Locations
20 dynamic young leaders from 10 youth-led Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) across Nepal have been selected as the inaugural cohort of the YECAP Nepal Shakers Fellowship. This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening youth leadership in climate action and advancing Nepal’s commitment to inclusive, locally rooted climate solutions.
About the Fellowship
The Nepal Shakers Fellowship, jointly implemented by UNDP Nepal and Youth Innovation Lab (YI-Lab), is a catalytic initiative designed to empower youth-led CSOs working at the intersection of climate resilience, gender equality, and social inclusion. Building on the foundation of Youth Empowerment in Climate Actions Platform (YECAP) and success of the Youth Climate Catalysts (YCC) program, this fellowship aims to bridge critical capacity gaps by equipping young changemakers with the tools, mentorship, and networks needed to lead transformative climate initiatives.
Aligned with Nepal’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), the fellowship supports youth engagement in climate governance, innovation, and policy advocacy—especially among marginalized groups including women, indigenous youth, and persons with disabilities.
Selection Process
The selection of fellows followed a rigorous, inclusive, and transparent process:
- A nationwide call for applications was launched through digital and community-based outreach.
- Applications were screened based on leadership potential, organizational affiliation, prior climate engagement, and commitment to gender equality and social inclusion (GESI).
- The result: a vibrant cohort of 20 fellows—each affiliated with a youth-led CSO and committed to driving climate action in their municipalities.
Meet the Fellows
From agricultural innovators and environmental engineers to grassroots activists and social entrepreneurs, the fellows bring a rich tapestry of expertise, passion, and lived experience.
From agricultural innovators and environmental engineers to grassroots activists and social entrepreneurs, the fellows bring a rich tapestry of expertise, passion, and lived experience. The map below depicts where the Nepal Shakers Fellows hail from.
The 20 Shakers represent voices from all seven provinces of Nepal, ensuring diverse and inclusive participation.
What’s Next: Capacity Building and Climate Action
The fellowship journey has just begun. Over the coming months, fellows will:
- Participate in a five-day residential training on climate science, policy frameworks, project design, and GESI integration.
- Collaboratively develop youth-led climate action proposals tailored to local needs and municipal priorities.
- Receive mentorship from leading climate experts, policy practitioners, and social innovators.
- Engage with municipal governments to align proposals with annual development plans and budgets.
- Showcase their work at a national partnership-building event, connecting with UN agencies, INGOs, academia, and private sector actors.
Way Forward
The Nepal Shakers Fellowship is more than just a program, it is a movement. By investing in youth leadership, fostering inclusive collaboration, and embedding climate action into local governance, we are laying the foundation for a resilient, equitable, and sustainable Nepal.
