South Asia Partnership Nepal

What South Asia Partnership Nepal does

South Asia Partnership Nepal (SAP Nepal) is a Kathmandu-headquartered national non-governmental organization founded in 1985 that promotes good governance, social accountability, peace building, and economic empowerment for marginalized communities across Nepal. The organization works primarily with socially excluded populations including Dalits (Hill and Terai), the Musahar community, and the Chepang community, focusing on their rights to citizenship, land, education, and meaningful participation in local governance. Core programs include the Women Musahar Empowerment Forum (WoMEF) network of 32 groups with 1,525 members across four municipalities of Sarlahi district, the CSO capacity-building portfolio that has trained over 1,500 civil society organizations across 65 districts, the Full Moon Symposium knowledge-sharing policy advocacy forum, and project-specific interventions in social accountability tools (Citizen Report Card, Community Score Card, Social Audit, Public Hearing) developed through partnerships with SNV-Nepal and other implementing bodies.

SAP Nepal's underlying methodology rests on the proprietary REFLECT (Regained Focus on Enthused Reflection and Empowerment through Civic Training) approach, supplemented by codified social accountability toolkits, training manuals on linkage/networking/advocacy and people-based development, and over 20 publications on conflict and peace building. Programs are delivered directly through community mobilizers, mobile trainers, and field supervisors, and indirectly through Joint Coordination Committees at local, district, and national levels, in collaboration with local government bodies (Haripur, Barhathawa, Chandranagar, Basbariya municipalities) and implementing partners (Nepal Musahar Association, Tharu Women Upliftment Center, Social Awareness Center Nepal). The Full Moon Symposium serves as a recurring convening platform bringing together 50-100 civil society intellectuals, academicians, and professionals per event.

The organization's revenue model is entirely project-based grant funding from international development donors — no commercial products or services are sold. Confirmed funders include the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF, $220,000 disclosed), USAID via FHI360 (CS:MAP, 2016-2019), the European Union (Community Peace Building Program, 2010-2013), SNV-Nepal, CLO Canada (SEEDS program), World Accord Canada (SET program), the Canadian Cooperation Office Nepal, and most recently SOPAR Canada (2025 pilot for building capacity of small and medium NGOs across Madhesh Province). The organization is led by Chairperson Geeta Bhattarai and Executive Director Narendra Prasad Joshi, employs 34 staff, and operates exclusively within Nepal across at least eight districts.

Name

South Asia Partnership Nepal

Legal name

South Asia Partnership Nepal

Website

https://sapnepal.org.np

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

South Asia Partnership Nepal is a Kathmandu-based national NGO founded in 1985 that builds capacity of marginalized communities (Dalits, Musahar, Chepang) and 1,500+ civil society organizations across Nepal through grant-funded governance, social accountability, and peace-building programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Program & Project Implementation (TA Delivery) (BPADAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC), Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

Keywords

• Good governance services
• Social accountability programs
• Community empowerment initiatives
• Civil society capacity building
• Peace building programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kathmandu

HQ country

Nepal

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Project-based Grant Funding: SAP Nepal operates entirely through grant funding from international donors. Revenue is generated through implementation of donor-funded development projects focused on governance, social accountability, peace building, and empowerment of marginalized communities.
2. UNDEF Funding - Strengthening Gender-Responsive Local Government: 24-month project funded by United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) with grant amount of $220,000 for empowering Musahar women in local governance.
3. USAID/CS:MAP Funding: Five-year Civil Society Mutual Accountability Project (CS:MAP) supported by USAID and implemented by FHI360, contributing to strengthened enabling environment for civil society.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SAP Nepal delivers grant-funded development programs focused on good governance, social accountability, peace building, and economic empowerment for marginalized communities (Dalits, Musahar, Chepang) in Nepal. The organization runs capacity-building services for Civil Society Organizations across 65 districts and operates the Full Moon Symposium knowledge-sharing platform. Programs are funded entirely through international donor grants (UNDEF, USAID, EU, Canadian agencies) and include the Women Musahar Empowerment Forum, Community Peace Building Program, and social accountability tools development.

