29 June 2023, Kathmandu Nepal

From June 22 to 26, 50 aspiring entrepreneurs gathered in Bardiya for a bootcamp organized by Youth Innovation Lab (YI-Lab). The bootcamp aimed to learn, unlearn, and relearn the essentials of entrepreneurship and starting sustainable, climate-smart businesses. It brought together 30 ecopreneurs trained through Skill Up! Program by Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development – CEAPRED (funded by Welthungerhilfe) and 20 Climate Smart Entrepreneurs from the Nepali Yuwa in Climate Action and Green Growth Project (funded by the European Union). Ecopreneurs were farmers with more than three years of experience of running a business while Climate Smart Entrepreneurs were youth in the early stage of starting a business. All the participants were young professionals, including women and marginalized groups from Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces. Trainers for the bootcamp were Kumar Paudel, Binaya Poudel, Suhrid Chapagain, and Hari Poudel.

The bootcamp started with an introduction of the Business Model Canvas (BMC), where participants learned the nine components of BMC that included the value proposition, customer segment, product value, key partners, activities and resources, revenue stream, and access to finance. Furthermore, a virtual session on the legal and technical aspects of entrepreneurship was also conducted.

Parallel sessions were conducted for Ecopreneurs and Climate Smart Entrepreneurs to cater to their specific needs. For the Ecopreneurs, the bootcamp provided technical support through sessions focused on crop calendars and farming techniques tailored for vegetable and goat farming. For the Climate Smart Entrepreneurs, the bootcamp provided young entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge and tools to succeed in business through the interactive sessions, from which they learned about the business model canvas and addressing customer pain points. Furthermore, participants were introduced to the strategies and tools essential for effective marketing in the digital era.

Entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey came together for combined sessions to learn and share. The Market Place Exhibition on the final day showcased climate smart entrepreneurs’ ideas and prototypes, while ecopreneurs shared their business experiences. The event also facilitated networking and potential collaborations for learning and growth.

About the Project

YI-Lab supports ecopreneurs in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces by offering business incubation services. The services include Bootcamp Training, Mentorship, and Exhibition for 30 selected youths trained by green colleges. These ecopreneurs were previously part of the Skill Up! program by CEAPRED, which provided vocational training and job opportunities to rural youth in Nepal. The program has benefited over 3200 youths in establishing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and promoting inclusive green economy and economic growth.

Nepali Yuwa in Climate Action and Green Growth project, funded by the European Union, aims to engage Nepali youth in promoting green growth, protecting the environment, and addressing climate change. It will be implemented over four years in Madhesh Province (2022), Karnali Province (2023), and Sudurpaschim Province (2024) by the Consortium Lead, YI-Lab, along with Consortium Partners: Restless Development, Centre for Research and Sustainable Development, Nepal CREASION, and Center for Disaster Management Studies (CDMS).

Contact Details: 

Youth Innovation Lab 

Bashidhar Marga, Kathmandu Nepal 

Phone: +977 9851115919 

Email: [email protected]   

Immediate Contact

Aruna Joshi, Program Associate (Communications)

Phone: +977 9841086000

Email: [email protected]