Youth empowerment through voluntourism and youth entrepreneurship volunteer programme in Nepal
we delve into the transformative world of youth empowerment through voluntourism and a youth entrepreneurship volunteer programme in Nepal. We, at Volunteers Initiative Nepal, firmly believe in the power of the youth to bring about positive change in society. -Through our innovative and impactful voluntourism and entrepreneurship initiatives, we aim to create a dynamic platform where young minds can learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to the local communities in Nepal. This article serves as a comprehensive guide for aspiring volunteers and enthusiastic young entrepreneurs who wish to make a difference while exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Nepal.
For sustainable development, we need our youth working in the country. Through the youth entrepreneurship development project, we develop more entrepreneurs in Nepal and can use our renewable natural resources and generate more employment and revenue.
Young people are the pillars to a nation’s development. However, in Nepal, their capacity and potential remains highly untapped and the prevalence of unemployment is an ongoing phenomenon. A total of 40.3 percent of Nepal’s population of 28 million falls within the age category of 15-40 years. And, 45 percent of the youth are employed in agricultural sector. However, due to extensive working hours and minimal income they eventually opt for labour migration. An extraordinary number of 1500 young people migrate abroad from Nepal every day.
Unemployment among youth is very high in Nepal with 19.2 percent compared to the national unemployment rate of 2.7 percent. One of the significant reasons for such high youth unemployment rate is the limited labour market in Nepal. Most industries collapsed during the conflict time, 1996 to 2006. Nepal spends more than 40% of its GDP to import goods from abroad, especially from India and China. The country at the moment is running through the remittances we receive from our 5 million youth force working abroad, especially the Gulf and Malaysia.
The main goal of the Youth Entrepreneurship Project is to empower youth (16 to 30 years) to become entrepreneurs in Nepal. The project helps youth of various rural communities to enhance their knowledge and proficiencies in the field of entrepreneurship development. If renewable natural resources are used in an optimal way, the community may generate more revenue and can sustain themselves financially. Youth migration will decrease thanks to the availability of employment opportunities.
The youth Entrepreneurship development volunteer works alongside VIN staff to identify potential youth who would like to become an entrepreneur. The volunteer then conducts basic entrepreneurship building courses to screen the most passionate youth to become an entrepreneur. The entrepreneurship development volunteer will have to conduct a series of activities to make a final list of potential entrepreneurs. The volunteer will help develop business plan and provide mentoring while the entrepreneurship development phase.
During your youth entrepreneurship volunteer placement, you will live with a Nepali host family. This will enable you to become immersed in this rich culture and allow you to experience the environment from which today’s youth are trying to emerge. Youth entrepreneurship volunteers/ interns will typically carry out one or more of the following activities:
- Conduct research to identify the scope of entrepreneurship in local communities.
- Conduct baseline surveys to identity the potential youth entrepreneurs.
- Prepare youth entrepreneurship development business plans.
- Help VIN fundraise to run the entrepreneurship development project.
- Work directly with youth on their concerns, assessing their needs, listening to their difficulties and provide counselling sessions.
- Offer space for exchanging understanding and experience in the field of entrepreneurial culture among the participants.
- Propose, organize and administer entrepreneurship programs designed for young people.
- Identification of assets and challenges necessary to implement entrepreneurial enterprises.
- Collaborate with youth clubs and conduct workshops on entrepreneurship development.
- Analyse and identify probable benefits of entrepreneurial learning.
- Conduct workshops on business development plan including marketing plans, financial planning, record keeping.
- Facilitate vocational trainings (computer skills, teacher trainings etc.)
- Provide mentorship to the entrepreneurs.
Project Specific Skills
- Knowledge and skill on entrepreneurship development.
