OVERVIEW:
Shaping Political Futures aims to provide Nepali youth (ages 18-30) with the necessary knowledge and skills to participate more effectively in the political process in a federal Nepal. Our project strongly encourages enhancing women, marginalized community members and youth participation in the federal process of Nepal. In our initiative, the project team has begun collaborating with political leaders and experts to develop a 'Political Leadership Accelerator Program', in which youth will be given the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to participate effectively in the electoral process, both as voters and as future electoral candidates. Along with the accelerator program, the hub has begun integrating all materials and papers into a single platform, as well as creating an outline for digital advocacy and awareness campaigns. In the long run, the team aims to institutionalize the federal democratic process in Nepal so that it may move faster toward stability and growth, i.e. a better functioning federal democratic process.
Our mission is clear - to empower Nepal's political future through a strengthened federal democracy.
Our Short-Term Objectives:
- Increase knowledge of the political process of the targeted youth.
- Increase the capacity of the youth to participate in the electoral process.
- Provide a safe platform and inclusive community for starting young leaders' journeys into politics with mentor/mentee systems, workshops/training sessions and political leadership conferences/events, ensuring their voices are heard!
Our Long-Term Objective: Support the institutionalisation of the federal democratic process to drive Nepal on an accelerated path to stability and development.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND ACTIVITIES
The project has been divided into two phases based on the above-mentioned objectives. The first phase of this project aims to build and strengthen young individuals’ (ages 18 - 30) knowledge and interest in current affairs, politics and the public sector. In the second phase of this project, we are taking ACTION - we aim to develop a well-informed voter base and turnout in the next cycle of elections (2 more years to go!).
PHASE 1: BUILDING OUR FOUNDATION
1. Knowledge Gap Analysis: Meet with young parliamentarians and politicians (from different ideologies/parties) and conduct in-depth interviews to understand their journeys, current needs and gaps of the landscape (will be used as primary research data for the website and course curriculum) - [Note - this is at its last stage of reviewing before being published]
2. Introduction to Politics Course: Launch the course to over 200 young people (virtual and in-person) after developing the curriculum, which is geared towards capacity development and civic awareness - [Note - the course is currently being developed in collaboration with politics and political science experts]
3. Women, Policies and Politics Program: Cater specifically to 50 young women and persons from marginalized communities interested in pursuing politics through one-on-one mentor/mentee system and exclusive course modules
4. One-Stop Database Portal: Create an online portal for fundamental information (articles, books, journals, etc.) on the political process of Nepal accessible globally
5. Platform for Networking/Idea Sharing: Host annual political leadership conferences/idea sharing and networking events for over 500 persons
PHASE 2: TAKING ACTION
1. Voter Awareness Campaigns: Organize voter awareness campaigns targeting 500 young people to educate them about the importance of voting, the electoral process, and their rights and responsibilities as voters. This would be achieved by collaboratively working with organizations promoting civic engagement and good governance like Shaasan Nepal.
2. Voter Registration Drives: Collaborate with the Election Commission of Nepal and local communities/organizations to organize voter registration drives, especially targeting youth who are eligible but not yet registered to vote.
3. Engage Local Leaders: Collaborate with local youth leaders, community organizations, and grassroots movements to reach a wider audience and increase the impact of voter education initiatives.
We are a diverse team comprised of individuals with expertise in policy research, advocacy, civic engagement, academia, behavioural studies, women and minority rights (GEDSI) and marketing.