Morang: An innovative climate-resilient project model has been launched in Urlabari Municipality, Morang, Koshi Province, Nepal.
A program was held on 9th April 2024 (Chaitra 27, 2080) in the presence of Mr. Ganga Prasad Kharel, Mayor, Urlabari Municipality; Ms Mina Khatiwada, Vice-Mayor, Urlabari Municipality Mr Vijaya Singh, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP-Nepal, Mr. Vivek Dhar Sharma, National Coordinator, UNDP GEF/SGP along with provincial, municipal and UNDP officials.
“We started work in November 2023, and since then we have been able to work very closely with the community, municipal government and broader stakeholders. We have completed a series of awareness and capacity building programs and the event started our 1st batch of vermicompost”, highlighted Ms Sangita Nirola, Founder Chairperson, ‘Swati’, who is leading the program execution.
“While the project has defined targets and outcomes, the intangibles like the network it helps build, the engagement it creates with the community are things that will keep it sustained in the long run’, said Mr Vivek Dhar Sharma, National Coordinator, UNDP GEF/SGP – Nepal. “We are confident that this energised ‘Swati’ team will only grow and sustain this program in the coming days”, he mentioned.
“This project is a model we want to showcase to the world”, noted Mr. Vijaya Singh. “We see the commitment from our lead partners in the project. He added that their prolonged generational presence in the community has been a great value addition and we foresee a longer-term association”.
A certificate distribution ceremony was also a part of the program for trainees who completed the One-day Awareness Program on Sustainable Eco-Farming and the Three-day Training on Vermicompost Production as part of the project.
“This is the first training I have ever received since my family settled here more than 30 years ago. I hope that we get a lot more opportunities like these from this project”, said a participant.
