KATHMANDU, JANUARY 14 In a significant step toward advancing clean energy, strengthening food systems and improving child nutrition in Nepal, the Government of Finland and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed an agreement for additional funding of EUR 619,986 (estimated NPR 103.79 million) to scale up the Renewable Energy for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (RERAS) project funded by the Government of Norway and implemented in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP). The funding will expand Home-Grown School Feeding under the Government of Nepal's Mid-Day School Meals Programme to 427 schools across 10 municipalities of Bajura, Surkhet and Baitadi districts, by enhancing local crop productivity, expanding market access, and promoting the productive use of energy. Petri Puhakka, Ambassador of Finland to Nepal, and Kyoko Yokosuka, UNDP Nepal Resident Representative, signed the agreement on behalf of their organizations. 'Finland has established a free, nutritious and equitable school meal model that ensures all students have access to healthy food regardless of background. We, as co-chair of the Global School Meals Coalition, are proud to champion equitable access to nutritious school meals for all children. Building on this commitment, we are extending support to UNDP and working in close partnership with WFP,' said Petri Puhakka. 'This new initiative reflects strong Nordic cooperation to advance climate-resilient development in Nepal as our efforts draw on two active initiatives – Norway's RERAS project and Finland's Local Adaptation to Climate Change (LACC) project, implemented under a delegated agreement with the EU. Through these joint actions, Finland reaffirms its dedication to fostering sustainable, inclusive livelihoods and turning global pledges into concrete results on the ground.' The new project will scale up climate-resilient agriculture practices to ensure 30,000 students receive nutritious, locally sourced midday meals daily. It will also enhance access to clean energy for meal preparation by constructing or rehabilitating 10 climate-smart school kitchens, introducing Metallic Improved Cooking Stoves (MICS) in 40 schools, and Electric Induction Cooking Stoves (EICS) in 10 schools. The additional funding will further strengthen local food systems and support initiatives that link cooperatives and farmers' groups to schools, creating reliable markets for climate-resilient agriculture and nutritious meals for children.

'This partnership strengthens school nutrition by linking farmers and cooperatives to schools, by enhancing local productivity through climate-resilient agriculture, and by promoting clean energy solutions for cooking,' said Kyoko Yokosuka. 'By delivering healthy meals and empowering communities, UNDP remains committed to scaling inclusive and sustainable solutions together with the Government of Nepal, Norway, Finland, WFP, and local partners.' Riaz Lodhi, WFP Representative and Country Director, said that 'home-grown school meals are more than a nutrition intervention-they are a catalyst for systemic change. This approach not only ensures children receive nutritious meals every day, but also drives inclusive economic growth and strengthens food systems for the long term.' He further commended the Government of Nepal for championing home-grown school meals and for its plan to gradually scale up the programme nationwide, noting that this 'ensures the RERAS project supports a sustainable government-led vision and programme.' Since its launch in July 2023, the RERAS project has supported local governments in Karnali, Sudur Paschim, and Bagmati Provinces to improve food and nutrition security. By leveraging reliable and affordable renewable energy for production, irrigation, processing, storage, packaging, and marketing of locally grown farm products, the project directly benefits 10,000 households and improves access to clean energy for over 150,000 people, contributing to UNDP's global strategy to address multidimensional poverty.