Locations
[Closed] Circular and Green Economy for Environmental Restoration
Summary
The Circular and Green Economy for Environmental Restoration in Nepal (GREEN) project was launched as an Initiation Plan (IP) in September 2023 to create synergy between innovative interventions in the circular and green economy. This was achieved through an integrated portfolio approach, fully incorporating the Research and Development (R&D) function. The IP had a duration of 18 months (from September 1, 2023, to February 28, 2025).
The project partnered with 18 local governments across six provinces (see below). By the end of its duration, more than 9,000 people—60% of whom were women—directly benefited from these interventions. These initiatives played a crucial role in boosting agricultural production by providing farmers with seeds, tools, equipment, technologies, skills, and business plans.
Background
The GREEN project had four specific objectives. First, it aimed to enhance and scale integrated technologies and innovations in circularity and the green economy through a policy-driven, community-led, and economically viable system. Second, it sought to strengthen linkages between governance, economic, and environmental aspects across various sectors, including but not limited to waste management, agro-promotion, renewable energy, waste-to-energy interventions, health services, tourism, and climate change. Third, the project focused on fostering research and development through the Accelerator Lab, encouraging innovation and improving service delivery for sustainable practices. Lastly, it aimed to promote entrepreneurial skills and behavioral change communication.
The project's key activities included providing follow-up support to sustain green entrepreneurship and livelihoods at the Multilayer Agroforestry Plantation (MAFP) site, particularly in Madhesh Province, by constructing an embankment in Kushum Bichhauna (Badahari stream) of Mithila Municipality, Dhanusha district, to mitigate disaster risks. It also worked to enhance agricultural production systems by installing four hi-tech nurseries across three MAFP sites—one in Mithila Municipality, two in Karjanha Municipality, and one in Kachankawal Rural Municipality. Additionally, the project continued its support for healthcare services and conducted a review of the Multilayer Agroforestry Intervention, which was initiated in 2020.
A rapid assessment of the circular economy and its potential future in Nepal was carried out as part of the project. It also promoted innovative technologies and enterprises to achieve integrated practices in circular and green economies. Moreover, the project supported enterprise development and the supply chain mechanism for banana fiber in Nijgadh and Ratnanagar Municipality. Efforts were also directed toward integrated interventions for creating green job opportunities in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City and Harion Municipality, focusing on planning, sustainable waste management, and skill and employment development.
Furthermore, the project provided early recovery support to households affected by the September 2024 floods and landslides in Kachankawal Rural Municipality (Koshi Province) and Harion Municipality (Madhesh Province). Lastly, it contributed to the development of a Green Transition in Nepal Portfolio, which is set to be jointly implemented in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City.
Major Achievements
- Developed a Green Transition in Nepal Portfolio, set to be jointly implemented in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City.
- Conducted a review of multilayer agroforestry initiatives from gender, climate, and environmental perspectives, revealing positive changes in beneficiaries' income, livelihoods, and environmental restoration.
- Planted approximately 13,000 seedlings to promote a green environment in two municipalities.
- Enabled more than 5,900 people (60% women) to gain access to agricultural land for multilayer agroforestry plantations and riverbed farming by reclaiming and restoring barren and degraded riverbanks in collaboration with five local governments and communities.
- Constructed a river embankment at the Badhari Multilayer Agroforestry Site, sustainably protecting 7.5 hectares of land from floods and inundation.
- Trained 175 individuals in banana fiber extraction and enterprise development in Nijgadh Municipality and Ratnanagar Municipality.
- Strengthened municipal solid waste management by developing SOPs and guidelines and providing waste management skills training to approximately 800 individuals in two municipalities (Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality and Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City).
- Supported the installation of four hi-tech greenhouses in three municipalities, enhancing the agricultural system and benefiting 455 households (70% of which are women-headed).
- Provided green skills training to 182 individuals to enhance green livelihoods as part of the Green Transition Portfolio's pilot interventions.
- Trained 235 individuals in hands-on skills for sustainable livelihoods in four local governments under the Leave No One Behind initiative.
- Developed and reviewed municipal visionary plans and policies in two local governments.
- Implemented integrated interventions in two municipalities to create green job opportunities, focusing on sustainable waste management, skills development, and employment.
- Launched four pilot interventions in Dhangadhi to explore economic prospects and waste audits, conserve traditional ponds for environmental restoration, develop skills for a local green economy, and engage the public in the city’s vision.
