RFPs: Youth-Led Action Research on Democracy and Governance Challenges (Nepal)

Deadline: 28-Sep-2026

This initiative supports young researchers in Nepal to conduct action-oriented research on participatory and inclusive democracy and governance. The 10-month programme, running from October 2026 to July 2027, aims to strengthen young researchers’ ability to identify governance challenges, develop practical solutions, and engage government stakeholders to promote more accountable and inclusive governance.

About the Programme

The initiative is designed to empower research students and young researchers in Nepal to lead ethical and high-impact action research addressing governance challenges that directly affect their communities. The programme combines research, practical problem-solving, and policy engagement. Participants will investigate barriers to youth civic participation, develop and test solutions, and work with local and provincial government bodies to encourage the adoption of evidence-based recommendations. The programme focuses on turning research findings into practical actions that can contribute to more participatory, inclusive, and accountable governance in Nepal. Key Objectives

The initiative aims to:

- Build the capacity of young researchers to conduct action research. - Strengthen youth participation in civic and governance processes. - Identify barriers that limit youth civic engagement. - Generate evidence on democracy and governance challenges. - Develop practical and locally relevant solutions. - Pilot interventions that address identified governance challenges. - Engage local and provincial governments with research findings. - Promote evidence-based governance and policy decisions. - Strengthen leadership skills among young researchers. What Will Participants Do? Participants will follow an action-research process that connects research findings with practical solutions.

Key activities include:

- Identifying governance challenges affecting youth civic engagement. - Conducting field-based research. - Consulting relevant stakeholders and communities. - Analysing evidence and identifying potential solutions. - Developing practical action plans. - Piloting proposed interventions. - Documenting the implementation and results of the pilots. - Engaging with local and provincial government bodies. - Sharing findings and recommendations with relevant stakeholders. Research Outputs The programme will produce several research and policy-oriented outputs.

These may include:

- Research reports: Detailed findings from the action research.

- Policy briefs: Concise evidence-based recommendations for decision-makers.

- Action plans: Practical steps for addressing identified governance challenges.

- Pilot documentation: Records of the interventions implemented during the programme.

- Outcome documentation: Evidence showing the results and lessons from the pilot interventions.

These outputs are intended to help translate research into practical governance improvements. Who Is Eligible? The opportunity is intended for organisations that can manage and oversee action research and related governance programmes in Nepal.

Eligible applicants must be:

- Legally registered service providers; or - Formally recognised non-government organisations. - Based or operating in Nepal. - Experienced in managing relevant research and governance programmes. Applicants must have at least five years of experience in areas such as: - Action research. - Policy advocacy. - Good governance. - Civic engagement. Organisational Capacity Requirements Applicants should demonstrate the ability to oversee the full research lifecycle, from research design through implementation, analysis, reporting, and dissemination.

They should also demonstrate:

- Strong knowledge of Nepal’s governance and policy landscape. - Experience managing action research. - Capacity to conduct ethical research. - Ability to coordinate field research and stakeholder consultations. - Experience engaging relevant government stakeholders. - Capacity to develop and document practical interventions. - Ability to manage research outputs and policy communication. Experience in youth-led research and leadership development is considered a strong advantage. Programme Duration The assignment will run for 10 months, from October 2026 to July 2027. The 10-month period provides time for research design, fieldwork, stakeholder engagement, development and piloting of solutions, documentation, and engagement with government bodies. How the Programme Works The initiative follows an action-oriented research process designed to move from identifying problems to testing solutions.

- Identify governance challenges: Researchers identify barriers affecting youth civic engagement and participation.

- Design the research: Participants develop ethical research approaches suited to the governance issues and communities being studied.

- Conduct field research: Researchers gather evidence through fieldwork and engagement with relevant stakeholders.

- Consult stakeholders: Findings and challenges are explored through consultations with communities and other relevant actors.

- Develop solutions: Participants use the evidence collected to design practical and locally relevant interventions.

- Pilot interventions: Proposed solutions are tested in practice to determine their feasibility and effectiveness.

- Document results: Researchers record the implementation process, outcomes, challenges, and lessons learned.

- Develop research outputs: Participants prepare research reports, policy briefs, action plans, and pilot documentation.

- Engage government: Findings and recommendations are shared with local and provincial government bodies to encourage uptake.

- Promote evidence-based action: The overall process aims to turn research evidence into practical improvements in participatory and inclusive governance.

Why It Matters Youth participation is an important part of inclusive and accountable governance. However, young people can face institutional, socia