Areas We Cover

1. Poverty Reduction and Livelihood Enhancement
Nepal is beset with multiple development problems. They all stem directly or indirectly from the core problem of poverty. Poverty encompasses multiple dimensions and forms of which economic poverty is one. But CEAPRED believes that economic empowerment is not only a necessary condition but also the most important initial step towards eradication of all forms of poverty. Accordingly, CEAPRED has emphasized the improvement of the livelihood of the rural poor with special focus on disadvantaged communities and women. Over the years, it has launched several programs to increase their incomes through high value agricultural programs such as vegetable seed production, off-season vegetable production and livestock programs in various parts of the country. The Center has also launched programs to empower the most marginalized and landless groups through mobilization of group savings, homestead gardening, small livestock rearing and micro-enterprise development. Efforts have also been made to develop and harness locally available resources and institutions in order to ensure the sustainability of its development efforts. As such, activities are designed to mobilize local volunteers and enhance their capacity through several trainings and exposure as well as to facilitate registration and strengthening of local institutions.

CEAPRED’s livelihood enhancement programs have not only brought noticeable changes in the household economy of the beneficiaries but have also contributed to significant changes in structural inequalities by empowering the most marginalized and disadvantaged groups. Women and other disadvantaged groups remain CEAPRED’s primary target beneficiaries both in terms of participation and benefit sharing. Women, who hardly participated in public activities previously, are now holding executive positions in community organizations and are able to claim their share of development benefits. Similarly, caste/ethnicity based – discrimination is being reduced in the program areas largely because of social mobilization and improved livelihood status of Dalit and Janajati groups. The improved income resulting from CEAPRED’s support has contributed to improved nutrition, health and education status of beneficiary households.

2. Sustainable Ecosystem and Environmental Management
The Centre, since its inception, has been launching various environmental action programs in partnership with community organizations. Community-based solid waste management is one of the earliest programs launched in Lalitpur sub-metropolis in 1991. In recent years, climate change has become a serious threat to food security and livelihoods, and accordingly, adaptation to climate change has become a priority program area for CEAPRED. Promotion of local innovation, dissemination of traditional knowledge and technologies, sustainable natural resource management applying integrated pest management and sustainable soil management practices, raising mass awareness, organic farming, and varietal and cropping system improvement, including identification and popularization of local crop species and cultivars are some of the strategies adopted by CEAPRED to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change

3. Action/Policy Research
CEAPRED has also accorded priority to Action/Policy Research in agriculture and environment. As its name implies, action/policy research on Agriculture and Environment has been one of the mandates of CEAPRED. CEAPRED’s past work in this area has generated considerable policy implications and feedback.  It has worked with local communities and mobilized them to plan, prioritize and implement environmental action programs in their respective areas. The Center also engages in assessment and evaluation of various policies and programs as part of its regular activities in order to help design and develop new initiatives and projects for external support.