Pravina Amatya

Baman Ghimire

Swarna Tamrakar

Nikesh Balami

Kushma Kc

Ashok Sah

Gargi Nepal

Krishna Sunar

Prakash Lamichhane

Roshan Khadka

Sagar Koirala

On December 16, 2023, NUSAN successfully convened its 5th Annual General Meeting.🎉

The inaugural session commenced with Opening Remarks by Ms. Pravina Amatya, Outgoing Vice-President of NUSAN, and an invigorating address from Mr. Mark Templer, the Political/Economic Chief at the U.S. Embassy, Nepal. ASG recipient for Bagmati Province 2022, Ms. Gargi Nepal, shared inspiring insights about her Alumni Small Grant experience with NUSAN. Additionally, remarks from Mr. Purna Nepali, President of Fulbright Alumni Association of Nepal (FAAN) focused on solidifying the USG alumni network, Mr. Chandra Prakash Gharti, Mayor of Bheri Municipality, emphasized the Alumni to Alumni Support Initiative. The inaugural concluded with a special felicitation of NUSAN lifetime members by NUSAN President, Mr. Saroj Bista.

During the closed session the outgoing General secretary of NUSAN, Mr. Pradip Khatiwada presented amendment provision of NUSAN that got approval from the general members and presented on the Progress report. Mr. Niroj Shrestha, the outgoing Treasurer presented the final statements of FY2079/80 followed by NUSAN's outgoing secretary, Mr. Baman Kumar Ghimire presenting the future roadmap of NUSAN.
Hon. Manish Jha member of the federal parliament of Nepal and Immediate past President of NUSAN graced us with his presence and remarks followed by a Vote of thanks from the outgoing NUSAN President, Mr. Saroj Bista.

The election committee led by Mr. Bholanath Dhungana conducted a fair and democratic election process resulting in the election of the new NUSAN executive committee:

President: Ms. Pravina Amatya
Vice President: Mr. Baman Kumar Ghimire
General Secretary: Ms. Swarna Tamrakar
Secretary: Mr. Nikesh Balami
Treasurer: Ms. Kushma KC
Executive Member:
Mr. Roshan Khadka 
Mr. Ashok Sah
Mr. Prakash Lamicchane 
Mr. Krishna Bahadur Sunar
Ms. Gargi Nepal 
Mr. Sagar Koirala 

We extend our gratitude to all the general members for their active participation in the AGM and their pivotal role in electing future leadership. We wish the new leadership a successful tenure ahead, and we appreciate the past leadership for their invaluable contributions in achieving remarkable milestones and strengthening the USG alumni network.

NUSAN 5th AGM

Join us for the Nepal-US Alumni Network (NUSAN) 5th Annual General Meeting on December 16, 2023, at 10:00 AM (Mangsir 30, 2080).

Calling on all esteemed members to join us for this exclusive event!

Reserve your participation now: https://bit.ly/46sNK0n

(Further details regarding the event venue and program schedule will be communicated to confirmed participants)

Nepal-U.S. Alumni Network (NUSAN), in collaboration with American Corner Pokhara and NYEF-Pokhara, organized an event themed 'Youths and Opportunities' on September 28, 2023.

The event was moderated by the NUSAN secretary, Mr. Baman Kumar Ghimire where distinguished USG alumni, including:
Mrs. Ramkali Khadka (IVLP-2002, Women Entrepreneurship)
Mrs. Kavita Shrestha (Professional Fellows-2018)
Mr. Sujan Regmi (IVLP-2022)
Mr. Rohit Dahal (CEE-2023), and 
Mr. Neeraj Shrestha (IVLP-2018) shared their valuable experiences and provided insightful tips to youth regarding the various exchange programs offered by the U.S. Embassy in Nepal.

The objective of the event was to disseminate information about various exchange programs offered by the U.S. Embassy Nepal, specifically tailored for youth.

'Youths and Opportunities'

The [Nepal-U.S. Alumni Network (NUSAN)](https://nusan.org/) is thrilled to announce the recipients of the [Alumni Small Grant (ASG) 2025](https://nusan.org/news/call-for-alumni-small-grants-asg-2025-proposal), an exciting opportunity designed for U.S. Government (USG) Exchange Alumni to enhance their professional skills while driving meaningful impact in their communities. The ASG 2025 program supports innovative, community-driven projects aligned with the thematic areas of combating illegal immigration, creating job opportunities, and enhancing entrepreneurial skills. This year, we received **35 impressive applications** from across all seven provinces of Nepal.

After a competitive selection process, one winner from each province has been selected to receive funding for their outstanding project ideas.

