Canada reaffirms commitment to Nepal’s sustainable development

Kathmandu, February 18 —  As Nepal and Canada celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2025, Canada has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development in Nepal. On February 17, the Embassy of Canada in Nepal hosted a special reception to honor the impact of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) projects.

First Secretary Ian Trites emphasized the important role the CFLI program plays in strengthening Nepal-Canada relations, particularly in areas like gender equality, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth. The CFLI supports small-scale, high-impact projects that align with the priorities of Global Affairs Canada.

These projects are designed and implemented primarily by local partners, with selection and approval from the relevant Canadian embassy or high commission. With an investment of CAD 246,000, CFLI has helped empower marginalized communities, promoted inclusive development, and reinforced bilateral relations between Nepal and Canada.

CFLI Manager Jasvinder Kaur shared details of the program’s positive impact and announced that a new call for proposals would be launched in March, aiming to expand the program's reach and drive further grassroots change in Nepal. In 2024-25, several CFLI-supported projects made significant contributions to Nepal's development. For instance, Fair Trade Group Nepal trained 145 coffee farmers and 100 women artisans in sustainable craftsmanship, providing them with vital livelihood and entrepreneurial skills.

The Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children (HRDC) offered healthcare camps, surgeries, and assistive devices to 250 children with disabilities, while also educating 300 community members on disability management. Maiti Nepal’s initiatives in Dhanusha successfully reduced child marriages by 10%, provided life skills training to 40 women, and protected 30 women and children from gender-based violence. 

The Media Advocacy Group trained 81 women journalists in political reporting, which resulted in 32 published stories, thereby increasing the visibility of women in Nepali media. Prayatna Nepal bridged the digital divide for visually impaired women by training 20 women in assistive technology and creating an accessibility checklist adopted by 150 stakeholders.

Rainbow Disability Nepal (RDN) empowered 100 LGBTQ+ persons with disabilities through rights advocacy and community-building initiatives in Kathmandu. Lastly, SAATH supported the economic independence of marginalized women by training 15 artisans in Mithila art, enabling them to sell their work at the SAATH Danfe store.

These transformative projects reflect the significant and lasting impact of the CFLI program, contributing to Nepal’s social and economic development while strengthening the long-standing partnership between Nepal and Canada.