1. Training on Cooperative Account and Saving Mobilization – Various Districts (2005–2007)
To strengthen Nepal’s rural economy, ECARDS-Nepal implemented a Training on Cooperative Account and Saving Mobilization program across multiple districts. The goal was to improve the financial literacy and management skills of cooperative members, financial institution officers, and community groups, ensuring effective management of savings and credit services. Many rural cooperatives struggled with bookkeeping and financial sustainability, leading to mismanagement and financial losses.
The training program focused on record-keeping, financial accountability, loan disbursement strategies, and savings mobilization techniques. By equipping cooperative officers with these essential skills, the program helped enhance financial transparency, reduce risks of mismanagement, and improve the financial stability of local cooperatives. Additionally, ECARDS-Nepal introduced basic business training, allowing cooperative members to understand investment opportunities and micro-enterprise development.
Beyond financial skills, the project strengthened community-based cooperatives, fostering economic self-reliance. Many of the trained cooperatives were able to expand their savings portfolios, offer micro-loans to local businesses, and improve their overall impact in rural development. This project played a crucial role in helping communities move towards financial independence and sustainable economic growth.
2. Training of Agriculture and Livestock Technicians – Kailali (2004–2025)
With agriculture being the backbone of Nepal’s rural economy, ECARDS-Nepal recognized the need for skilled agricultural and livestock technicians. This long-term training initiative, spanning multiple years, aimed to enhance the technical expertise of farmers, agricultural officers, and livestock technicians, ensuring higher productivity and better livestock management.
The training covered topics such as disease control, modern farming techniques, organic pest management, and livestock breeding. Special emphasis was placed on improving livestock health through vaccination programs, balanced nutrition planning, and advanced breeding techniques. This helped increase milk and meat production, reduce livestock mortality rates, and improve the income levels of farmers.
Additionally, ECARDS-Nepal trained local technicians who could offer support services within their communities, ensuring sustainability. Many of these trained professionals went on to work in government agricultural offices, start their own veterinary services, or provide consultancy to local farmers. By focusing on skill development, ECARDS-Nepal helped create employment opportunities, strengthen food security, and boost Nepal’s agricultural sector.
3. School Health and Nutrition Project (SHNP) – Kathmandu (2007–2008)
ECARDS-Nepal implemented the School Health and Nutrition Project (SHNP) in Kathmandu to improve student health and hygiene practices, ensuring better academic performance and overall well-being. Poor sanitation, malnutrition, and lack of awareness about hygiene were major challenges affecting schoolchildren in Nepal. This project aimed to address these issues through health education, nutritional support, and infrastructure improvements.
The project focused on training teachers, students, and parents about the importance of hygiene, sanitation, and balanced nutrition. Awareness sessions covered topics like handwashing, menstrual hygiene, and the importance of clean drinking water. To make these lessons engaging, ECARDS-Nepal distributed educational materials, organized workshops, and conducted interactive sessions in schools.
In addition to awareness-building, the project provided nutritional support to students facing malnutrition. This included school meal programs, vitamin supplements, and training sessions on home gardening to encourage parents to grow nutrient-rich vegetables. The project significantly reduced absenteeism, improved student concentration, and fostered a culture of hygiene and nutrition awareness among young students.