GreenShift Nepal, a four-year EU-funded project aimed at promoting a circular economy and tackling plastic waste, celebrated the completion of its first year with a two-day Annual Review & Experience Sharing program on October 24, 2024. Organized by the project consortium partners – CREASION, Restless Development, and Youth Innovation Lab, the event brought together stakeholders from diverse project initiatives, including Climate Smart Schools, Youth Groups, Private Waste Enterprises, and Waste Smart Fellows.
Day one focused on reviewing project achievements and impact, with participants sharing insights on how GreenShift has inspired change. Day two celebrated these accomplishments, honoring the dedication of every stakeholder involved. Attendees included prominent leaders like Manjali Shakya Bajracharya, Deputy Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City; H.E. Ambassador Veronique Lorenzo, EU Delegation to Nepal; and Geertrui Louwagie, Deputy Head of Cooperation, European Union.
“The campaign is close to my heart, and every change the youth wants is possible,” said Ambassador Lorenzo. “Young people are the agents of change; they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. The achievements of this project in just one year are a vivid example.” She stressed the importance of having laws to manage waste and a circular economy. She called on young people to drive environmental change and acknowledged Nepal’s potential to be a leader in green energy.
CREASION’s Founder & President, Aanand Mishra, described GreenShift as more than just a project but a comprehensive campaign uniting all levels of government, schools, youth, and private sector partners in a shared vision of sustainability.
In its first year, GreenShift was launched in Bardibas, Nepalgunj, and Lalitpur, engaging over 6,000 students through the Climate Smart School program and empowering them to initiate 95 eco-conscious community projects. Additionally, three youth groups received grants to implement 34 projects, including waste mapping and clean-up campaigns. The project has also advanced policy development, drafting waste management policies for Lalitpur, Bardibas, and Nepalgunj, with plans for adoption in the coming year.
