviours, and social norms (including caste-based discrimination) are transformed in communities where women, girls, marginalised groups, and their networks (including women rights organizations) increasingly participate in and benefit from gender-responsive and inclusive governance processes and human rights in Nepal.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 3.3M

Timeline

Nov 5, 2024 → Mar 31, 2028

Coverage

Nepal

People in Nepal still suffer from lack of effective human rights protection, weak public accountability, and prevailing impunity. Switzerland and Denmark continue to support the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) aiming at systematically developing its internal capacity. The third phase will enable the NHRC to better fulfil its mandate and increase its legitimacy and leverage to advocate more effectively for the protection and promotion of human rights for the people of Nepal.

Organization

Swiss Development Cooperation

Budget

— · not reported

Timeline

May 1, 2016 → Dec 31, 2017

Coverage

Nepal

This project - Data Exchange Platform Study- is a Technical Assistance (TA) to e-Governance Board of Nepal. The board established as the apex body for digital transformation of Government of Nepal’s public service delivery, system and processes is implementing a national data interoperability system. This represents a cornerstone in Nepal’s digital transformation journey, which will revolutionise how individuals and agencies (public and private) exchange data and deliver services to citizens. This initiative aligns with Nepal's commitment to the Digital Nepal Framework 2.0 and the broader vision of inclusive and efficient governance through digital means. This project is aimed to pave the way for implementing a solution that will establish a sustainable framework to support future digital governance initiatives in Nepal.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 153K

Timeline

Jan 27, 2026 → Mar 31, 2026

Coverage

Nepal

This activity Fund to World Bank - Governance and Accountability Action Plan (GAAP) Studies is a component of Support to Nepal Health Sector Programme II reported by FCDO with a funding type of 109 - Multilateral organisation and a budget of £620,000. It works in the following sector(s): Basic health care, Health policy and administrative management, Health education, Health personnel development.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 990K

Timeline

Oct 15, 2010 → Nov 22, 2016

Coverage

Nepal

This activity Implementation Costs - Public Finance Management is a component of Public Finance Management reported by FCDO with a funding type of 109 - Multilateral organisation and a budget of £3,500,000. It works in the following sector(s): Public finance management (PFM), Democratic participation and civil society.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 5.5M

Timeline

Dec 24, 2010 → Jan 22, 2018

Coverage

Nepal

This activity Design Consultancy- Public Finance Management is a component of Public Finance Management reported by FCDO with a funding type of 104 - Procurement of Services and a budget of £66,685. It works in the following sector(s): Public finance management (PFM), Anti-corruption organisations and institutions.

Organization

FCDO Nepal

Budget

USD 30K

Timeline

Jan 24, 2010 → Jan 22, 2018

Coverage

Nepal