##### **Meet the ASG 2025 Grant Winners by Province:**
### 📍 **Bagmati Province**
* Santona Malakar (*IVLP-2024*) and Nabina Gyawali (*UGRAD-2014/15*)
* **चुलोको युवा-उज्यालो / Chulo ko Yuwa - Ujyalo:** By providing a platform to gain the essential knowledge of culinary, the project aims to empower the youth by providing training on culinary skills to become future entrepreneurs.
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### 📍 **Gandaki Province**
* Bhawana Bhandari (*CEE-2023*) and Prakriti Dhakal (*CEE-2022*)
* **उद्यम Shala: Enhancing Entrepreneurial Acumen:** The project aims to formalize and empower youth-led e-commerce ventures through the enhancement of entrepreneurial skills and awareness on law and technology.
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### 📍 **Karnali Province**
* Susmita Giri (*IVLP-2023*)
* **Lead with Language: English for Future Entrepreneurs:** By focusing on the significance of the English language, the project aims to provide practical English language training to bachelor-level students and prepare them to confidently prepare and pitch their business content in English.
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### 📍 **Koshi Province**
* Basanta Adhikari (*IVLP-2014*)
* **Educating and Empowering Students on the Values of Entrepreneurship and Economic Freedom:** By providing a platform to learn the essential entrepreneurial skills to students from government and private schools. The project focuses on empowering and supporting the students to become economically independent.

### 📍 **Lumbini Province**
* Arnab Chaudhary (*IVLP-2024*)
* **Deukhuri Udhyami Sangam (Deukhuri Entrepreneur Conclave):** By connecting the business leaders, government, and local entrepreneurs of the community. The project aims to support the youth and local entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses and raise awareness of entrepreneurship for a sustainable livelihood.
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### 📍 **Madhesh Province**
* Asish Thakur (*SUSI-2015*)
* **Shaping Youths in Entrepreneurship:** The project aims to empower local youths by transforming traditional family pickle-making skills into a source of income. Through targeted training in packaging, branding, and market readiness, young people from the community will be equipped to turn homemade pickles into sellable, professionally presented products.
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### 📍 **Sudurpaschim Province**
* Aayush Awasthi (*EIMUN-2024*) and Lal Bahadur Kunwar (*Hubert Humphrey Fellowship 2018/19*)
* **From Local to Global: Enabling Rural Producers for E-Commerce Success:** To foster local entrepreneurial growth, the project focuses on empowering youth through digital literacy. By providing training to use online platforms, the initiative seeks to help them showcase their products and expand their businesses across the nation.
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**Congratulations to all the winners!** These projects reflect the incredible potential of alumni to lead change and foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusion across Nepal.

Stay tuned as we follow their journeys and celebrate their contributions to civic and economic development.

Announcing the Winners of the Alumni Small Grant (ASG) 2025 Program!

### **About Nepal-US Alumni Network (NUSAN)**
The [Nepal-U.S. Alumni Network (NUSAN)](https://nusan.org/) unites U.S. Government (USG) Exchange Alumni from diverse backgrounds to foster collaboration, leadership, and innovation. NUSAN aims to create a positive societal impact while strengthening Nepal-U.S. relations. With continued support from the U.S. Embassy in Nepal, NUSAN actively engages in initiatives focusing on alumni networking, entrepreneurship, human trafficking, and youth empowerment.
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### **What is the Alumni Small Grant (ASG) 2025?**
The **Alumni Small Grant (ASG) 2025** offers USG Exchange Alumni in Nepal the opportunity to enhance their professional skills and support the U.S. government in addressing their current priorities and policies to combat illegal immigration, create job opportunities, and enhance entrepreneurial skills in Nepal. **The ASG should empower alumni to build a strong, active network that fosters regular engagement and meaningful collaboration. It should strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government to work together on activities that address shared goals and challenges.**

Funded by the [U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu](https://np.usembassy.gov/) and administered by NUSAN, the grant directly supports the project including innovative ideas to support the community and youth-focused projects. Selected proposals will receive guidance and mentorship from the NUSAN and U.S. Embassy Nepal teams to ensure successful implementation. 

