THE CHALLENGE

In 2017/18, the unemployment rate among youth was found to be 21.4% which was 10% more than the national average of 11.4%. Despite 5.6 million youth population between 15-24 years, 2 million were not in employment, education or training. The statistics indicate a major lag between the human resource present in Nepal and our inability to engage them in a better way. CREASION identifies the serious lack of exposure to and change of job opportunities among young citizens in general. To address this need, Empower+ was launched.

THE INTERVENTION

Empower+ is an effort for the youth that provides them with necessary skills and trainings required to enter the work force and start their professional career. Through Empower+, VFC hosts a series of trainings, workshops and hand-on sessions for students to help them learn skills that complements their college education. We aim to be able to provide youth with the right mentorship and trainings that will be instrumental for them to create a future that they desire.

THE PROCESS

Empower+ is spread over a total of three days with meticulously planned training programs as per the need of the young students. The standard Empower+ training sessions consist of CV and Cover Letter Writing, Report Writing, Microsoft Office Package, Interview Tips and Techniques and Email Etiquette. The trainings sessions are also accompanied by experience sharing by professionals along with personality development class by experts. The sessions are customised according the to the need, request and proficiency of the students on the selected programs.

Besides the three- day program, we have also introduced a one-day Empower+ session which is basically a 2-3 hours long experience sharing style workshops about topics ranging from leadership to public speaking.

THE CHALLENGE

The society tends to form stereotypes, internalize them and inject them in the minds and hearts of people. When the society presents us with an idea or opinion about certain issues, rarely do we question it and tend to go along with the original perspective. This has created a lot of misconceptions on important issues and directly and indirectly also influenced our actions- often invoking a negative impact. Recognizing the prevalence of so many misinterpreted issues, CREASION launched Debunking Myths.

THE INTERVENTION

Debunking Myths does not point judgment passed in the history and in the present as right or wrong but simply wants to instigate a certain level of curiosity in the audience as to learn, explore and challenge the existing narrative. It is a series devoted towards bringing light into the myths that have been ingrained in our society and influenced our way of life and perceptions. It carefully chooses themes that have the ability to strike a conversation about misplaced issues and topics and debunk age-old myths that have dictated our lives and choices.

THE PROCESS

Debunking Myths decides on a theme that has been misinterpreted in the past and invites a panel of experts and keynote speakers who then go on to dissect the themes and enlighten the audience with a clear concept of the issue at discussion. If the themes pique the interest of the audience then we also conduct follow- up events to let our audience have a clear picture of the issue at hand.

THE CHALLENGE

 The role of waste workers is often undermined in our society considering the nature of their profession. However, without their presence and their contribution, the environment and the society would fail to be in balance. It is important to recognize the contribution of our waste workers and provide them with respect and assistance. The perpetual injustice and lack of attention to their well- being is unfair to them as well as a risk for the environment and society. Hence, Hamro Cycle Yatra was launched as a means to acknowledge and show respect to the contributions of waste workers.

THE INTERVENTION

Hamro Cycle Yatra is an initiative to acknowledge the contributions of our sanitation workers who perform an important service in our society. It is a symbolic way to publicly thank our sanitation workers and bring their work in highlight for everybody to appreciate. The event consists of public acknowledgement through rally as well as health check-ups to ensure their well- being.

THE PROCESS

Hamro Cycle Yatra is organized on the occasion of the World Enviornment Day every year in the month of June. However, in 2021 the event was organized on the occasion of Global Recycling Day.  Government representatives, volunteers, professionals from other fields, representatives from waste management organizations gather together to participate in the rally which is joined by waste workers as well. The rally is accompanied by health check-up for the waste workers followed by other fun events.

THE CHALLENGE

Collaboration is the need of the hour and for that we need to push for cross- cultural cooperation and exposure. We cannot afford to be disconnected from the global world especially in this era of globalization. Cross- border volunteerism needs to be promoted as a means to not just allow the individual to receive exposure in an international setting but also allows to establish sound relationship among countries.

