Advancing Inclusive Governance.
Bridging Youth, Women, and Policy.
Project Abhaya is a youth-led civil society organisation operating at the intersection of democratic governance, gender-responsive policy, and civic technology. Working across Nepal's federal, provincial, and local governance architecture, we build the institutional capacity of young people and women to participate as decision-makers, policy actors, and rights holders.
Young people aged 16–40 make up the largest demographic group in Nepal, representing the nation's energy and future.
Despite their numbers, young voices are missing from parliament. We are bridging this critical gap in democracy.
See our impact report10,500+
Participants Engaged
47
Districts Reached
7
Active Provinces
1M
Engaged Through Advocacy
A Democratic Deficit That Demands Structural Response
Nepal's constitutional framework enshrines the principles of inclusive representation - yet the translation of legal mandate into substantive political participation remains incomplete. Young people aged 16–40 constitute over 40 percent of the national population, yet hold fewer than three percent of seats in the Federal Parliament. Women candidates continue to face entrenched structural, financial, and social barriers to political candidacy, particularly at sub-national levels.
Project Abhaya works to close this gap - not through symbolic inclusion, but through evidence-based programming, institutional partnerships, and the development of governance tools that make participation accessible, informed, and sustainable.
Our Approach to Systemic Change
Capacity-building programmes that equip youth and women with the competencies required for effective engagement in formal governance processes - from local ward-level decision-making to federal legislative advocacy.
National Presence Across Nepal's Federal Structure
Operating across all seven provinces - Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim - with active institutional partnerships in 85 municipalities and 47 districts. Our programmatic footprint spans both the Hills and Terai, with targeted interventions in underserved constituencies in Lumbini, Sudurpashchim, and Madhesh provinces.
7 Provinces
Active Presence
47
Districts
120+
Local Networks
85
Municipalities
7
Provinces
Our Journey
From Ideas to Impact
From classroom ideas to shaping national policy
Founding of Project Abhaya
Founding of Project Abhaya through civic education workshops in secondary institutions in Kathmandu Valley.
Founding of Project Abhaya
Founding of Project Abhaya through civic education workshops in secondary institutions in Kathmandu Valley.
Advocacy School Expansion
Expansion of the Advocacy School model; development of the first iteration of civic leadership handbooks grounded in Nepal's constitutional rights framework.
Advocacy School Expansion
Expansion of the Advocacy School model; development of the first iteration of civic leadership handbooks grounded in Nepal's constitutional rights framework.
Formalisation & Policy Engagement
Formalisation as a registered civil society organisation; launch of policy hackathon methodology and inaugural engagement with Members of Parliament.
Formalisation & Policy Engagement
Formalisation as a registered civil society organisation; launch of policy hackathon methodology and inaugural engagement with Members of Parliament.
Scale-up & Digital Tools
Programme scale-up to 47 districts; establishment of MOUs with municipal governments in Sudurpashchim, Madhesh, and Lumbini; engagement with UN Women Nepal. Launch of digital civic tools; residential leadership institutes; national-level policy dialogues with parliamentary committees.
Scale-up & Digital Tools
Programme scale-up to 47 districts; establishment of MOUs with municipal governments in Sudurpashchim, Madhesh, and Lumbini; engagement with UN Women Nepal. Launch of digital civic tools; residential leadership institutes; national-level policy dialogues with parliamentary committees.
Innovation & Global Partnerships
AI governance programming; electoral participation research; bilateral partnerships with NDI, FYL, and international civil society actors.
Innovation & Global Partnerships
AI governance programming; electoral participation research; bilateral partnerships with NDI, FYL, and international civil society actors.
Voices of Change
Hear Our Story
Before Abhaya, I did not know how to speak up in public spaces. Today, I stand confidently at public forums, speaking not just for myself, but representing thousands of women whose voices were once unheard.
Sita K.
Rural Municipality Vice-Chair
Before Abhaya, I didn't know how to speak in a meeting. Now, I am confidently speaking in Parliament, representing thousands of women who were once voiceless.
Sita K.
Rural Municipality Vice-Chair
Our programs bridge the gap between learning and doing. We turn civic education into real-world impact that reaches every corner of Nepal.
Kritika S.
Program Lead
Building strong support networks that uplift individuals and strengthen the collective fabric. Together we are redefining what leadership looks like.
Nishtha S.
General Secretary
Empowering youth and women to lead starts with creating spaces where every voice is heard and every idea can grow.
Mamta S.
Executive Director
Our Partners
Engage With Our Work
Project Abhaya invites civil society organisations, government partners, bilateral agencies, researchers, and individual practitioners to engage with our programmes, tools, and advocacy platforms.