USAID Inclusive Livelihoods-Central

The Inclusive Livelihoods-Central activity was a project partnership with Nepal Disabled Human Rights Centre (DHRC), Disabled Welfare Association (DWA), Federation of Women with Disability Nepal (FWDN), Forward Looking, SHRUTI, and USAID, for the economic empowerment, poverty reduction and equalization of opportunities in Kathmandu and Dhading District in central Nepal.

It came to an end in early 2025 following the new US administration’s freeze then cuts to overseas aid, and to the US Agency for International Development itself. The sudden withdrawal of funding led to great uncertainty for the project partners and staff, and for disabled people in Nepal waiting for livelihood support and training.

Thankfully, many aspects of the project were able to continue more or less independently. The 24 self-help groups we had established continued to meet regularly, providing their members with mutual support, group savings and loans, and a collective voice in their community. Well over 300 people had developed livelihood activities in the course of the project, which continued to be a source of income and financial security. We made sure that livelihood participants were not abandoned or let down.

The legacy of these interventions – and inclusive vocational training in IT, hospitality, digital marketing and preparation for public service – will be that hundreds of people with disabilities have been supported to work, earn and save, develop and fulfill their potential and aspirations, gain skills and qualifications, contribute to economic life, and take on responsibilities and leadership roles.