THE INTERVENTION

International Volunteering Program (IVP) is initiated as an effort to connect Nepal and its communities to the global world through international volunteers. The initiation of IVP has welcomed volunteers from all over the world in an attempt to narrow the gap between the Nepali and international community. The volunteers are responsible to assist the local communities in different development intervention with the skills and knowledge that they have while keeping the ethos and cultural values of the communities alive and respected.

THE PROCESS

IVP provides opportunities for volunteering, internship and cultural trips to our international counterparts. As volunteers, one can choose to work on different ongoing projects. Generally, international volunteers are included in projects located in remote areas of Nepal so that they can attain a glimpse of the local culture and traditions of Nepal.

Internship opportunities are provided to our volunteers according to their interest. Similarly, we make sure our IVP volunteers are exposed to culture and traditions that exist in Nepal.

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THE CHALLENGE

With increasing modernization and industrialization, humans seem to be getting more and more disconnected from the nature. Our concept of development is generally defined by high- rise buildings and high economic growth and in the midst of it, we have been jeopardizing the natural resources present around us and undermining their importance. Development cannot attain its true essence until and unless we find a balance between the economic and natural environment.

THE INTERVENTION

Tree of the Year Nepal was introduced in 2017 as an initiative to make people realize the importance of biodiversity and the natural environment. It is an extension of the Asian Tree of the Year organized by Carbon Consulting Company (CCC), South Asia’s foremost provider in integrated sustainability services. Tree of the Year Nepal is affiliated to the Asian Tree of the Year and is a national contest that focuses on starting a conversation amongst the citizens on the importance of protecting trees and the importance to preserve biodiversity. As Nepal stands in the cross- roads of development, the contest aims to provide a clarity to the citizens on what should be prioritised in the path to achieving sustainable development.

THE PROCESS

Tree of the Year Nepal is basically a photography contest that welcomes photo entries of trees that have special histories. The photograph entries must be accompanied by a story pertaining to why the tree is of special significance. The judges evaluate the winners on the basis of not just the quality of the photograph but also on the basis of the significance of the tree and the entrant's portrayal of it to instigate the need to conserve biodiversity present around us.

The Challenge

Society hold stereotypes and prejudices and there is need for change. Those who stand-up to break stereotypes and prejudices face great challenges but there are peoplehave taken the responsibility and persist in taking on the provocation brought upon by society. Youths seek inspiration in such individuals. When challenges might be insurmountable, they seek someone to believe that all of life's challenges can be overcome.

The Intervention

Khulla Kitab is an initiative where individuals--recognized or unknown--come together to tell stories of how they overcame challenges. Through stories, storytellers get to revisit their past to inspire listeners to take a step on their own. It is a chance to express and learn, to take the inspiration to take the next step to overcome challenges.

The Process

Storytellers are stationed at a table and listeners come to them to listen to their stories. After the stories are over, the listeners ask questions and the storytellers answer their questions. Through listening and conversations, we address the pertinent issues of societies and embrace the efforts of storytellers.

The Challenge

Before striving forward to make a change, we need to know each other. To build a team, we need to communicate. Before transforming the world, we need to improve ourselves. This requires the organization of activities that ensure that the youths that are driven can get together to understand each other, learn from each other and have fun at the same time.

The Intervention

A weekly Get-Together ensures that there is a time for volunteers to meet each other and involve in activities where they can learn or simply have fun. We get together with activities to enjoy the company of each other, be it educational or simply having fun, so that people of different interests can come together to learn something new or simply build chemistry with the team.

The Process

Every Friday, we meet up to organize events such as CREAJAM (musical/artistic jam) or Let's Talk Books (discuss books) to express ourselves and which also serves as a platform to discuss ways in which we can contribute to the community. Other activities include a mental health session in collaboration with Mondays For Mental Health on Mondays every week.