- Facilitation and training
- Research
- Proposal and business development
- Fundraising
- Basic computer skills
- Passion for working with youth
Desirable/ Common Skills
- Excellent communicator with good interpersonal skills
- A team player with good workethics
- Time management and leadership qualities
- Adaptable, flexible and able to work under pressure
- Accepting of different ideas and culture
- Problem solving: always be part of solutions than part of a problem
- Creative
- Positive attitude
Requirements
- Gender: Female / Male
- Minimum Age: 18+ years (16-17 years old person can volunteer but need to present parents’/ guardian’s consent letter)
- Language:English (Intermediate)
- Educational:High School Graduate
Your Experience/ Setting
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), you will receive a warm welcome and be transported to your hotel or hostel. If you are already in Nepal before the start of your placement, we can make alternative arrangements for you. You will undergo a comprehensive two- to three-day induction program after arrival. This induction will provide valuable information about your project and general information about the Nepalese language, culture, health, safety, and security. It is also an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers and interns who can become your companions for sightseeing and a source of support throughout your volunteer placement.
During the induction period, you will be accommodated in a budget hotel or hostel arranged by VIN. However, most of the VIN experience involves living with a Nepalese host family. While this immersion is essential for a complete experience, we understand that it can be challenging as you adapt to a new culture and adjust to facilities that may be more basic than you are accustomed to. Don’t worry; all our host families have experience accommodating volunteers, although their English-speaking abilities may vary. Also, you will have 24-hour access to our staff members for support and assistance throughout your placement.
Volunteers will be assigned to one of VIN’s working areas, which include Tarakeshor Municipality in Kathmandu, Taluwa, Thulachhap, and Bhadaure in Okhaldhunga, and Okharpouwa and Kaule in the Nuwakot district. While at the working site, volunteers are requested to bring their lunch box, water bottle, safety gear, face mask, and any other essential belongings. We advise volunteers to dress comfortably and modestly, preferably with long sleeves. Please get in touch with us for guidance and support if you want to raise project funds or collect project-specific resources. This will help the community a lot.
Schedule and Commitment
You will work five to six days a week, up to six hours per day. You may propose your preferred time and hours; however, the working time period will be dependent on the institution you have been placed. A minimum of 2 weeks’ time commitment is expected of a volunteer. The longer you commit; the better impact you can make. You should be willing to commit a certain amount of your free time and energy, show a lot of commitment and be a good listener. You are expected to work constructively and co-operatively maintaining good reputation and standards at all times. Volunteer should abide by relevant security concerns and access procedures. Moreover, you should be receptive and positive to performance appraisal, advice and feedback. Throughout your placement, you will have the full support of VIN. Your safety is our highest priority.
Your typical day might look like this:
| 07:00-08:00 | Tea/Leisure Time |
| 08:00-09:00 | Breakfast/Brunch (Nepali meal – Daal-Bhaat) |
| 09:00-10:00 | Preparation for sessions |
| 10:00-13:00 | Deliver training sessions/Workshops |
| 13:00-14:00 | Lunch (Packed lunch) |
| 15:00-17:00 | Deliver interactive sessions for youth on a cluster basis |
| 17:00-20:00 | Preparation for next day/Leisure time |
| 20:00-21:00 | Dinner (Nepali meal – Daal-Bhaat) |
You will receive a clear and concise on-the-job instructions, course of action, context of work and policies/strategies before your placement begins. You will be provided with ample of guidance and support throughout the placement with trainings / onboarding sessions incase necessary. You will be in a constant communication and regular check-in with the VIN volunteer coordinator. VIN aims to maintain a culture of continuous feedback between the volunteer supervisor at the placement to monitor the performance of the volunteer and ensure the project delivers desired outcomes.
In case of an emergency, you may contact one of our Volunteer Coordinators who will be available anytime for your assistance and support.
Click here to Learn more on how volunteering works
Mid and Long Term Volunteers:
2 weeks minimum stay- € 380
3 weeks – 480€
4 weeks – 580€ (after 4th week, for each additional week €95)
University Internships:
4 weeks minimum stay- € 680 (for each additional week – €105
Click here to Learn what’s included and excluded in our Fees Section
Click here to Learn recruitment process on how volunteering works
Our projects are open year-round, and our inductions begin on the first and third Mondays of each month. We would like to ask that volunteers arrive one day before the start of the induction. You can choose the duration of your participation based on your available time. However, so that you know, our volunteering placements are limited. We highly recommend booking your placement in advance to secure your placement. Click here to apply.
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