Kathmandu: The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nepal hosted a grant launch ceremony, celebrating the awarding of 11 new grants to Nepali civil society organisations totalling 6.68 million EUR on May 6.
The grants stem from two calls for proposals launched by the EU Delegation in March 2025: “Next Generation: Inspiring Nepal’s Youth Through Culture and Creativity. Digital and Sport” and “Supporting Inclusive Political Participation for LGBTQ+ and Persons with Disabilities in Nepal” both funded through EU thematic budget lines for Civil Society and Human Rights.
Eleven Grants, One Shared Ambition
The first call for proposals, totalling 5.1 million EUR, has resulted in seven grants supporting youth-led initiatives across three areas: three grants in culture and creativity, two in sport, and two in digital innovation. The second call, totalling 1.58 million EUR, has produced four grants focused on political participation and representation — two supporting LGBTIQ+ communities and two supporting persons with disabilities.
The 11 grants have been awarded to consortia bringing together 36 civil society organisations – from across Nepal and internationally – reflecting the breadth and diversity of civil society active in the country and its commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth.
A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Veronique Lorenzo, Ambassador of EU to Nepal, underlined the significance of the moment: “Today we celebrate as a community of friends, partners and changemakers. These grants arrive at exactly the right moment –with the right energy, for exactly the right people. Young people, LGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities– communities whose talent and potential are too often overlooked. That changes now.”
What the grants will deliver
Across the 11 grants, the funded projects will work to create safe and inclusive spaces for underrepresented communities, build skills, networks and digital tools, support youth entrepreneurship and job creation, strengthen evidence-based advocacy capacities of LGBTIQ+ organisations and organisations of persons with disabilities, and promote more inclusive political participation and representation at local and national level.
The EU and Nepal have maintained a partnership spanning five decades, driving progress across education, energy, and democratic governance. These 11 grants will deepen the EU continuous commitment to youth participation and inclusion of diversity in Nepal.
Civil society has played a central role in shaping this partnership. The 36 organisations represented in this launch event, and the young people and communities they will serve, embody the diversity, creativity and resilience of Nepali society — and the EU’s belief that a society moves forward when all its members can fully participate.
