Kathmandu, October 25

'A collaborative journey towards circularity is critical for a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future for all,' said Aanand Mishra, Founder and President of CREASION Nepal, after the completion of the one-year GreenShift project, which is a four-year project spanning 9 municipalities across the Bagmati, Madhes, and Lumbini provinces.

Over the first year, GreenShift was launched in three municipalities-Bardibas, Nepalgunj, and Lalitpur-partnering with schools, youth groups, waste management enterprises, and all tiers of government.

He said, 'Through a collaborative spirit, we can shift mindsets, behaviours, and local systems to embrace the principles of the circular economy.'

Moreover, Empowering Students for a Greener Tomorrow is critical, according to Mishra.

'Our Climate Smart School (CSS) program, a key pillar of GreenShift Nepal, has empowered over 6,000 students in 12 schools to become champions of sustainability,' he said. 'Through 95 green initiatives, young minds have been inspired to take action in their schools and communities, leading to significant behavioural changes. These initiatives have nurtured a new generation of eco-conscious leaders who are now at the forefront of environmental advocacy.'

He also emphasised that the youth are the torchbearers of Nepal's green future, and GreenShift Nepal is fuelling their potential.

'With a grant of NPR 600,000 distributed to three local youth groups-Bardibas Youth Network, Nhu: Pala Yuwa Khala, and NICE Nepalgunj-34 impactful community activities have been successfully implemented, directly reaching over 1,100 young people. From waste mapping to organising clean-up campaigns, these youth groups have left their mark by identifying 2,249 waste hotspots using the Tag Me app,' he added.

Similarly, at the local level, GreenShift Nepal appointed three Waste Smart Fellows-Samyog Dhakal in Bardibas, Awanish Adhikari in Lalitpur, and Om Shanti Thapa in Nepalgunj. Over seven months, these fellows worked closely with municipalities, training 79 local government officials on circular economy principles and leading to the creation of 'Waste Map Books' for each municipality.

'This vital resource is helping local governments gain new insights into waste accumulation patterns, fuelling more effective waste management strategies,' he said.

Additionally, GreenShift Nepal provided a total of NPR 12 million in grants to six private waste management and upcycling enterprises across the three provinces.

'These enterprises, supported with capacity-building training in health, safety, and institutional development, are now playing a crucial role in expanding the circular economy while ensuring the safety and well-being of both workers and communities,' he said.

'In Lumbini, GreenShift partnered with Balmiki Samaj, providing specialised training to 12 sanitation workers and 13 board members to improve their operational and financial management capacities. This partnership has strengthened the institutional foundation of sanitation workers in the province, paving the way for more efficient waste management practices.'

Likewise, GreenShift Nepal has developed three comprehensive waste management policies tailored to the unique needs of Lalitpur, Bardibas, and Nepalgunj. These policies, set to be formally adopted in the second year, are poised to drive significant improvements in waste management at the municipal level, establishing a framework for sustainable, long-term impact.

It is also going to launch its Climate Change and Circular Economy, designed to provide practical knowledge on climate change and circular economy concepts to students in grades 5 to 9.

'This valuable resource will guide students through the process of understanding and acting on sustainability principles, further embedding a culture of environmental responsibility in Nepal's younger generation,' he said.

He also highlighted that in just one year, GreenShift Nepal has made significant strides: in Bagmati Province, we reached 523 individuals and impacted 1,324 students. In Lumbini Province, we engaged with 391 individuals and reached 2,045 students. In Madhesh Province, we directly impacted 233 individuals and 2,792 students.

Furthermore, 79 local government officials have been trained across these provinces, equipping them with the knowledge to enact sustainable waste management practices.

'As GreenShift Nepal enters its second year, the project is set to expand its reach to Kohalpur Municipality in Lumbini, Bharatpur Metropolitan City in Bagmati, and Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City in Madhesh. The momentum is building, and the future looks brighter, with local ownership and policy clarity taking root, ensuring that these efforts continue to grow and flourish,' he said.

'With a firm belief that our actions today will create lasting change, Greenshift Nepal is not only tackling plastic waste but also transforming how Nepal approaches environmental challenges. Together, we are shaping a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for all.'