connecting spaces – Nepal

Swiss Partners

connecting spaces
www.monikaschaffner.biz
Monika Schaffner;

myclimate Foundation
www.myclimate.org
Martin Lehmann

Project Type:

Pilot project

Technology:

Diverse

Country:

Nepal

Project Status:

Completed

Project Start:

2018

End of Project:

2021

Contract:

2018.15

Swiss Contribution

Connecting spaces has long-term experience in managing and coordinating projects in the field of environmental policy and sustainable development in Switzerland and Nepal. Having spent a significant amount of her time in both countries, Monika Schaffner connects between the cultures and builds on a wide professional and personal, international and local network in the field of sustainable development. Myclimate is a partner for effective climate protection – both locally and globally. The Swiss Non-Profit organisation wants to shape the future together with its partners through consultation, education and climate protection projects.

Description

The project will design and implement the infrastructure foundation, i.e. the “hardware”, of a holistic and economically self-dependent eco-tourism business model in four selected villages of Madi Municipality. In each village, in close collaboration with the Women Groups of the local communities, two eco-tourism homestays will be constructed which includes climate-efficient buildings using local materials, smart off-grid solar energy systems, safe drinking water supply systems and smart waste management schemes.

Results

Following formalization of the necessary agreement with all relevant stakeholders, various workshops were held, life cycle analyses (LCAs) were prepared and the buildings and technical facilities were planned, based on the results. Throughout the project’s duration, it became clear that the work had to be more focussed for the concept’s successful completion. Most of the planned infrastructure comprised of a guest house, community hall, drinking water supply and waste concept has been realised in the village of Bankatta.  Two other villages have received all implementation documents. The project team has built up a broad network for the project concept’s multiplication.

Impacts

A total of 100 people were trained for this sustainable tourism concept’s realisation and operation, within the project’s framework. In the event of a permanent operation, about 20 new jobs will be created in the village of Bankatta.  The project is strongly affected by the COVID-19 situation.  The use of this particular offer and the concept’s multiplication is greatly dependent on the pandemic’s worldwide development.