Kathmandu: UNDP and Pokhara University signed a strategic Letter of Agreement under the Provincial and Local Governance Strengthening Programme (PLGSP), with support from the European Union, Norway, and Switzerland. The partnership aims to strengthen Pokhara University’s role as a leading center for research, knowledge, and innovation on federalism in Nepal.
Through this partnership, there will be an establishment of a federalism Policy Lab to generate evidence-based insights for provincial and local governments. Develop capacity-building programmes on fiscal federalism, GESI, and other governance priorities. Engage Youth Data Ambassadors to inspire the next generation of governance leaders and researchers.
Speaking at the event, Ajay Thapa, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences said, “This collaboration offers an exciting opportunity to establish the Policy Lab at the University, nurture a new generation of young researchers and policy practitioners, strengthen research-to-policy linkages, and produce practical knowledge that supports research-driven policymaking and development in Nepal.”
Similarly, UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Kyoko Yokosuka thanked the leadership of Pokhara University and highlighted the significance of evidence-based policymaking. She said, “Today’s signing ceremony marks a new milestone and a strategic investment in ensuring that policies are designed and implemented based on credible evidence and real-world experience. Strong partnerships between academia, governments at all levels, and development partners such as UNDP are essential to this process. This partnership provides a promising model that can be replicated in other provinces to strengthen evidence-informed governance and development outcomes.”
Speaking at the event, Bikash Dash National Programme Manager of PLGSP, underscored the role of youth in advancing evidence-based governance. He stated, “A unique feature of this initiative is the engagement of Youth Data Ambassadors. These graduate students will be engaged in field-based research across local governments, contributing to evidence generation and policy analysis while developing the skills needed to become the next generation of researchers and governance practitioners supporting Nepal’s federal journey.”
