Advancing Circular Economy practices across entrepreneurship, education, policy development, and public awareness in Nepal.
40
enterprises incubated in Bagmati & Lumbini provinces
480+
jobs supported, 67% held by women
9
organisations united under the Green Alliance Nepal
Driving Nepal’s transition to a circular economy
Roots of Circularity Nepal brings together education, entrepreneurship, policy and public awareness to help embed circular practices in everyday life and business. Running from 2023-2027, the programme is funded by the European Union and led by Impact Hub Association in partnership with Impact Hub Kathmandu and Wildlife Conservation Nepal.
Working across Bagmati and Lumbini provinces, it supports entrepreneurs to develop circular business models while working with educators to bring circular thinking into learning. It also connects businesses with civil society and policymakers to strengthen collaboration and create more supportive conditions for circular solutions.
Together, these efforts aim to build an ecosystem where circular businesses can thrive and more people can participate in Nepal’s transition towards a circular economy.
Circular Economy toolkit
Insights, tools and methodologies for ESOs to adopt a Circular Economy lens to their entrepreneurial support programmes. Available in English & Nepali.
What circular enterprises
are making possible
Supported enterprises are putting circular practices into action, reducing waste and emissions while attracting further investment.
8.84 tonnes
of waste diverted or treated by 22 enterprises, avoiding landfill or open burning
4.74 tonnes
of that waste reused or upcycled in the enterprises’ own production
35.6 tonnes
CO₂ avoided by 28 supported enterprises
NPR 9.2 million
in additional external financing secured by six enterprises
Three years of impact
Roots of Circularity Nepal is advancing circular economy education, supporting enterprises, strengthening policy dialogue and building public awareness. Here is the progress so far.
Education
Circular economy principles are now part of the nationally approved Optional Environmental Science curriculum for Grades 9 and 10. Developed with the Curriculum Development Centre, the curriculum is available to schools serving 968,430 students, with Grades 11 and 12 expected to follow. Seven higher education institutions have also piloted circular economy content in their curricula.
Entrepreneurship
Our incubation programme has supported 40 micro, small and medium enterprises across Bagmati and Lumbini to adopt circular practices, with four cohorts completed and the final two underway. Of these enterprises, 65% are women-owned or women-led. Together, they supported 488 jobs, the majority held by women.
Policy & convening
A policy study in Lumbini Province identified ways to strengthen circular economy policy and coordination, informing further dialogue with the provincial ministry. Green Alliance Nepal’s nine founding organisations agreed on governance and shared advocacy priorities. The alliance also organised two Circularity Conclaves, establishing an annual meeting space to discuss and advance Nepal’s circular economy transition. The first brought together 900+ participants, followed by almost 400 at the second.
Awareness & media
The project expanded its communication activities through digital campaigns, educational materials, storytelling, and youth-focused events. Over 600,000 were reached through online media campaigns. 71 journalists have also been trained to report accurately on the circular economy and bring Circular Economy stories to wider audiences.
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