### **Themes for ASG 2025**
##### The ASG applications must include any of these themes:
> -  **Combating Illegal Immigration:** Collaborate with community leaders, educational institutions, civil society, and local government to conduct workshops on raising awareness of illegal immigration while promoting effective strategies for prevention. Conduct research or surveys to understand the root cause of illegal immigration and develop strategies or policies to overcome it.
> -  **Creating Job Opportunities:** Enhancing youth employability through U.S.-Nepal joint initiatives that expand access to jobs. This includes leadership development, vocational training, and private-sector partnerships to connect youth to employment and self-employment opportunities.
> -  **Enhancing Entrepreneurial Skills:** Supporting local entrepreneurs by strengthening digital skills and helping them reach larger markets. Through U.S.-Nepal collaboration, create platforms for networking, financial literacy, and business development. Upskilling the digital competencies for the local entrepreneurs to showcase their ventures into the larger markets. 

### **Grant Details**
> -  **Number of Grants:** Seven (one per province).
> -  **Grant Amount:** Up to USD 1,000 (*disbursed in NPR as per the prevailing exchange rate on the contract date*).
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### **Key Timeline**
> -  **Application Opens:** April 21, 2025
> -  **Application Closes:** May 15, 2025
> -  **Selected Proposals Announcement:** May 22, 2025
> -  **Grant Performance Period:** Projects must be completed by August 30, 2025.
> -  **Narrative Report Submission:** Within 20 days after project completion.
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### **Eligibility**
#### Applicants must:
>
> - Be a USG Exchange Alumni and an active member of NUSAN.
> - Submit projects aligned with ASG 2025 themes.
> - Apply as individuals or teams (the team members must be USG Exchange Alumni).
> - Submit applications in English using the provided [Google Form](https://forms.gle/8rmLWFdL6U4ubqi97) and [budget template](https://bit.ly/asg-budget).

*Important Notes: Only Nepali citizens who are USG Exchange Alumni are eligible to submit proposals. Each applicant/team may submit only one proposal; multiple submissions will result in disqualification. Priority will be given to projects demonstrating provincial-level participation and collaboration.*
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### **Application Content**
#### Proposals must include:
> - Applicant Details
> - Project Title
> - Theme Alignment
> - Statement of Problem  (maximum 150 words)
> - Project Goal and Objectives (maximum 100 words)
> - Project Activities (maximum 300 words)
> - Sustainability Plan (maximum 200 words)
> - Project Timeline (maximum 100 words)
> - Project Budget (submitted using the ASG-2025 Budget template: [https://bit.ly/asg-budget](https://bit.ly/asg-budget))
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### **Apply Now**
To apply for the ASG 2025, please use the following Google Form: [https://forms.gle/oryX8B84zjFNmPEW7](https://forms.gle/oryX8B84zjFNmPEW7)

### **Evaluation Criteria**
NUSAN’s ASG selection team will use these criteria to evaluate all applications: Relevance to the theme; Purpose and Summary, Project Activities and Implementation Plan; Degree of Alumni Involvement; Impact of the Project; Sustainability; and Budget Narrative.

### **Contact information**
Questions about the grant application process should be directed to NUSAN at [info@nusan.org](info@nusan.org).

Call for Alumni Small Grants (ASG) 2025 Proposal

Nepal-US Alumni Network (NUSAN) hereby announces the Sixth Annual General Meeting, scheduled on December 14, 2024 , decided by the Executive Committee meeting held on November 8, 2024 (2081/07/23).
We look forward to your active participation and valuable input in the progress and strengthening of NUSAN.

NUSAN's Sixth Annual General Meeting

On the occasion of Global Entrepreneurship Week NUSAN, is excited to host a one-day event: NUSAN Alumni Entrepreneur Mela supported by the U.S. Embassy in collaboration with Kings College. This event provides a fantastic platform for USG exchange alumni to showcase their businesses, participate in insightful entrepreneur panel discussions, and enjoy live cultural performances.

If you're interested in connecting with like-minded entrepreneurs and being part of this vibrant event, mark your calendars!

Join us on November 23, 2024, Saturday, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Kings College, Babarmahal, Kathmandu.

NUSAN ENTREPRENEUR MELA 2024

Provincial Events

Projects

Events

The women and entrepreneurship development group will create a common platform for startups to demonstrate their minimum viable products. The program will conclude by building a network with potential investors, government and non-government representatives, future entrepreneurs, and current entrepreneurs. The variety of organizations and levels of experience will foster mentor-mentee relationships.

Alumni for Impact

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NUSAN 5th AGM

NUSAN 5th AGM

'Youths and Opportunities'

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Announcing the Winners of the Alumni Small Grant (ASG) 2025 Program!

Call for Alumni Small Grants (ASG) 2025 Proposal

NUSAN's Sixth Annual General Meeting

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NUSAN Quarterly Newsletter [April-June 2025]

NUSAN Quarterly Newsletter [January-March 2025]

NUSAN 6th AGM Report

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