Projects

of PSD Nepal

On this page, you will find an overview of PSD Nepal’s ongoing and completed projects, showcasing the breadth and impact of our work over the years. From empowering rural communities and building schools to advancing environmental conservation and innovative plastic recycling, PSD Nepal’s initiatives reflect our commitment to education, health, sustainability, and social inclusion.             

The project summaries below highlight not only our achievements and the goals we have reached, but also the diverse sectors in which we work, from grassroots development to ecological stewardship and disaster recovery.         

Discover what PSD Nepal has accomplished, what continues today, and how each project brings us closer to a fairer and brighter future for Nepal.

 

Ongoing Projects

 

Summer Volunteering Program (2003 - ongoing) 

 

The Summer Volunteering Program is PSD Nepal’s longest-running and most impactful initiative, starting in 2003 and continuing to empower communities across Nepal today. In partnership with universities such as Oxford, Bristol, Aberdeen, and Bond, international volunteers join Nepali youth to transform rural villages in Baglung, Gorkha, Chitwan, Ilam, and Lalitpur.

The teams work side by side with local communities to build new school classrooms, install safe water systems, and construct vital sanitation facilities. Beyond infrastructure, volunteers lead creative learning activities, support health and hygiene education, and foster cultural exchange. Each summer, this program helps create sustainable, lasting change for students, families, and the future of Nepal.

More information: Summer Volunteering Program

 

 

Unforgotten Fund Project (2021 - ongoing)

 

PSD Nepal’s partnership with the Unforgotten Fund (USA) uplifts vulnerable children in Kathmandu and Lalitpur, especially those from waste picker families and orphaned backgrounds.

Through this ongoing project, 42 children now gain secure access to formal education, with equal opportunities for both girls and boys.

The program does more than provide school supplies and scholarships: It engages families in awareness sessions about hygiene, health, and children’s rights, fostering long-term support and brighter futures. By creating safe learning spaces and empowering communities, PSD Nepal is helping break cycles of hardship and opening doors to new possibilities for some of Nepal’s most at-risk children.

More information: Unforgetten Fund Project

 

Himalayan Plastic Removal (2009 - ongoing)

 

The Himalayan Plastic Removal Program in Langtang and Rasuwa is one of PSD Nepal’s flagship environmental initiatives, dedicated to clearing plastic waste from Nepal’s high mountain valleys. Through the innovative “1 bottle = 1 NPR” incentive scheme, locals and visitors are encouraged to collect and recycle thousands of PET bottles each month.

Recently, PSD Nepal established strategic waste segregation and recycling hubs in Syabru Besi, Mundu, and Kyanjin Gompa, dramatically improving regional waste management capacity.

Each month, over 40,000 bottles are collected and sent to Himalayan Plastic in Pokhara for recycling and upcycling. The project not only removes existing pollution but cultivates a new circular economy: Turning plastic waste into educational tools and useful products, while creating jobs and environmental awareness.

Ongoing awareness campaigns run alongside these efforts, educating communities, park authorities, and trekkers about recycling and sustainable stewardship. PSD Nepal’s work is setting new standards for environmental management in Nepal’s mountain tourism regions, safeguarding natural beauty, and empowering communities for the future.

More information: PSD Plastics

 

 

Tree Plantation Project (2018 - ongoing)

The PSD Nepal Tree Plantation Project, in partnership with CRED FOUNDATION UK, is part of the global vision to plant 1 trillion trees to combat climate change and carbon emissions. Focused on “high-energy environments” in Nepal, areas prone to landslides, erosion, and road-building impacts, the initiative restores stability and biodiversity through native species planting in the Baglung District (Sima Village) and Langtang National Park (Syabru Besi, Kyanjin, Surkha, and Sherpagoan). Beyond environmental restoration, the program strengthens local livelihoods by creating jobs, improving food security, and offering fruit harvests and income within 3-4 years. Each year, hundreds of international volunteers contribute through hands-on planting and fundraising for nurseries, tools, and saplings, transforming community action into lasting ecological resilience.

In July - August 2024, the Bhimapokhara, Baglung project united 57 UK students, 11 teachers, Nepali youth, and the World Challenge Program to plant 2,070 walnut, Sichuan pepper, avocado, and lemon seedlings across Doheri and Sima villages, reviving barren land and deepening cultural exchange. Continuing through 2025 and beyond, these collaborations expand reforestation efforts in both Sima and Langtang. Within Langtang National Park, one of Nepal’s oldest and most biodiverse regions, PSD Nepal’s work restores degraded forests, combats deforestation and soil erosion, and supports harmony between people and nature, making conservation a shared, community-driven mission.

Updates here: Tree Plantation Project

For those wanting to support or offset their own carbon footprint, PSD Nepal also runs the Carbon Offset Scheme with CRED Foundation. More information is available here:

• CRED Carbon Offset: https://cred.org.uk/carbon-offsetting/

• Donate: https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/psdcarbonoffsetting/donate

• By 2025, and with your support, PSD Nepal and its partners aim to scale up the movement - instilling hope for a greener, healthier, and more resilient Nepal.

 

Youth Media Education (2014 - ongoing)

 

PSD Nepal’s Youth Media Education Project, in partnership with the Institute for Collaborative Education (ICE), empowers young people in Nepal through creative exchange, media training, and cultural connection.

Each year, students and teachers from ICE join Nepali youth and educators for an immersive two-week program at Tri Ratna Co-operative School in Bungamati, Lalitpur. Together, they learn photography, creative writing, and storytelling, while also beautifying and improving their school environment.

The project culminates in a major exhibition, with hundreds of student photos on display, cultural performances, and public celebrations of creativity and cross-cultural friendship. Alongside student learning, the program also provides professional training for local teachers in media skills, leaving a lasting impact on both the school and the community.

More information: Youth Media Education (ICE)

 

 

 

International Mud Day (2009 - ongoing)

 

International Mud Day, founded by Bishnu H Bhatta, Director of PSD Nepal, is a global celebration of childhood, creativity, and the simple joys of play. Inspired by Bishnu’s vision to break down barriers and bring children of all backgrounds together, Mud Day encourages everyone - young and old - to reconnect with nature, embrace community, and share moments of laughter through the universal language of getting muddy.

Since its inception in Nepal, International Mud Day has grown into an annual event celebrated by thousands in countries around the world. Bishnu H Bhatta’s idea was simple yet profound: In the mud, all children are equal. The day is dedicated to fostering social inclusion, emotional well-being, and environmental awareness - inviting children with and without disabilities, from orphanages and families, from villages and cities, to play side by side as true equals.

Through joyful activities, singing, games, and creative mud play, International Mud Day strengthens community spirit and reminds us of the power of kindness, imagination, and togetherness.

Bishnu’s legacy lives on each 29th June, as PSD Nepal and global partners use Mud Day to spark friendships, support mental health, and promote a more caring, playful world for every child.

More information: International Mud Day

 

 

 

Health Camps (2004 - ongoing)

 

PSD Nepal’s health camps deliver vital medical care to rural and underserved communities throughout Nepal. In partnership with international and local medical volunteers, these camps offer free check-ups, dental services, eye care, gynecology    consultations, and essential medicines - making quality healthcare accessible for hundreds of families each year.                               

The teams work alongside Nepali doctors and nurses, sharing knowledge, providing treatment, and raising health awareness on topics like hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. By connecting medical professionals with remote villages, PSD Nepal’s health camps help bridge gaps in service, empower communities, and improve life for those who need it most.

More information: Health Camps