4-H around the world: Nepal – Part 1 - 4-H Global & Cultural Education

4-H around the world: Nepal – Part 1

Janis Brinn<brinn@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension, and Lok Raj Awasthi, 4-H Nepal/Asia 4-H Network - October 31, 2024

Let’s explore 4-H in Nepal and what it looks like.

NYAES2018 “I am Future Farmer”. All images courtesy of Lok Raj Awasthi. — 4-H youth at NYAES2018 “I am Future Farmer.” All images courtesy of Lok Raj Awasthi.

The Michigan State University Extension series exploring 4-H around the world continues. In 2017, you were introduced to the “4-H around the world” series article exploring 4-H in Nepal and what it looked like before the April 2015 earthquake. Did you know 4-H existed in Nepal? Did you know they have a very special shaped flag? The flag of Nepal is the only national flag that is not rectangular. Did you know there is a 4-H Nepal Facebook page? Co-author of this article, Lok Raj Awasthi (Loku), president of 4-H Nepal/Asia 4-H Network, shares about 4-H in Nepal in a two-part series.

Introduction of 4-H Nepal

4-H is one of the largest youth organizations in the world, and it actively engages in youth empowerment and agricultural education. 4-H is registered in 51 countries, including Nepal. It was registered in Nepal in 2014. 4-H Nepal has activities in agriculture, entrepreneurship and policy advocacy on youth empowerment, democracy and good governance. 4-H Nepal advocates for youth leadership, life-skill development for youth, and youth participation in strengthening democracy, good governance, peace and sustainable development. 4-H Nepal contributes to ensuring the participation of youth and people from marginalized and vulnerable communities.

4-H Nepal focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, and their implementation in Nepal. The campaign aims to provide youth with intentional, high-quality learning experiences that promote positive interactions among adults and peers, sustained and active participation, and opportunities to make meaningful contributions to the country's development.

Objectives

To promote positive youth development and a youth-adult partnership approach in each development program to ensure youth participation and empowerment.
To promote youth awareness and capacity-building initiatives to make them self-reliant and self-sufficient.
To encourage youth, marginalized and vulnerable communities to develop agro-entrepreneurship to promote producing and consuming healthy, hygienic and organic food items.
To empower youth to be competitive and capable by providing them with all the required skills, innovation and technology. To make youth more accountable and responsible towards their duties to society and the nation by promoting civic education and morality.

Experiential learning takes a "learning by doing " approach. The major objectives in the development of youth in 4-H are: i) Positive Youth Development (PYD), ii) Youth-Adult Partnership (YAP), iii) Inspiring, Empowering and Engaging (IEE), and iv) Farming Therapy.

Summary of work experience

To ensure the participation of youth and people of marginalized and vulnerable communities from grassroots to national level activities, 4-H Nepal is partnering with the government of Nepal, national and international non-governmental organizations, the private sector, civil society organizations, networks and alliances. 4-H Nepal is a trusted partner. They have 10 years of intensive experience working with provincial governments and are familiar with the operations of local governments.

Organizational development

Annual audit and renewal

4-H Nepal has been conducting its annual audit since its inception. The registration of 4-H Nepal is renewed with concerned government offices yearly. It is simultaneously registered in the Social Welfare Council, Nepal and the Kathmandu District Administration Office.

Staff capacity building

4-H Nepal has been enhancing the capacity of its staff with regular trainings. 4-H Nepal has its provincial coordinators in all seven provinces of Nepal ,while it has its sister wings in Lamjung Campus, popularly known as IAAS wing. Training has been given to staff, volunteers and board members as needed. Exposure visits to the board members were organized to Thailand twice, South Korea, Canada and the U.S.

Award and facilitation

The 4-H Nepal chairperson, Lok Raj Awasthi, was awarded the Rastriya Yuba Pratibha Puraskar (National Youth Talent Award), recognizing his contribution to advocacy regarding youth and their rights. The National Youth Talent prize carries a purse of 50,000 Nepalese rupees. The Ministry of Youth and Sports conferred the award.

Top youth non-government organization (NGO) recognition

The Santosh Foundation selected 4-H Nepal among 75 top youth NGOs of Nepal. The Santosh Foundation prepared individual digital profiles of 75 NGOs by incorporating interviews, successes, best practices and teachings of the organizations. Profiles were aired from NTV Plus.

4-H Nepal organizational structure

At the top level of 4-H Nepal is an executive committee that works with the International Advisory Board and National Advisory Board. The executive committee oversees 4-H Wings, office staff and general members. Underneath 4-H Wings are members and volunteers; general members also have volunteers.

Nepal structure.png — 4-H Nepal organizational structure

Policy advocacy and professionalism

The 4-H Nepal has promoted agro-entrepreneurship through capacity development events, advocacy efforts and sharing events among policymakers, government agencies, social workers, youth and farmers. 4-H Nepal contributes expertise and technical support for the agriculture strategy plan to four municipalities. By addressing various challenges and promoting innovative practices, the municipalities aim to improve the livelihoods of local farmers, ensure food security and contribute to the overall economic growth of the regions. Recognizing the critical role of nutrition in ensuring the health and well-being of their populations, 4-H Nepal supported the Janaki rural municipality and Thakurbaba municipality in formulating their nutrition policy.

Digital talk show in COVID-19

4-H Nepal conducted a digital talk show via Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic. 4-H Nepal organized 19 episodes with experts on what can be done in Nepal during this pandemic. The role of expertise was to enlighten the possible harmful effects of the pandemic, the opportunities and responsibilities as citizens, the government’s role, how to handle the situation and the experience of youth involved in agriculture.

Part1 - 3. Digital Talk Show.jpg — Digital talk show: COVID-19 promotion

4-H Nepal’s international experience

Over the last decade, 4-H Nepal has actively engaged in the global arena (U.S., Canada, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand), participating in various international conferences dedicated to youth development, agriculture and community empowerment. These experiences have been instrumental in shaping the organization's trajectory and impact. As 4-H Nepal continues to evolve and make a mark on the global stage, its participation in international conferences remains a cornerstone of its commitment to fostering positive change and sustainable development.

4-H Nepal and the Asia 4-H Network are organizing the fifth 4-H International Green Summit from November 23-27, 2025, in Kathmandu, Nepal. They are looking for international partners and Michigan 4-H has been warmly invited to Nepal in 2025!

Fifth 4-H International Green Summit

Look for 4-H around the world: Nepal - Part 2 and read about Nepal's gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), democracy and civic education, youth and agriculture entrepreneurship, youth development and volunteerism.

If you would like to learn more about Nepal, visit the 4-H Nepal website, email info@4hnepal.com, or call +977-9818822539. If in Nepal, visit their office at Anamnagar-29, Sahayog Marg, and Kathmandu, Nepal.

4-H is around the world! Michigan 4-H is excited to continue exploring 4-H globally, nationally and internationally! To follow this MSU Extension article series exploring 4-H around the world, refer to the list of other articles below.

MSU Extension and the Michigan 4-H Youth Development program help to prepare youth as positive and engaged leaders and global citizens by providing educational experiences and resources for youth interested in developing knowledge and skills in these areas. For more information about 4-H learning opportunities and other 4-H programs, contact your local MSU Extension office. Visit the Michigan 4-H International Exchange Programs for information on hosting exchange students or traveling. Other global educational opportunities can also be found on the MSU Extension Global and Cultural Education webpage.