Call for EOIs: Disability-Inclusive Digital Financial Services (Nepal)

Deadline: 20-Mar-2026

The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to collaborate on a study aimed at strengthening disability-inclusive digital financial services in Nepal. The initiative will generate evidence on access barriers, develop actionable solutions, and enhance stakeholder capacity to ensure equitable financial inclusion, particularly in the Madhesh region.

Overview of the Initiative

The Disability-Inclusive Digital Finance Study is part of WFP’s commitment to advancing inclusive humanitarian and development programming in line with the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) and the Global Disability Summit 2025 commitments.

The initiative focuses on:

• Food security: Through cash assistance programs

• Livelihoods support: Enhancing smallholder agricultural market access

• Disability inclusion: Removing barriers to financial services for persons with disabilities

The study is designed to generate evidence, identify gaps, and inform practical solutions for inclusive digital financial ecosystems in Nepal.

Objectives

The initiative aims to:

1. Assess Access: Examine how persons with disabilities access and experience digital financial services, including cash transfers

2. Identify Barriers: Highlight systemic, operational, and behavioral obstacles, with attention to diverse socio-economic backgrounds and remote areas

3. Develop Actionable Solutions: Translate research findings into practical recommendations for inclusive programme design

4. Strengthen Stakeholder Capacity: Provide guidance and tools for ethical, accessible engagement with persons with disabilities

5. Promote Collaboration: Engage government, financial service providers, OPDs, and implementing partners for long-term coordinated action

Key Activities

The selected OPD will lead and support several activities:

• Evidence Generation: Conduct research to map digital financial inclusion and identify challenges for persons with disabilities

• Actionable Plan Development: Provide recommendations for accessibility, usability, and tailored financial literacy initiatives

• Capacity Building:

  • Develop accessible guidance for Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)

  • Create digital financial literacy materials for persons with disabilities and caregivers

• Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Consult government institutions, financial service providers, and implementing partners

  • Host a final dissemination workshop to share findings and recommendations

Expected Outcomes

• Enhanced accessibility: Digital financial services designed for persons with disabilities

• Improved financial literacy: Inclusive materials and training for users and caregivers

• Inclusive programming: Practical guidance integrated into humanitarian and development initiatives

• Stronger collaboration: Coordination among stakeholders to sustain long-term disability inclusion in Nepal

Why This Initiative Matters

• Persons with disabilities often face significant barriers to formal financial services

• Inclusive digital finance promotes economic empowerment and equitable outcomes

• Evidence-based solutions ensure that cash assistance and livelihood programs are accessible to all beneficiaries

• Capacity-building ensures ethical and meaningful engagement with marginalized communities

Common Mistakes and Tips

• Neglecting diverse needs: Include persons with disabilities from different socio-economic backgrounds and remote areas

• Overlooking accessibility standards: All research tools and literacy materials must be inclusive and user-friendly

• Limited stakeholder engagement: Engage multiple actors early for sustainable impact

• Incomplete action planning: Recommendations should be practical, actionable, and aligned with WFP operations

FAQs

1. Who can participate?
Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) operating in Nepal.

2. Where will the study be conducted?
Primarily in the Madhesh region, with potential nationwide relevance.

3. What are the main objectives of the study?
Assess access barriers, identify challenges, and develop actionable solutions for disability-inclusive digital financial services.

4. What outputs are expected from the selected OPD?

• Evidence report on digital financial inclusion

• Actionable plan for inclusive programming

• Accessible guidance and digital financial literacy materials

• Stakeholder engagement reports and workshop outcomes

5. How will stakeholders be involved?
Through consultations, FGDs, KIIs, and a final dissemination workshop to ensure inclusive participation.

6. Why is this initiative important?
It strengthens equitable access to digital financial services, enhances livelihoods, and promotes economic empowerment for persons with disabilities.

7. How does this align with WFP and UN commitments?
The initiative is in line with UNDIS and the commitments made at the Global Disability Summit 2025, promoting inclusive humanitarian and development programming.

Conclusion

The WFP Disability-Inclusive Digital Finance Study in Nepal is a strategic effort to ensure that digital financial services, cash assistance, and livelihood programs are accessible, equitable, and inclusive for persons with disabilities. By combining research, actionable solutions, and stakeholder capacity-building, the initiative supports long-term disability inclusion in humanitarian and development contexts.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.