Deadline: 06-May-2026
The “Skill Up! 2030 – Young People Shaping the Future” project by Welthungerhilfe Nepal aims to empower youth in Sudurpashchim Province through skills development, employment opportunities, and system-level reforms in education, labor markets, and food systems.
The 36-month initiative targets 4,200 young people—primarily women and persons with disabilities—to promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable livelihoods.
Programme Overview
The Skill Up! 2030 project is a youth empowerment and systems transformation initiative focused on creating decent, sustainable employment opportunities while addressing structural barriers in education, labor, and economic systems.
It combines:
- Skills development
- Youth employment creation
- Policy and system-level reform
- Gender and inclusion-focused approaches
Key Objectives
Youth Employment and Livelihoods
- Enable self-employment and wage employment
- Support decent and resilient income generation
- Promote entrepreneurship and job readiness
System Transformation
- Improve Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems
- Strengthen labor market structures
- Enhance food system resilience
Gender and Social Inclusion
- Address gender-based and age-based barriers
- Promote leadership of young women
- Include persons with disabilities
Green and Resilient Economy
- Promote environmentally sustainable livelihoods
- Support climate-resilient economic opportunities
Geographic Context
The project is implemented in Sudurpashchim Province, a region characterized by:
- Geographic diversity from Himalayas to Terai plains
- Limited infrastructure and connectivity
- Below-average Human Development Index (~0.547)
- Gaps in education, health, and income
Key Concept Explained
What is Systems Transformation?
Systems transformation refers to:
- Changing underlying structures in education, labor, and economic systems
- Addressing inequality and access barriers
- Improving long-term institutional practices
It goes beyond individual training to reshape how systems function.
What is Decent Employment?
Decent employment means:
- Fair wages
- Safe working conditions
- Stable and dignified work opportunities
- Social and economic security
Project Scale and Impact
- Duration: 36 months
- Direct beneficiaries: 4,200 youth
- Indirect beneficiaries: ~41,000 people
Inclusion Targets
- 70% women
- 5% persons with disabilities
Expected Outcomes
Economic Empowerment
- Increased youth employment opportunities
- Improved income stability
- Growth of youth-led enterprises
System Improvements
- More inclusive TVET systems
- Better functioning labor markets
- Improved institutional responsiveness
Social Impact
- Reduced gender inequality in employment
- Stronger youth participation in decision-making
- Enhanced community resilience
Eligible Applicants
Welthungerhilfe Nepal invites Expressions of Interest from NGOs that are:
- Registered in Kailali
- Registered in Kanchanpur
Required Experience
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Community mobilization expertise
- Livelihood and enterprise development experience
- Economic development programming
- Youth-focused interventions
Preferred Experience
- Working with young women
- Experience with Mukta Kamlari communities
- Gender-responsive programming
How It Works / What to Do
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure NGO is:
- Registered in Kailali or Kanchanpur
- Experienced in livelihood or youth programmes
Step 2: Prepare Expression of Interest (EOI)
Include:
- Organisational background
- Relevant project experience
- Youth and gender inclusion approach
Step 3: Demonstrate Technical Capacity
Show evidence of:
- Community mobilisation
- Enterprise development
- Economic empowerment work
Step 4: Align with Project Goals
Clearly explain:
- How your work supports youth employment
- How you address gender and inclusion barriers
- How you support system-level change
Step 5: Submit Proposal
- Provide structured EOI documentation
- Highlight past impact and scalability
Why This Programme Matters
- Expands youth employment opportunities in a low-income region
- Promotes gender equality in economic participation
- Strengthens local economic systems
- Supports inclusive and sustainable development
- Empowers youth as system-level change agents
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on short-term training without employment outcomes
- Weak gender or disability inclusion strategy
- Lack of experience in youth-focused programming
- Ignoring systems-level change objectives
- Poor alignment with regional context of Sudurpashchim Province
Tips for a Strong Application
- Highlight proven livelihood and enterprise results
- Clearly define youth employment pathways
- Demonstrate gender-responsive programming
- Show understanding of local socio-economic challenges
- Emphasize scalability and long-term impact
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is implementing the project?
The initiative is led by Welthungerhilfe Nepal.
2. Where is the project implemented?
In Sudurpashchim Province.
3. How long is the project duration?
The programme runs for 36 months.
4. Who are the target beneficiaries?
Young women and men aged youth population, including persons with disabilities.
5. How many people will benefit?
4,200 directly and approximately 41,000 indirectly.
6. Who can apply?
NGOs registered in Kailali or Kanchanpur districts.
7. What is the main focus of the project?
Youth employment, systems transformation, and inclusive economic development.
Conclusion
The Skill Up! 2030 initiative by Welthungerhilfe Nepal is a large-scale youth empowerment programme in Sudurpashchim Province designed to create sustainable employment opportunities while transforming education, labor, and economic systems.
By combining skills development, gender inclusion, and systemic reform, the project aims to build long-term economic resilience and enable young people to actively shape their future.
For more information, visit Welthungerhilfe Nepal.
