Activities

of PSD Nepal

This section of the website highlights activities that are not part of PSD Nepal’s main ongoing projects but rather smaller, parallel initiatives. These additional efforts reflect PSD Nepal’s continuous commitment beyond its core programs - including community actions, short-term support measures, and special events that promote local development and collaboration.

South and Southeast Asia Regional Research and Innovatino Hub for Climate Change, Health, and Equity

The South and Southeast Asia Regional Research and Innovation Hub for Climate Change, Health, and Equity was established to address the growing and interlinked challenges of climate change, public health, and social equity across the region. Recognizing that the climate crisis is also a health and equity crisis, the hub aims to strengthen regional scientific capacity, support locally led research and innovation, and promote collaborative, scalable solutions that improve community resilience and well-being.

The hub connects researchers, innovators, and policymakers from across South and Southeast Asia to share knowledge, exchange best practices, and co-develop evidence-based strategies. Its main goals include generating empirical evidence to inform policy, promoting Indigenous knowledge and community-driven adaptation, enhancing advocacy and capacity building, and facilitating access to global climate financing for vulnerable and low-income countries.

A key milestone in this initiative was the hybrid workshop “Connecting the Dots Between Climate Change and Health”, held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The event brought together global and regional experts, government representatives, and community implementers to explore solutions at the intersection of climate, health, and equity. The workshop concluded with the adoption of the “Kathmandu Commitments 2024”, a shared declaration to advance local solutions, empower vulnerable populations, engage youth leadership, and build resilient, climate-smart systems across the region.

The initiative is supported by a diverse founding committee representing countries across South and Southeast Asia. Dr. Suresh Tiwari from Nepal serves as the Member-Secretary of the Regional Hub, while PSD Nepal plays a key coordinating role as part of the Secretariat, represented by Mr. Bishnu Hari Bhatta. Their leadership and facilitation have been instrumental in organizing regional collaboration, connecting stakeholders, and promoting inclusive, locally led approaches to climate and health challenges.

Through these efforts, the Regional Hub envisions a future of shared knowledge, strong partnerships, and transformative innovation - working collectively toward a healthier, more equitable, and climate-resilient South and Southeast Asia. The hub welcomes new collaborators, institutions, and communities to join in identifying research gaps, sharing innovations, and building joint actions for sustainable regional development.

Kathmandu Commitment-2024

We are committed to:

Enable the notion of local solutions that address specific regional climate and health challenges, utilizing Indigenous knowledge and grassroots innovation for sustainable interventions, tangible outcomes, and lasting impacts to improve population health and well-being.
Actively involve people living in the most climate vulnerable communities in designing, implementing, and evaluating climate and health programs ensuring their optimal participation and empowerment.
Include the most impacted populations, such as women, children, people with chronic illnesses, and Indigenous communities ensuring their voices direct our climate and health initiatives.
Engage, educate, empower, and drive young leadership for sustaining solutions to the future.
Adopt and develop advanced methodologies that foster climate-smart, scalable solution to the intertwined issues of climate change, health, and equity.
Devise policies and programs, informed by evidence and community input to engage governments and stakeholders in meaningful policy actions for sustainable development. Harmonize a coherent climate-change and health policy and advocate for climate financing at national level.
Build strategic multidisciplinary, inter-sectoral, and transdisciplinary collaborations in the region to collate knowledge, resources, and innovations, tackling the multifaceted challenges of climate change and health disparities.
Strengthen the resilience of South and Southeast Asia’s communities and institutions through targeted capacity building, enabling informed actions.
Focus on actionable and measurable outcomes within the themes of climate, health, and equity, aligning with global sustainability goals and metrics.
Evaluate, refine and adapt the South and Southeast Asia regional hub approaches to meet the unique needs of the dynamic challenges of climate change, health, and social inequities in the region.

