With funding from DFID's Research Into Use (RIU) Innovation Challenge Fund (ICF) 2008-2011, four projects in Nepal gets under way. The projects are led by four Nepalese NGOs - LI-BIRD, FORWARD, IDE Nepal and ForestAction. 

Innovation system in forestry to reduce poverty: Led by ForestAction in partnership with FECOFUN, NEHHPA, NEFEJ and DoSA, TU, this project will promote community management of forests in Nepal. Communities will develop forest user groups involving all stakeholders and learn how to make better use of forest products. They will also learn how to take part in processes for reforming forest policies. Around 20,000 households, including 4,000 of the very poorest, belonging to 60 community forest user groups, will benefit directly. Over 3.5 million people belonging to 15,000 community forest user groups will benefit indirectly from advocacy across the country and from changes in policies. The project will cover the Terai lowlands, and hill and mountain areas in Nepal.

About RIU ICF: RIU ICF will distribute £4.6 million over the next three years to thirteen projects in South and Southeast Asia. The projects chosen will have innovative approaches to getting DFID funded natural resource research outputs into use in order to reduce poverty. More information on the projects can be found in RIU website.

Download the ICF Brochure