The two-day National-Level Validation, Cross-Learning & Coalition Building Workshop (26–27 November 2025), jointly organized by Natural Resource Conflict Transformation Center-Nepal (NRCTC-N) and Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Research and Development (CIPRED) with support from Collaborating for Resilience (CoRe), concluded successfully.
The workshop brought together more than 40 leaders and representatives from municipalities, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, community networks, civil society groups, and local governments. Key participants included Mayor Tej Bahadur Bhat (Madhuban Municipality), Chairperson Nirmal Rana (Laljhadi Rural Municipality), Customary Tharu leaders (Bhalmansa and Barghars), representatives of Mukta Kamaiya Samaj and district networks from Kanchanpur and Bardiya. Organizations represented included Green Foundation, CSRC, HIMAWANTI, DANAR, COFSUN Nepal, FECOFUN, Dura Sewa Samaj, Focus on Indigenous Girls (FIG), Nepal Maini Sheng, INOWLAG, Gohink Foundation, Tharu Kalyankari Sabha, and many others.
Through insightful presentations, lively group discussions, and collective exercises, participants explored critical questions shaping the future of natural resource governance in Nepal. They identified shared goals, practical strategies, and formed a committed 7-member coalition team to sustain collaboration and dialogue at the national level. This coalition plays a vital role in uniting diverse perspectives particularly Community and Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge and governance systems to amplify momentum, transform natural resource conflicts, and secure resource rights for marginalized communities.
The workshop marked a powerful step toward inclusive, bottom-up partnerships that move beyond traditional top-down approaches and ensure meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in natural resource governance.
