CARA is the result of a joint venture between the Central Department of Environmental Science (CDES), Tribhuvan University, and Integrated Development Society (IDS) Nepal. It was established after the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between CDES and IDS on March 2011.

The joint venture is built on the basis that Nepal lacks qualitative applied research, which causes associated development activities to be without proper research, thereby making them incomplete and inefficient. The venture’s purpose is, therefore, to promote Applied Research and Development on issues related to environmental threats through the integration of scientific and indigenous knowledge of the communities.

The motto of this joint venture is bridging the gap between knowing and doing. Knowing is a product of research, and doing occurs through the implementation of such research outputs in communities.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene – Resource Centre Network Nepal (WASH-RCNN) is a loose network of organizations involved within the water, sanitation and hygiene sectors. This network aims to facilitate the sharing of information and to promote the practice of sanitary and hygienic practices. Eight years after its establishment, WASH-RCNN is still heavily involved in the sector and it is currently working as an NGO.

Members of the network include BSP Nepal, NEPHO, FEDW ASUN, FSC Nepal, Lumanti, NRCS, and IDS Nepal. Focused on knowledge dissemination, WASH-RCNN provides an E-bulletin that aims to maintain effective communication within WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) sector professionals. Titled “PANEE ra SARSAFAI”, the monthly e-bulletin hopes to play a catalytic role to communicate WASH knowledge and experiences within development professionals. WASH-RCNN has also been producing a ‘WASH Knowledge Series’ every month since April 2010.

For more information on WASH-RCNN, visit the website.

Banaspati Gueetha Resource Centre Network Nepal (BGRCNN) is a loose network of national non-governmental organizations, national and international organizations, government bodies, industry leaders and businesses, and educational and research institutions with valuable expertise, information and product knowledge relevant to the Bio-Briquette sector. The purpose of the BGRCNN is to form a network of appropriate organizations that will collaborate, transfer knowledge and disseminate information to all relevant stakeholders so as to promote the awareness, use, feasibility, and functionality of Bio-Briquettes within Nepal.

IDS Nepal has been actively involved with for over five years in the promotion of Bio-Briquettes as an alternative energy source for rural communities. IDS Nepal collaborates with these communities to promote the production, sale and use of Bio-Briquettes. By training producer groups and educating them on the benefits of the Bio-Briquettes, IDS Nepal aims to reduce deforestation in Nepal, whilst simultaneously mitigating the impacts of climate change and uplifting the lives of rural communities.

In its efforts to practice effective knowledge management, IDS Nepal has also been involved in the engagement of international volunteers from various developed countries. Among other sources, the organization has received volunteers through the Uniterra, Leave for Change and Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) programs. To date, fifteen volunteers have worked alongside IDS Nepal. In this process, volunteers have contributed to the organization’s progress with work in the fields of business development, climate change, renewable energy promotion, communication and institutional development.

Uniterra is a Canadian program established jointly by World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the International Centre for Studies and Cooperation (CECI). Uniterra has paired eight volunteers with IDS Nepal to build capacity and share knowledge:

• Monica Pukas, Organizational Development Advisor (March 2008 – March 2009)
• Kelly Fraser, Communication Advisor (September 2008 – August 2009)
• John Ingram, Internship Coordinator (April 2010 – October 2010)
• Karen Barkley, Internship Coordinator (April 2010 – October 2010)
• Sima Javid, Renewable Energy Promotion Advisor (December 2011 – November 2012)
• Nafisa Kassam, Documentation Intern (September 2012 – April 2013)
• Rudra Bahadur Raya, Climate Change Advisor (September 2012 – March 2013)
• Darrelle Moffat, Documentation Intern (September 2013 – April 2014)

Leave for Change is run through the Uniterra program. This program pairs corporate employees with organizations for three to four weeks to share knowledge and skills from successful corporations. Four Leave for Change volunteers have been partnered with IDS Nepal:

• Roberta Carter, Web Designer (October 3 – October 24 2009)
• Diana Consell, Business/Marketing Advisor (February 2 – 20, 2011)
• Rada Baljak, Business Development Advisor (November 5 – 27, 2011)
• Kibae Park, Communication Advisor (June 8 – July 6, 2013)

AYAD is an Australian program funded by the Australian government that aims to strengthen mutual understanding of development. It places skilled Australian youths (age 18-30) with organizations to both learn and share their skills. To date, three AYAD volunteers have been placed with IDS Nepal:

• Avril Horne, Environment Volunteer (September 2002)
• Warin Nitipaisaikul, Alternate Energy/Environment Volunteer (September 2002)
• Helen Salvestrin, Project Engineer (October 2003)