- Conducted five research studies, assessments, and surveys, including a rapid assessment of 15 local governments on the circular economy, a review of multilayer agroforestry initiatives from a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) perspective, an economic prospects and waste audit in two local governments, and a public engagement survey in Dhangadhi.
- In response to the September 2024 floods and as part of early recovery efforts, provided support to eight local governments, including two agroforestry sites (Harion Municipality in Sarlahi, Madhesh Province, and Kachanakawal Rural Municipality in Jhapa, Koshi Province), to restore multilayer agroforestry plantations and create better livelihood opportunities for the local population.
Achievements in Numbers
Gender Equality & Social Inclusion
From a diversity and social inclusion perspective, the projects beneficiaries included 16% Dalits, 32% indigenous nationalities, 34% youth, 36% Madhesi, 5% Muslim, and 1% persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Project Details:
| Project Status | Closed |
| Project Period | September 2023- February 2025 |
| Project ID | 01001641 |
| Focus Area | Circular Economy, Waste management, Nature based solutions, Agriculture (agroforestry & Agri value chain), Green Economy, Leave No One Behind Initiative, Health system strengthening, Early recovery response for the September Flood in Nepal |
| Source of Funding | UNDP |
| Budget | 1.4 Million USD |
Collaborating Partners
| SN | Partner NGOs | Local Governments & Partnership year | Districts | Province |
| Social Network for Justice and Development (SN-JD) | Kachankawal Rural Municipality (2023-24) | Jhapa | Koshi | |
| Start Up Room Nepal | ||||
| Community Development & Advocacy Forum Nepal | Karjanha Municipality (2023-24) | Mahottari | Madhesh | |
| Relative Nepal | Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City (2024) | Dhanusha | ||
| Kabi Construction Pvt. Ltd. | Mithila Municipality (2024) | |||
| Himalayan Organic Agriculture Pvt. Ltd. | Kachankawal Rural Municipality (2024) Karjanha Municipality (2024) Mithila Municipality (2024) | Jhapa
Siraha Dhanusha | ||
| Community Improvement Center (CIC) | Mithila Municipality (2023-24) | Dhanusha | ||
| Gramin Swayam Sewak Samaj, GSS Sarlahi | Harion Municipality (2023-25) | Sarlahi | ||
| Center for Research and Sustainable Development Nepal (CREASION) | ||||
| Machine Hub Nepal | Nijgadh Municipality (2023-24) | Bara | ||
| Bio-technology Society Nepal (BSN) | Ratnanagar Municipality (2024-25) | Chitwan | Bagmati | |
| Ministry of Health and Population | Federal Ministry of Health and Population | Kathmandu | ||
| Disability Empowerment Society Nepal | Mahalaxmi Municipality (2024) | Lalitpur | ||
Roshi Rural Municipality (2024-35) Namobuddha Municipality (2024-25) Bethanchok Rural Municipality (2024-25) Panauti Municipality (2024-25) | Kavrepalanchok | |||
Kyonjosom Rural Municipality (2024-25) Mahankal Rural Municipality (2024-25) | Lalitpur |
| ||
| Center for Development & Disaster Management (CDM) Nepal | Devdaha Municipality (2024) | Rupandehi | Lumbini | |
| Creative Institute Nepal | Lumbini Samskritik Municipality, Rupandehi (2023) | |||
| Nepal Gaja Development Foundation | Kathekhola Rural Municipality, Baglung (2024) | Baglung | Gandaki | |
| National Institute Research and Training (NIRT) | Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City (2023-25) | Kailali | Sudurpaschim | |
| PeaceWin | ||||
| Sudur Paschim Samaj | ||||
| Rastriya Dalit Network (RDN) | ||||
| Sustainable Environment Enterprise and Women Awareness Center (SEEWAC) | ||||
| Utopia Kathmandu | ||||
| PACE Nepal | Rapid Assessment of Municipal waste management and green transition in 15 Municipalities (2024) | 15 district Municipalities | Across all provinces |
CONTACT DETAILS
| UNDP Focal Point | Project Focal Point |
| Kalpana Sarkar Portfolio Manager United Nations Development Programme UN House, Pulchowk, Lalitpur GPO Box 107, Kathmandu, Nepal Email: kalpana.sarkar@undp.org | Mukunda Mani Khanal National Project Manager Email: mukunda.khanal@@undp.org |
