Prolinnova–Nepal aims at developing and institutionalising partnership and methodologies that promote processes of local innovation in environmentally sound use of natural resources. It is an initiative undertaken in partnership between several Nepal-based organisations.
Some activities of Prolinnova–Nepal since it was set up in 2004 have been: reviewing previous studies and documents on local innovation, developing guiding principles and modalities of field documentation, providing orientation to partners regarding participatory innovation development (PID), and experimenting with modalities of Local Innovation Support Funds/Facilities (LISFs). The Country Platform (CP) put special emphasis on integrating the PID approach into learning in schools and institutions of higher education.
The CP was coordinated for several years by LI-BIRD (Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development). In early 2016, the coordination was rotated to the Institute for Science and Technology of Tribhuwan University, thereafter to SAHAS (Group of Helping Hands) and, in early 2022, to RIMS (Resource Identification and Management Society). In early 2023, Rupantaran Nepal – a national NGO that works in natural resource management and climate-change adaptation and mitigation – accepted the responsibility to host the Prolinnova–Nepal platform. From September 2024, the Nepal Permaculture Group (NPG) is leading the initiative as the host organisation. NPG is a national-level member-based network and advocacy forum for sustainable agriculture and permaculture in Nepal. NPG has been promoting effective networking among individuals and institutions in this field.
A National Steering Committee (NSC) comprising six members from government, research and academia oversees the CP:
- Bimala Devkota, Nepal Academy of Science & Technology
- Dharma Dangol, Institute of Social and Environmental Research
- Huma Neupane, Research & Publication, Institute of Agriculture & Animal Science (IAAS), Tribhuvan University
- Khemraj Dahal, Department of Agronomy, IAAS, Tribhuvan University
- Ram Krishna Shrestha, Department of Agriculture – NSC Chairperson
- (Ms) Sony Baral, Institute of Forestry
Prem Thapa, CP Coordinator, is ex officio member of the NSC.
