Nepal

Nepal is a small country in South Asia and home to many languages, cultures and peoples. Diverse Nepal has made progress in promoting human rights, but sustained efforts are still required to improve the position of marginalised groups. Nepal has played a significant role in KIOS programme work for many years, and it is currently the most important partner country for KIOS in Asia.

KIOS in Nepal

KIOS supports civil society organisations in Nepal that promote the human rights of women, youth, Dalits, sexual and gender minorities, indigenous peoples, and stateless individuals. KIOS works with organisations that help marginalised groups defend their rights, languages and land rights. The support is part of a broader multi-year programme by KIOS to reinforce human rights and civil society in Nepal.

KIOS grantees in Nepal:

• Defend the rights of minorities and raise awareness of constitutional rights.
• Promote teaching in pupils’ native language to improve equal access to quality education for all children.
• Support women’s rights and work to reduce gender-based violence.
• Influence legislation and practices to better reflect the rights guaranteed by the constitution.

Impacts of the human rights work:

• Legal guidance and training have been provided to marginalised groups.
• The visibility and participation of minorities in decision-making have been promoted.
• Concrete changes have been made to legislation and government practices.

Donate to support human rights work and human rights defenders in Nepal: https://kios.fi/en/lahjoita/

See our funding page for open calls: https://kios.fi/en/apply/

Page updated in June 2026.