KATHMANDU: ChangeFusion Nepal in co-ordination with Open Society Institute (OSI) and Alliance for Social Dialogue (ASD) declared the 23 grantees from 16 different districts as ‘Youth Action Fund Winners 2011’ on December 6.

ChangeFusion Nepal is supported by OSI to administer the Youth Action Fund in Nepal to identify, inspire, and support small groups of dedicated young people who can mobilise and influence large numbers of their peers. OSI created this fund to provide small grants and other support to encourage progressive, youth-driven initiatives.

Youth Action Fund Nepal focuses on education, environment and access to technology and independent media with an emphasis on programmes that utilise the knowledge and skills of youth. According to a press release

issued here, 270 applications were received covering 14 zones and 48 districts. The 23 winners have been recognised for their innovative ideas and the possible level of impact. “This recognition should encourage others to follow these examples of individuals creating a better social and environmental setting,” says the release.

The winners were selected after an intense selection process which was evaluated by a panel of judges from ASD and OSI. The winners will attend a skill development training which will take place from December 21 to 23 in Dhulikhel. The objective of the training is to impart the knowledge of project implementation, access to social media, including facebook, blogs as well as the website to the candidates. — HNS