Nepal Social Business launches programme for rural areas

KATHMANDU, SEP 24 - Nepal Social Business (NSB), a joint initiative of Chaudhary Foundation in association of Lions Clubs International, on Tuesday launched a social business programme aimed at promoting entrepreneurships at the grassroots level in rural Nepal. In the first phase, the NSB will run the programme in Jumla district with focus on promotion of agriculture, food, informal education and eco-tourism.

“We have planned to expand our programme in 26 districts having higher poverty level within the next five years,” said NSB Chairman Binod Chaudhary, speaking at the launching ceremony on Tuesday. “The joint move of Chaudhary Foundation and Lions Club International (LCI) has targeted to create more than 5,000 jobs in the rural areas over that period through promotion of social businesses.”

The Chaudhary Group has committed to invest $1 million for the programme, while Lions Club International will be contributing $30,000 to an approved project in the rural areas.

Social business is an approach where task of business and non-government organisation (NGO) is linked together and the social issues are addressed through economically sustainable way.

On the occasion, NSB CEO Nirvana Chaudhary said the programme had been launched to push economic activities in the rural areas of the country. “Our aim is not just to teach people how to fish, but to revolutionalise the whole production business of Nepal,” he said. “Through the social business, we are now incorporating the sustainable economic activities in rural areas.” Since the last two decades the foundation has been making contributions in the  social sectors, mainly in education, health, sports and environment.

LCI President Joe Preston said they would conduct the social business programmes based on the need of the society. LCI has 1.35 million members from over 200 countries. Through its 46,000 clubs spread across the globe, it has been supporting the programmes related mainly with the development of social sectors.

Source: The Kathmandu Post