2004–2026: From Community Action to Sustainable Impact
Since its establishment in 2004, Civic Forum for Sustainable Development (Civic Forum) has evolved from a community-focused organization into a leading development partner working across WASH, disaster resilience, climate action, rural infrastructure, social inclusion, livelihoods, education, health, environmental conservation and safer migration.
Our journey has always been guided by one principle:
“Empowering Communities, Sustaining Futures.”
2004 — Foundation & Community Mobilization
Civic Forum is established
Civic Forum for Sustainable Development was registered on 16 March 2004 at the District Administration Office, Kavrepalanchok, and affiliated with the Social Welfare Council on 26 March 2004.
The organization began its journey with a focus on community participation, empowerment, health, sanitation and sustainable development.
Milestone: Launch of the School and Community Health Project (SCHP) in Banakhu, supporting community health, sanitation, Self-Help Groups and child clubs.
2005–2007 — Building Community Capacity
Strengthening people, groups and local institutions
Civic Forum expanded its community-based work through health, sanitation, education, livelihood and social mobilization initiatives.
The organization supported women’s groups, child clubs, farmers and disadvantaged communities while promoting local leadership and community participation.
Focus:
Community health • Education • Livelihoods • Women’s empowerment • Social mobilization
2007–2008 — Education, Agriculture & Livelihoods
Creating opportunities at the grassroots
Civic Forum implemented initiatives to improve education and household livelihoods, including the Child Centered Education Program and the Farmer-to-Farmer Agriculture Extension Program.
The agriculture programme trained 535 SHG members in compost preparation and vegetable production and supported 328 households with vegetable seeds.
Milestone: Community-based education and livelihood development became important components of Civic Forum’s development approach.
2008 — Environment & Conservation
Connecting livelihoods with environmental stewardship
Civic Forum strengthened its environmental work through the Wildlife Conservation in Community Forestry initiative, promoting community participation, conservation education and sustainable management of natural resources.
Focus:
Community forestry • Biodiversity • Conservation education • Local environmental action
2009–2013 — Rural Connectivity & Local Governance
Connecting communities and strengthening participation
Civic Forum expanded into rural infrastructure and local governance.
Through the Community Bridge Building at the Local Level (BBLL) programme in Dolakha, Civic Forum facilitated the construction of 20 trail bridges, with a combined length of 1,367.6 metres, benefiting 7,928 households and 43,991 people.
At the same time, Civic Forum supported social mobilization, Ward Citizen Forums, Citizen Awareness Centres and participatory local planning.
Milestone: Infrastructure development was combined with community ownership, transparency and social inclusion.
2010–2014 — Social Mobilization, Environment & Inclusive Development
Empowering communities to lead their own development
Civic Forum worked with local governments and communities on social mobilization, environment-friendly local governance, women’s empowerment, literacy, anti-drug awareness and community development.
Under LGCDP-related social mobilization work, Civic Forum supported the establishment of community structures including Ward Citizen Forums and Citizen Awareness Centres, strengthening citizen participation in local development.
Focus:
Good governance • Citizen participation • Women’s empowerment • Literacy • Environment • Livelihoods
2015 — Earthquake Response & Community Resilience
Responding when communities needed us most
Following the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, Civic Forum rapidly mobilized to support affected communities in Kavrepalanchok.
The organization conducted assessments, coordinated with local authorities and development partners, and supported emergency relief and temporary shelter initiatives.
Through its earthquake response with Caritas Nepal, Civic Forum surveyed 9,200 households across 14 VDCs and supported large-scale distribution of emergency materials to affected communities.
Milestone: Humanitarian response and disaster resilience became an important part of Civic Forum’s organizational experience.
2016 — WASH Recovery & Humanitarian Support
Restoring essential services after disaster
Civic Forum expanded its WASH and humanitarian response following the earthquake.
With support from UNICEF Nepal, Civic Forum improved WASH facilities in 26 Health Posts and Outpatient Therapeutic Posts, including toilets, water tanks, water supply systems, plumbing, water points and related facilities.
Civic Forum also supported temporary shelter for earthquake survivors through GlobalGiving-funded assistance.
Focus:
Safe water • Sanitation • Health facilities • Emergency shelter • Disaster recovery
2017–2018 — Sustainable WASH & Rural Infrastructure
From recovery to resilience
Civic Forum strengthened its work on sustainable WASH systems and rural connectivity.
In 2018, a UNICEF-supported project improved sustainable water supply and sanitation in 8 communities, benefiting 4,877 people from 417 households, while also strengthening Water Safety Plans, plumbing skills and Water User Committees.
The Trail Bridge Sub Sector Programme also expanded Civic Forum’s experience in inclusive rural infrastructure.
Milestone: WASH resilience, community ownership and sustainable infrastructure became central to Civic Forum’s approach.
