The Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), in partnership with ForestAction Nepal (FA-N) and the Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies (SIAS), conducted a primary study examining the socio-economic and financial challenges faced by women-led enterprises (WLEs) in Nepal, particularly their limited access to finance. The objective of the related event is to present the study’s key findings, engage diverse stakeholders in discussion, and identify solutions to bridge financing gaps. Participants include WLE associations, industry associations, local and national banks, microfinance institutions, and savings and credit cooperatives. The forum aims to explore systemic and policy barriers, enhance WLEs’ eligibility for financing, and strengthen their capacity to absorb capital effectively.
The hybrid event, scheduled for 22nd January 2026 at Hotel Himalaya in Lalitpur, will feature introductory remarks from FA-N and SIAS representatives, followed by a keynote address from an IDRC representative providing an overview of the project. The CPI team will then present the study’s key findings, highlighting financing gaps, challenges, and opportunities for WLEs.
The central segment of the event will be a panel discussion including financial institutions, women’s enterprise associations, and research partners, moderated around pre-defined themes. The panel will explore barriers to financial access, practical strategies to improve capital availability, and innovative pathways for supporting women-led enterprises. An open Q&A session will follow, allowing participants to discuss actionable solutions, and the event will conclude with closing insights and remarks.
CPI is an advisory and analysis organization with expertise in finance and policy, supporting governments, businesses, and financial institutions in achieving economic growth while addressing climate change. It operates offices in Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. ForestAction Nepal, established in 2000, is a nonprofit working on forestry, biodiversity, agriculture, climate change, and sustainable livelihoods, combining research with multistakeholder dialogue. SIAS, founded in 2011, is a South Asia-focused research and policy institute that bridges research, policy, and practice in areas including natural resource management, climate change, disaster risk management, and rural livelihoods.
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC), a Canadian government agency, supports research in developing countries to promote sustainable and inclusive development. Through funding and stakeholder engagement activities, IDRC seeks to integrate environmental sustainability and inclusion into economic decision-making, supporting innovations that create economic opportunities for vulnerable groups, including women-led enterprises in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, energy, and transport.
