Finland will launch a new bilateral project in Nepal aimed at sustainable use of natural resources and development of local climate protection measures. The project will be implemented by Cowater International Finland OY, the Finnish Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
The Finland-Nepal joint project, due to be launched in December 2024, has received significant funding from the European Union. The five-year Local Adaptation to Climate Change (LACC) project aims to improve people’s resilience to climate change, livelihoods and living conditions, and sustainable use of natural resources in the municipalities of Sudurpashchim and Karnali provinces. Climate change continues to be an increasing challenge to people’s livelihoods and nature conservation in these areas.
Cowater International Finland OY will implement the project in Nepal in co-operation with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Development Management Institute (DMI) Nepal.
The project will complement the ongoing bilateral water co-operation between Finland and Nepal and will be more oriented towards sustainable economic development. It will also promote gender equality and non-discrimination.
The project will also provide a unique opportunity to share best practices in the sustainable use of natural resources and combating climate change, while drawing on Finnish expertise and solutions.
The project funding is estimated at 51 million euros. The EU’s contribution to the project is €18 million and Finland’s is €13 million. Nepal’s share of the funding is estimated at €20 million.
The project is a continuation of the successful co-operation between Finland’s Team Europe in Nepal and one of the EU’s flagship projects, Global Gateway.
