Young People Empowerment Programme (World Fellowship Funding)

Implemented by Saksham Yuwa Nepal (National Award Office Nepal) between July 2018 and July 2021, the Young People Empowerment Programme was designed to expand access to The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award nationwide. Originally targeting 3,000 young people, the programme ultimately reached over 8,000—a testament to the strength of the model it built.

The initiative unfolded through 21 interconnected sub-projects in Year 2 and 23 in Year 3, organised around three pillars: Access, Reach and Impact. Activities ranged from school, parent and university orientations and provincial outreach in Jhapa and Pokhara, to a pilot with Child Workers in Nepal supporting girls from Balika Peace Home, and a Government School Pilot Project bringing the Award to underfunded public schools.

The programme also strengthened institutional foundations by rolling out the Online Record Book nationwide, training Award Leaders and volunteers, and supporting research that found meaningful improvements in participants’ motivation, skills, stress management and community contribution.