The Samvardhan Project, funded by the European Union, Austrian Development Cooperation, and ADRA Austria, hosted the Financial Support to Third Party (FSTP) Grant Awarding Ceremony in Nepalgunj. The event marked a significant milestone in supporting local community-based enterprises in Banke and Bardiya Districts, with 2 crore 34 lakhs rupees ($164,301) allocated to 21 selected local enterprises.
These enterprises were chosen through a rigorous, multi-stage selection process that included public calls for Expressions of Interest (EOI), screening and scoring according to predefined criteria, field verification, capacity building training, and detailed evaluation of their proposal by a selection committee. The diversity and strength of the enterprises, coupled with available project funds, enabled full support without exceeding budgetary limits.
Grant Breakdown
| Types of Enterprises | Number of Enterprises | Enterprise Details | Grant Amount (NPR) | % of Budget |
| Ecotourism | 6 | Homestays Biological Park | 9,860,870 | 42.14 |
| Forest based | 8 | Leaf plate manufacturing Rattan and furniture making Multi-nurseries Natural fibre production Iron tool making | 8780,630 | 37.52 |
| Farm based | 6 | BEE keeping Mushroom farming Asparagus farming Vermicompost/Compost making Turmeric processing | 4,758,500 | 20.34 |
| Total | 21 | 23,400,000 | 100 |
The ceremony was chaired by Dr. Ghanshyam Bhatta, Program Director of ADRA Nepal, with Chief Guest Mr. Tapta Bahadur Poudyal, Chairperson of Raptisonari Rural Municipality.
Deputy Mayors, Ms. Sangita Subedi and Ms. Anita Chaudhary, Kohalpur Municipality, Banke and Madhuwan Municipality, Bardiaya respectively including Ward Chairpersons of different palikas and Chairperson of BEE Group attended as special guests.
The Samvardhan Project team, ADRA Nepal, BEE group, ANSAB Nepal and FECOFUN extend heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders, partners, and especially the committed entrepreneurs.
This initiative reflects a strong commitment to fostering sustainable local enterprises, contributing to inclusive economic development and environmental conservation in the region.
Notable comments from the Chief Guest and special guests:
- The FSTP selection process is a transparent, well-established selection system that selected the most needy entrepreneurs for this FSTP.
- The selected enterprises fit well with the biodiversity and conservation theme and green job creation in project areas.
- All guests (palikas) are committed to supporting technical and financial costs from their own regular budget, if required, to selected FSTPs.
- A few guests commented on ensuring a waste management and plastic recycling plan, especially in biological parks.