Parvat Manthan Regional Conclave - New Delhi, December 2024

In December 2024, PSD Nepal’s Executive Director, Mr. Bishnu Bhatta, participated in the Parvat Manthan Regional Conclave, held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi and organized by NIUA’s Sanitation Capacity Building Platform (SCBP). The regional forum brought together Himalayan region stakeholders — from government, academia, NGOs, private sector, and communities - to discuss integrated water resource management, equitable sanitation, waste management, municipal finance, and climate resilience in mountain towns.
During his role as delegate, Mr. Bhatta shared PSD’s work in Himalayan hill regions - particularly on climate resilience, water and sanitation infrastructure, and community-led solutions. The conclave emphasized that sustainable mountain development must account for local context, governance, resources, and innovation.
External coverage underscored the urgency of addressing water and waste challenges in mountain settlements, calling for stronger financing, policy support, and cross-border collaboration.

PSD Nepal at COP28 - Dubai, December 2023

Strengthening Climate and Health Resilience in the Himalayas

PSD Nepal was proudly represented at COP28 by our Executive Director, Mr. Bishnu Bhatta, who spoke on the critical linkages between climate-change-driven disasters, healthcare, and rural resilience in Nepal.

At both the Nepal Country Pavilion and the WHO Health Pavilion, Mr. Bhatta highlighted PSD Nepal’s field work in Langtang Valley (Rasuwa), emphasizing the importance of local solutions in addressing climate vulnerability and health inequities. Each session drew audiences of over 1,500 participants.

Throughout COP28, PSD engaged in several high-impact events, including:

“Preserving Health and Resilience in the Himalayas: Nepal’s Climate Odyssey” — a side event hosted by PSD at the Nepal Pavilion.
Participation in the Monash University Pavilion session on Digital Health Solutions for Climate Change Resilience.
Contribution to Climate Medicine Day at the Entertainment + Culture Pavilion, where PSD’s Dr. Suresh Tiwari discussed integrating research, equity, and policy for climate-health adaptation.

In addition, PSD’s plastics recycling and upcycling initiatives were featured as innovative examples of circular-economy practices that link environmental sustainability with community well-being.

Vaccine Trial

Introduction: Since its inception in 2002, Partnership for Sustainable Development (PSD) Nepal has been at the forefront of poverty alleviation, sustainable development, and community empowerment within Nepal. One notable initiative involves PSD's active participation in a crucial study implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), focusing on a parallel-group, Phase III, multi-stage study to assess the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of two SARS-CoV-2 Adjuvanted Recombinant Protein Vaccines.

Methodology: The project employs a strategic methodological approach to achieve its objectives. Activities include community engagement sessions, intervention meetings with key stakeholders, local influencer and community group sessions, managing the transport of healthy volunteers, meticulous record-keeping, and the submission of progress reports.

Summary of Activities: Commencing on November 23, 2021, the Sanofi Pasteur partnered with IVI Covid-19 vaccine program faced initial challenges due to an IRT server problem, resulting in a delayed start. However, the campaign gained momentum on November 30, 2021, with a smooth vaccination process. Out of 40 participants on the first day, 35 provided consent, showcasing high community interest.

As of December 12, 2021, a total of 751 individuals enrolled for the vaccine trial procedure. Notably, public health engagement activities were organized in various locations, including health care centers, health posts, rural municipalities, brick factories, and educational institutions.

The study, planned for eight visits, is currently in progress with the final visit underway. The titled research holds immense significance in advancing our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 Adjuvanted Recombinant Protein Vaccines, contributing to the global fight against COVID-19.

Conclusion: PSD Nepal's dedication to community well-being and its pivotal role in the COVID-19 vaccine research exemplify the organization's commitment to sustainable development. This initiative not only contributes to global vaccination efforts but also underscores the importance of community involvement in cutting-edge research. As the project continues to unfold, PSD Nepal remains dedicated to empowering communities and fostering a safer, healthier future for all.

