UNDP invites proposals for its Development Journalism Fellowship 2017

UNDP Nepal is calling for applications for its Development Reporting Fellowship from journalists writing on or are interested to write on emerging development issues in Nepal’s context. The fellowship awards individual journalists with small projects that support them in making a systematic inquiry and investigation into selected topics, organizing the findings and presenting the same through appropriate media outlets.

Rebuilding with the Community After a Disaster: Volunteer Engagement in the 2015 Nepal Earthquake

In the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake, UN Volunteers were rapidly mobilized from different parts of Nepal to provide vital aid. National UNVs motivated by their longing to help others and contribute to their community were on the front line, reinforcing government-led interventions alongside approximately 300 organizations. This included supporting the UNDP Demolition and Debris Management Project to conduct the structural assessment of damaged buildings and oversee the destruction of structures found to be unsafe. This report documents the participation of the UNVs in two UNDP projects in the disaster-affected sites.

Spreading the word on the SDGs

Refusing to be daunted by her hearing impairment, Anju Gurung—back from attending the Asia Pacific Youth Exchange in Manila as part of a youth action component of UNDP’s ESP—is keen to mobilize young people, including those with disabilities, to proactively contribute to achieving the SDGs

A different tune

Ten years ago, Lalo Devi might have never imagined she’d be running a successful flute-making business, but thanks to support from UNDP’s MEDEP, the Dalit woman from Saptari has forged a path out of poverty

A mile in Maiya's shoes

A shoe-making enterprise started with training and support from UNDP’s MEDEP has not just enabled a mother of two to help pull her family back on its feet after the earthquake, but also changed the dynamics within their home—for the better

The future of development cooperation: Engaging with the private sector

The “Role of the Private Sector in the Era of Sustainable Development” conference on 12 December discussed the country’s prospects in achieving in the SDGs and how enterprises and corporations might potentially expedite the process

A long-awaited turn-around

For the locals of the village of Gadhi in Surkhet, a UNDP-supported water-supply project has completely altered their prospects, particularly that of women

New dawn: Growing 'black diamonds' in Gairimudi, Dolakha
New dawn: Growing 'black diamonds' in Gairimudi, Dolakha

A group of farmers in the earthquake-stricken settlement of Putalikat in Dolakha’s Gairimudi are set to reap the rewards of commercial farming of large cardamom thanks to a training organized by the District Agriculture Development Office and local NGO ECARDS, and assisted by UNDP's Community Infrastructure and Livelihood Recovery Programme (CILRP)

Supporting Nepal in Building Back Better: UNDP Strategy for Earthquake Recovery Assistance
Supporting Nepal in Building Back Better: UNDP Strategy for Earthquake Recovery Assistance

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes of 2015, UNDP has been extending its support to the Government of Nepal to coordinate, plan and manage the recovery and reconstruction processes. In addition to the immediate emergency assistance provided within the first six months, UNDP is further assisting the Government through a comprehensive recovery programme spanning four years. This report presents the UNDP’s strategy with regards to earthquake recovery assistance in Nepal, and the effort therein to systematically address underlying vulnerabilities in order to help the country to return to sustainable development pathways and build back better.

Businesses To Play Greater Role In New Development Era In Asia-Pacific, Says UNDP At Responsible Business Forum
Businesses To Play Greater Role In New Development Era In Asia-Pacific, Says UNDP At Responsible Business Forum

At the fifth Responsible Business Forum, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today called on business leaders to take a greater role in the new development era in order to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This Forum, opened in Singapore by UNDP and Global Initiatives, aims to address a sea change in the nature of development funding by creating a new partnership for sustainable development.

While foreign funding (Official Development Assistance) is still essential for the development system, it now accounts for 0.7 percent of total financial flows in Asia-Pacific (down from 13.5 percent in 1990), while domestic public and private finance accounts for 89 percent, according to a UNDP report launched last month.

Parliamentarians open informal forum to promote SDGs

Kathmandu Nepal’s parliamentarians have launched an informal forum to promote and implement the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A follow-up to the Millennium Development Goals, which concluded in 2015, the SDGs comprise long-term development objectives agreed upon by all 193 member-states of...

Persons with Disabilities and Stakeholders Raise their Concerns over Proposed Disability Bill

Kathmandu Persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other stakeholders have suggested new areas for amendment in the proposed Disability Bill. The concerns were put forth to lawmakers at an interaction programme held in Kathmandu on Friday with UNDP’s support. Speaking at the programme, one of the participants, Dr....

Mobilizing People to Adapt to a Changing Climate

In 2013, the Government of Nepal began implementing a National Climate Change Support Programme in 14 remote districts, under the guidance of the Ministry of Population and Environment, and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development. Facing longstanding challenges with programme delivery, the Government sought external technical support, opting for UNDP as a partner, given its expertise and long history of engagement in the country. For the first time in Nepal, the programme used a co-financing approach, drawing on financing provided to the Government by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the European Union. The move signals Nepal’s urgent need to adapt to climate change as it strives to graduate from a least developed to a middle-income country by 2022.

Raising from the dust

The timely help of UNDP's Rapid Enterprise and Livelihood Recovery Project has enabled micro entrepreneurs in Kubu kasthali, raise from the dust of rumbles to catch the pace of their lost prosperity in the devastating Earthquake. Saraswati Karki hand her husband lived a very poor life until a decade ago. Despite...

Flyer: UNDP support to Constitution of Nepal

On 19 September, 2015, Nepal took a significant democratic step with the promulgation of its long-awaited Constitution adopted by the popularly elected Constituent Assembly. Eight years in the making, the Constitution of Nepal fulfills a significant achievement for the country as the Constituent Assembly reached an agreement passing the landmark set of principles upon which Nepal will be governed.

Nepal launches new project to minimise climate change impacts on agriculture

The Government of Nepal, UNDP and the Food and Agriculture Organization on Monday launched a new project to integrate climate change adaptation in the agriculture sector. According to a 2015 study ‡, the impact of climate change on Nepal’s agriculture is likely to reduce GDP by about 0.8 per cent per year in 2050. Amongst other things, this will come from more intense and frequent droughts that can damage crops and reduce yields. The cumulative impact of the losses in the agriculture sector would be a GDP lower by 13% than it would otherwise have been.

Regional conference highlights the need to address conflict-related sexual violence

Transitional justice experts and survivors from post-conflict countries, including Nepal, Cambodia and Guatemala have underscored the urgency for addressing pending cases of conflict-related sexual violence to secure lasting and sustainable peace. Experts speaking at a two-day conference at the end of September...

Reviving tourism locally

Locals from Briddhim VDC in Rasuwa district provide labour to reconstruct a road vital to tourism

People with disabilities express their needs to Nepal’s decision makers

Dhanusha - In Nepal, people with disabilities often feel excluded from many areas of daily life. Accessing government services is one area in which they feel limited and their rights overlooked. “We have been hearing special facilities to be provided to disabled persons in public facilities like transportation, education,...

Nepal pilots a new diagnostic for climate budgeting

Despite making a negligible contribution to global warming, Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. Climate change threatens to save almost 10 per cent off projected annual gross domestic product (GDP) by 2100, according to the ADB. Prudent public spending and fiscal management...

Beset by water woes, quake survivors receive succor

A new drinking water scheme has brought relief to the earthquake survivor residents of Bhotechaur-2 in Sindhupalchowk district “We survived the earthquake but now we might die of thirst,” bemoaned Fulmaya Tamang of Bhotechaur VDC-2 in Sindhupalchowk district. “We lived through the loss of our homes and our...