Project
Nepal: Opportunities through craftsmanship and entrepreneurship
Nepal has a young population with great potential, but many young people grow up without prospects for work. A lack of good education and vocational training, and poor integration into the labor market, mean that they cannot find a job or leave for abroad for low-paid work.
From learning to work and entrepreneurship
The Skills for Employment and Entrepreneurship Project (SEEP) was developed by our local partner, Child Watabaran Center Nepal (CWCN). The program focuses on young people aged 15 to 25 and helps them make the transition from education to work or entrepreneurship. SEEP addresses not only the skills gap but also the lack of access to opportunities. By combining education, practical experience, and connection to the labor market, a comprehensive pathway is created in which young people discover, develop, and utilize their talents. This project is the SEEP Advisory Board connected: a committed group of people who collectively contribute to the development and scaling up of the program and thereby make a direct impact for young people in Nepal. Read more about the SEEP Advisory Board and how people connect with it.
The approach: three pillars
The strength of SEEP lies in its integrated approach, built on three pillars that reinforce each other. Our partner, Child Watabaran Center Nepal (CWCN), has extensive experience with vulnerable youth and a strong local network. As a result, the program is well-rooted in practice and aligns with the labor market.
- Practical Work Life Orientation (PWLO)
Within secondary schools, young people are introduced to the world of work and discover their interests and talents. - Incubation Hub
In Kathmandu, young people follow practice-oriented vocational training courses, develop their entrepreneurial skills and soft skills, and receive guidance towards employment or starting their own business. - Job placement support
Young people are connected with employers and networks, so that they can actually take the step towards work or income.
Impact and scaling up
Over a three-year period, SEEP reaches approximately 1,200 young people, with a special focus on youth from vulnerable situations. They gain access not only to relevant skills but also to concrete opportunities for work and income. This fosters greater independence and reduces the need for migration. The impact extends beyond the individual participant. By better preparing young people for the labor market and stimulating entrepreneurship, the program contributes to stronger local economies and greater prospects within communities. The strength of this model lies in the synergy between education, practical experience, and the labor market. From the start, we have been working on a sustainable model that contributes to job creation and entrepreneurship and, in the long term, becomes less dependent on external funding.