2nd Progress Report

Introduction: Since 2002 AD, PSD Nepal has been active in addressing poverty alleviation program, Sustainable development and empowerment of communities within Nepal. Organization of social mobilization campaign for the study implemented by IOM in the study entitled ‘A parallel group, phase III, multistage, modified double blind, multi-armed study to assess the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of two SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for prevention against Covid-19 in adults 18 years of age and older.’ PSD has undertaken to ensure a safe, community-centered approach within research study norms when conducting community engagement activities, appropriate intervention meeting with key stakeholders, local influencer and community group session, manage transport of healthy volunteers, record keeping of events and submit progress report. Social mobilization and vaccine sensitization refers to the process through which communities obtain, and achieve vaccination knowledge to provoke for vaccination campaign. It is commonly used approach to help strengthen community capacity to effect improvement in community health.

Objectives of the Assignment: The objective of the organization of social mobilization campaign for the study implemented by IOM is to ensure community engagements activities within study norms to promote participation for clinical research and establishment of appropriate working mechanism.

Ensure a safe, community-centered approach and within the research study norms when conducting community engagement activities
Organize appropriate interventions including meeting with key stakeholders. Advocacy meetings with local influencer, and community group sessions
Manage transportation of the healthy volunteers to the screening sites for initial 2 visits
Proper record keeping of the events and submit progress report
Provide the invoice, financial documents and reports

Methodology: The project will utilize an appropriate method approach to be able to answer the objectives. The activities performed along with the purpose and process is shown in the below.

Summary of Activities undertaken:

The following are the highlights of key progress made so far on the social mobilization and sensitization campaign for the study implemented by IOM:

After a long wait, the Sanofi Pasteur partnered with IVI (International Vaccine Institute) Covid-19 vaccine program finally commenced on 23^rd November, 2021. However, due to the IRT server problem, out of many participants only one was able to get vaccination on that particular day.

With a gap of one week, the vaccination finally began smoothly on 30^th November, 2021. On the very first day we received a huge number of people keen to participate in the vaccine trial program. Out of the 40 people who arrived at the trail center, 35 provided their consent to participate in the trail program (including one participant who withdrew his/her consent later in the procedure). While the remaining 5 people decided not to vaccinate once they received detailed information from the doctors and nurses at Teaching Hospital.

As of 12^th Dec, 2021, 523 people have arrived at the trail center. Among these only 341 people completed the vaccine trail procedure as 15 people had to withdraw the consent for various reason such as having a positive result in the Urine Pregnancy Test, high blood pressure etc.

The mean age of the participants who completed the vaccine trail procedure was 33.8 years. People from 20 districts participated in the program.

A number of public health engagement activities were organised to convince people to take part in the vaccine trial program. Meetings are conducted with following areas:

Primary Health Care Center, Mulpaani, Kathmandu
Primary Health Care Center, Gokarna, Kathmandu
Primary Health Care Center, Tokha, Kathmandu
Primary Health Care Center, Tadi, Nuwakot
Primary Health Care Center, Tarkeshwor, Kathmandu
Health Post, Tarakeswor rural municipality, Nuwakot
Health Post, Dhapakhel, Lalitpur
Two visit done with Bidur Rural municipality village
four Brick factories in Bungamati
Two Brick factories in Pharping
Two Brick factories in Satungal
Two Brick factories in Harisiddhi
Two Brick factories in Bhaktapur
Several colleges
Kapan to meet workers who have been working in construction

Hariyo Ban Research

The Hariyo Ban “Green Forest” Project in Nepal aimed to strengthen the connections between people, forests, and climate through inclusive, community-led conservation and climate adaptation efforts. With a focus on gender equality, social inclusion, and local empowerment, the project supported the establishment of Community Learning and Action Centres (CLACs) to help marginalized groups actively engage in decision-making and build resilience against climate change.

As part of this important initiative, Partnership for Sustainable Development (PSD) Nepal collaborated with the Reach Alliance, University of Toronto, to support field research on the sustainability and impact of the CLACs. Under the leadership of Mr. Bishnu Hari Bhatta, PSD Nepal played a key role in facilitating research activities in Kathmandu and Chitwan Districts, assisting with local coordination, community engagement, and cultural translation throughout the study.

