Nepal

On 11 March 2025, Swisscontact hosted a ‘Sharing and Review Event’ to mark the closure of the Step Up Project (2021–2024). Hon. Sharat Singh Bhandari, Minister, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS) attended the event as the Chief Guest, joining a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from local government, the private sector, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, and the International Labour Organization (ILO). This event provided an opportunity to reflect on the project’s achievements, share lessons learnt, and identify ways to sustain its impact with the public representatives on how policies can be more inclusive for young people to increase their employability and support their entrepreneurial vision.

With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Swisscontact and the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security (MoLESS) for the nationwide expansion of Shramsansar, an integrated Labour Market Information System, Nepal is set to achieve a major milestone in the development of its labour market. The MoU was formalised on 10 March during the Fifth National Labour and Employment Conference 2025, marking a crucial step towards the digitalisation of Nepal’s public employment services.

Nepal's fishery sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by increasing production and rising demand for fish as a key source of nutrition. Over the past few decades, the country has experienced steady growth in fish farming, with total production rising from 62,897 tonnes (62,897 metric tons) in 2016/17 to 83,623 tonnes (83,623 metric tons) by 2020/21. However, challenges such as limited access to quality fish feed and a lack of awareness among farmers persist, hindering the sector’s full potential. Against this backdrop, initiatives like the UK-funded CASA Programme, implemented by Swisscontact in Nepal, are playing a crucial role in equipping smallholder farmers with the knowledge and resources to enhance productivity. Among the many success stories emerging from these efforts is that of Pushpa Bhattarai, a dedicated fish farmer from Chapiya Village, who is reshaping her livelihood through modern fish-feeding practices.