2019 — Water Safe Communities
A major milestone in water safety
Civic Forum advanced its Water Safety Plan and climate-resilient WASH work through UNICEF-supported interventions.
The organization supported water quality monitoring, climate-resilient Water Safety Plans, operation and maintenance agreements and Water Safe Community initiatives.
On 29 April 2019, Chhage and Dhitaltole communities were declared Water Safe Communities, described in the profile as the first Water Safe Community declaration in Nepal.
Milestone: Civic Forum strengthened its position as an experienced organization in WASH resilience and water safety.
2020–2022 — COVID-19 Response, WASH Resilience & Safer Migration
Protecting communities during crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Civic Forum supported communities through hygiene promotion, local production of essential hygiene materials and livelihood protection.
One initiative supported local entrepreneurs who produced 320 litres of liquid soap and 3,100 reusable masks, with 198 litres of liquid soap sold in local markets by March 2021.
Civic Forum also implemented programmes focused on disaster preparedness and WASH resilience in schools, as well as the Safer Migration programme.
Focus:
COVID-19 response • Hygiene • Livelihood protection • DRR • WASH resilience • Migration services
2022–2024 — WASH in Schools & Child-Centred Resilience
Making schools safer, healthier and more inclusive
Through the Sanitation Trailblazers: Resilient Children in Nepal (STRCN) project and the WASH in Schools programme, Civic Forum worked with schools, children, teachers, communities and local governments.
The programmes strengthened WASH resilience, disaster preparedness and inclusive school facilities.
Key milestone:
Five schools in Chaurideurali Rural Municipality were declared Three-Star WASH Schools.
The WASH in Schools programme also supported assessment of 33 schools, inclusive water points, toilets and handwashing facilities, rainwater harvesting, water-quality training and WASH resilience capacity building.
2022–2025 — Expanding Safer Migration Services
Promoting safe, informed and dignified migration
Civic Forum implemented the Safer Migration (SaMi) Programme in partnership with local governments and the District Administration Office.
Across successive programme periods, Civic Forum operated Migrant Resource Centre services and provided information and counselling, access to justice, psychosocial support, financial literacy and skills-related services.
In the 2024–2025 programme period alone, the Migrant Resource Centre provided information and counselling to 14,734 individuals, while 34 foreign employment-related cases were registered and referred for appropriate support.
Milestone: Safer migration became an established area of Civic Forum’s community and local governance work.
2024–2025 — Humanitarian WASH & Climate Resilience
Responding to needs while building long-term resilience
Through the Humanitarian WASH Interventions in Kavrepalanchok District programme supported by UNICEF Nepal, Civic Forum worked in Panauti, Namobuddha, Roshi and Bethanchok.
The programme identified 513 water sources across the four local levels, completed 3 minor repairs and 12 major repairs/rehabilitations of water supply systems, and restored safe drinking water access for thousands of people.
Civic Forum also strengthened Climate Resilient Water Safety Plans, Village Maintenance Worker skills, water quality monitoring, WASH governance and Water Safe Community approaches.
Milestone: Humanitarian response was increasingly integrated with climate resilience, sustainability and local institutional capacity.
2025 — Strengthening Institutional Capacity & Partnerships
Growing as a trusted development partner
Civic Forum continued strengthening partnerships with local governments, UNICEF, WaterAid Nepal, development organizations, community institutions and other stakeholders.
Its experience expanded across:
WASH • Climate Change • DRR • Rural Infrastructure • Safer Migration • Livelihoods • GESI • Environment • Governance • Humanitarian Response
The organization continued investing in technical expertise, community systems, accountability and evidence-based programming.
2026 — A Stronger Civic Forum
Two decades of experience, a future of greater impact
In 2026, Civic Forum marks more than two decades of community-driven development experience.
The organization continues to work toward a just, inclusive and resilient society by combining:
- Community empowerment and participation
- WASH and climate resilience
- Disaster risk reduction and humanitarian response
- Inclusive rural infrastructure
- Safer migration and protection
- Sustainable livelihoods and agriculture
- Gender equality and social inclusion
- Environmental conservation
- Education and child-centred development
- Local governance, accountability and institutional strengthening
The Trail Bridge Sub Sector Programme remains an important ongoing area of work in Kavrepalanchok, with the August 2026 organizational profile reporting 26 trail bridges and 1,518.2 metres of combined bridge length supported from October 2018 to date.
2004–2026
From Community Participation to Sustainable Impact
22+ Years of Experience
Community Empowerment • Sustainable Development • Resilience • Inclusion
From a small community-focused initiative in 2004 to an experienced development organization working with communities, local governments and development partners, Civic Forum’s journey is a story of participation, partnership, learning and impact.
Our journey continues…
Empowering Communities, Sustaining Futures