PSD Nepal’s contribution ensured meaningful participation from local communities and helped the international research team gain a deeper understanding of the Nepalese social, cultural, and environmental context. This collaboration highlighted PSD Nepal’s ongoing commitment to promoting locally led development, empowerment, and climate resilience across Nepal.

Workshop Summary Report on Microbe Literacy Initiatives Nepal

The Microbe Literacy Initiative (MLI) Nepal was launched to increase public understanding of microorganisms and their role in human health and disease. Recognizing that awareness of microbes can significantly improve hygiene, disease prevention, and community health, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and everyday practices, especially among underprivileged communities.

Between August 25 and September 10, 2022, a total of 18 interactive workshops were conducted across Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur districts - specifically in Manohara, Godavari, and Bishnumati. Each session engaged local residents in hands-on learning, where participants used microscopes to observe microorganisms and learn about their impact on health and sanitation. The workshops encouraged active participation and discussion, helping communities understand how simple hygiene practices and awareness of microbes can lead to healthier living environments.

The workshops were conducted under the supervision of Dr. Pradip Gyanwali, with strong contributions from co-investigators, trainers, and social mobilizers. PSD Nepal played a crucial coordinating and implementation role in the program. Mr. Bishnu Hari Bhatta and Dr. Suman Pant led the educational sessions, guiding participants through demonstrations, facilitating community discussions, and ensuring that the scientific content was communicated in accessible and culturally relevant ways. Their efforts helped transform the workshops into interactive, empowering learning experiences.

Following the enthusiastic response from participants, the MLI team plans to expand the program to more rural areas beyond the Kathmandu Valley. Continued follow-up surveys and community engagement will help assess the long-term impact of microbe literacy on health awareness and behavioral change. Through such initiatives, PSD Nepal continues its mission to promote science-based community education and sustainable health practices across Nepal.

Evaluating Large Language Models’ Responses to Sexual and Reproductive Health Queries in Nepali

As the use of artificial intelligence expands globally, Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT are increasingly being used to answer personal and sensitive questions — including those related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Recognizing both the potential and the risks of this new technology, a collaborative research team from Visible Impact (Visim), Diyo.AI, Nepal Applied Mathematics and Informatics Institute for Research (NAAMII), and Partnership for Sustainable Development (PSD) Nepal conducted an innovative study to evaluate how well LLMs respond to SRH-related questions in the Nepali language.

Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this research introduced the LEAF Framework (LLM Evaluation Framework) - a comprehensive, multi-criteria evaluation tool designed to assess AI-generated responses not only for accuracy, but also for language quality, cultural relevance, usability, safety, and confidentiality. Over 9,000 participants across Nepal contributed more than 14,000 queries on SRH topics such as menstruation, contraception, pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS. Their conversations with ChatGPT models were carefully analyzed by SRH experts using the LEAF criteria.

Findings showed that while 62% of responses were accurate, only 35% met all safety and usability standards - highlighting significant gaps in AI-generated health advice, especially in low-resource languages like Nepali. Despite these challenges, the study demonstrated that LLMs have the potential to serve as scalable, accessible tools for SRH information, provided they are improved for cultural sensitivity and user protection.

Within the project, PSD Nepal played an essential role in community coordination, participant engagement, and data collection, ensuring representation from diverse groups and local contexts. Mr. Bishnu Hari Bhatta and Ms. Suvekshya Sitaula from PSD Nepal made key contributions to field facilitation, data validation, and local outreach, bridging the gap between technical research and community realities. Their involvement helped make the study both ethically sound and contextually relevant.

This pioneering research represents one of the first large-scale evaluations of AI-based chat systems for SRH in Nepali. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, technologists, and public health experts on how to develop safe, inclusive, and culturally appropriate digital health tools for the future.