DFAT Monitoring Visit
Caritas Nepal was honored to welcome Ms. Anna Mackintosh, Acting Assistant Director, and Tobias Smith, Senior Program Officer from the NGO Program and Partnership Section of DFAT, during their recent monitoring visit to Kankai Municipality, Jhapa from 10th to 12th May 2025. This visit was part of the ongoing efforts under the NLRP II program, which aims to promote sustainable development and strengthen local partnerships. The team engaged with our right holders and stakeholders to see the impact of NLRP II initiatives and gather firsthand feedback, ensuring that our collective efforts are leading to real, meaningful change. Their insights will be invaluable as we continue to build on this important work and create lasting solutions for our right holders.
Community Seed Bank Management and Seed Production Training
A three-days training on “Community Seed Bank Management and Seed Production” was held from 21–23 May 2025 at Gavr Valley Homestay, Baijanath-1, Banke, organized by Caritas Nepal, Kohalpur, Banke. A total of 16 participants, including members of the Community Seed and Food Bank Management Committee of Chisapani Agriculture Cooperative Ltd. and other farmers interested in seed production, actively participated. The training was facilitated by Technical Officers from Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), Khajura, Banke. Participants gained practical knowledge on seed selection, preservation, and local seed production techniques, enhancing their capacity to manage community seed sustainably by the community with the support of cooperative
Plant Clinics Event
Plant clinics under NLRP II were organized in Surkhet and Lalitpur districts, respectively. In Surkhet, it was organized in Panchpuri 4 Baraiche in coordination with Panchpuri Municipality Ward No. 4. Representatives from the local government, including the ward No. 4 chairperson, ward secretary, and ward member, were present. Agriculture expert of the Municipal Agriculture Development Branch Panchpuri facilitated the clinic who worked with farmers to identify crop-related problems and provide recommendations. A total of 33 farmers participated, bringing 65 sample plants for examination. Following inspection, appropriate pesticides were distributed. Likewise, in Lalitpur, 40 samples of a variety of vegetables including cucumber, brinjal, raddish, chilli and champa rayo were taken from 21 farmers from Jhagakot.
Skill Building Trainings
Two significant skill-building initiatives were conducted in Nawalpur in coordination with Devchuli Municipality Ward No. 1. targeting enterprise farmers. The first was a one-month coffee barista training program, which began on May 15 organized by Bhumika Technical Service. Its main goal is to equip 48 participants with professional barista skills in coffee preparation. This initiative aims to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial opportunities within the growing coffee industry, ultimately contributing to improved livelihoods for individuals and fostering the overall economic development of the community. Similarly, a five-day pickle-making training was held from May 30 to June 3, 2025, at the Bote Majhi Community Homestay in Keureni, facilitated by the chairperson of Surbodaya. It aimed to empower 20 homestay members with the practical skills and knowledge needed to produce and market high-quality pickles. The initiative supports diversification of income sources for participants.
Inter-Cooperative Workshop
The Inter-Cooperative Workshop at the Municipal Level was held with the active participation of 34 individuals (23 males and 11 females) representing 12 cooperatives, along with elected representatives and staff from the Cooperative Department of Baijanath Rural Municipality, Banke. This event was organized collaboratively by Baijanath RM, the Cooperative Department, and Caritas Nepal. The workshop aimed to strengthen collaboration and promote effective partnerships among the diverse cooperatives within Baijanath Rural Municipality. By bringing together cooperative representatives, elected officials, and staff from the Cooperative Department, the event seeked to enhance understanding, address common challenges, and identify opportunities for joint initiatives. The core purpose of the workshop was to improve the functionality, sustainability, and community impact of cooperatives in the region through shared learning and strategic alignment.
Psycho-social Counselling First Aid (PFA) Training
A three-day training on “Psycho-social Counselling First Aid (PFA)” was conducted at NCRC, Nawapur, from May 2 to May 4, 2025, as part of the NLRP II program. This training aims to enhance the capacity of 24 participants, including 10 Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and Caritas Nepal staff, by equipping them with essential techniques and knowledge for providing immediate psycho-social support to people in needs and distress. By enhancing their capacity in PFA, the training seeks to empower these frontline workers to provide effective initial assistance, build resilience and promote mental well-being within the communities they serve.
Review, Reflection, and Planning Workshop of POWER III
On 6-7 May 2025, a two-day Review, Reflection, and Planning Workshop of POWER III under NLRP II was conducted in Nepalgunj, with 38 participants (19 female and 19 male), including 13 dedicated Human Rights Defenders. The workshop reflected the POWER Project’s approach and the strength of consortium partnerships in promoting mutual learning and knowledge sharing. Sessions covered important themes like climate justice and school-based grievance handling mechanisms, showcasing field experiences and best practices from across the consortium. The workshop also helped us refine strategies and ensure stronger alignment with the POWER III results framework aiming for even greater impact in the days ahead.
Child Rights Protection and the Advancing Child Protection Policy (CPP) Training
A two-day training on “Child Rights Protection and the Advancing Child Protection Policy (CPP)” was held on May 22–23, 2025, at Dalla Homestay in Bardiya facilitated by CN province and field staff. A total of 39 participants, including teachers, School Management Committee (SMC) members, and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) members from Rara Secondary School in Banke (13 participants) and Janachetana Secondary School in Bardiya (11 participants), actively participated in the training. Participants learned about the importance of child rights and protection. They also engaged in drafting and planning for the future endorsement of the CPP in their respective schools. Participants envisioned a five-year roadmap for transforming their schools into child-friendly environments. Both schools expressed a strong commitment to implementing the CPP, contributing to safer and more inclusive learning environments that promote child rights and protection at the school level.
Leadership Training for Child Club Members
Capability-building training to develop leadership skills of child members was organized in Bardia and Kanchanpur on May 9 and May 29, respectively. In Bardia, 27 municipality child network members and newly elected child leaders participated, while in Kanchanpur, 34 child members and leaders attended this training. The main aim of this training was to empower child club leaders, members and child network members with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to effectively manage child club, represent their peers, advocate for children’s rights, and actively engage in local governance.
