The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with Nepal’s Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), launched a national training on Evidence-Based Policymaking for Social Justice and Decent Work for All. The week-long course, held in Nagarkot from 8–12 September 2025, aimed to strengthen the capacity of policymakers and social partners to tackle labour market challenges through practical, evidence-driven policy actions. The training focused on equipping participants with the skills needed to design policies that create decent jobs and promote social justice across Nepal.
Nepal faces significant labour market challenges, including slow job creation, high informality, and continued reliance on foreign employment. With the country approaching graduation from Least Developed Country status in 2026 and declaring the Decade of Internal Employment Promotion, effective evidence-based policies are increasingly urgent. Numan Özcan, Director of the ILO Country Office for Nepal, emphasized that turning data, research, and lived experiences into actionable policies is crucial for shaping the future of work and promoting social justice.
The course targeted officials from eight ministries, representatives of trade unions and employer organizations, and researchers. Over five days, participants learned to formulate policy questions, critically assess labour market evidence, synthesize and communicate findings, and draft policy briefs on priority issues. Participants focused on topics ranging from youth employment and rural job creation to informality, social protection, and reducing the costs of migration.
By the end of the training, participants not only gained a solid understanding of evidence-based policymaking principles but also applied them by drafting their own policy briefs. These briefs will be reviewed by ILO experts, and successful participants will receive an ILO certificate from the ITC. A follow-up evaluation will assess how participants apply their newly acquired skills within their respective institutions, ensuring that the training contributes to long-term capacity development and strengthened policy outcomes in Nepal.
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