Product overview

South Asia Partnership Nepal (SAP-Nepal) operates as a leading National NGO established in 1985, offering a portfolio of programs and services focused on good governance, social accountability, peace building, and economic empowerment. The organization's core offerings include the Full Moon Symposium knowledge-sharing platform, multiple grant-funded programs (UNDEF, USAID/FHI360, European Union, Canadian funders) targeting marginalized communities, and specialized services for Civil Society Organization capacity building. Key programs include the Gender-Responsive Local Government initiative, Social Accountability tools development, Women Musahar Empowerment Forums (WoMEF), and various community empowerment programs. SAP-Nepal also provides consulting services in policy advocacy, stakeholder convening, and government engagement. The organization functions primarily as a civil society development organization rather than a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SAP Falcha: Knowledge management center of SAP Nepal, located at Babarmahal, Kathmandu, used for organizing civil society gatherings and Full Moon Symposium events.
• WoMEF

Products and services

• Full Moon Symposium (Knowledge Sharing Policy Advocacy Forum) A recurring platform organized on full moon days that brings together civil society, intellectuals, academicians, and professionals (50-100 subject experts per event) to discuss pertinent national issues through discussion sessions, documentary shows, and musical concerts with notable celebrity guests.
• Strengthening Gender-Responsive Local Government in Nepal UNDEF-funded 24-month project with $220,000 grant empowering Musahar women and strengthening their representation in local decision-making in four municipalities of Sarlahi district through empowerment, accountability, and multi-stakeholder partnership approaches.
• Civil Society Mutual Accountability Promotion (CS:MAP) USAID-funded five-year project implemented by FHI360 to foster legitimate, accountable, and resilient Nepali Civil Society, with SAP Nepal serving as national advocacy partner to strengthen enabling environment for civil society through policy advocacy and CSO capacity building.
• Social Accountability Tools and Processes (FRWSS Programme) Partnership with SNV-Nepal to develop and pilot Social Accountability tools including Community Score Card, Public Hearing, and Social Audit for sustained functionality of rural water supply systems in Dailekh and Jumla districts, with engagement of FEDWASUN and SEIU.
• Women Musahar Empowerment Forum (WoMEF) Forum established with 1,500+ Musahar women across 32 groups in four municipalities of Sarlahi district to empower the marginalized Musahar community through leadership development, advocacy for rights, and social accountability mechanisms.
• Socio-Economic Empowerment of Disadvantaged Society (SEEDS) Program focused on economic and social empowerment of Disadvantaged Groups through agro-based enterprise promotion, micro finance, local institution development, and health and education initiatives, funded by CLO Canada.
• Social-Economic Transformation (SET) Program for Disadvantaged Groups Program aimed at creating conditions for sustainable social harmony, peace, and socio-economic development through promotion of MDOs/MDGs, self-help community development, and community investment schemes, funded by World Accord, Canada.
• Promoting Peace and Democratization Process In Terai Madhesh Program to create an enabling environment for marginalized groups of Terai Madhesh to participate in constitution-making through advocacy, media mobilization, and consultation meetings, funded by Canadian Cooperation Office, Nepal.
• Community Peace Building Program Through Women Group Empowerment EU-funded program implemented in 21 VDCs of Banke, Bardiya, and Surkhet districts focusing on women group formation, peace education, livestock-based income generation, and conflict reconciliation with 164,396 direct beneficiaries (77% female) and 328,892 secondary beneficiaries.
• Support to Backward Community Initiative providing scholarships, educational materials, and livelihood support including improved cooking stoves to backward communities such as Musahar and Chepang through Trust Fund and donations, with operations in Chitwan District.
• Training, Mentoring and Coaching CSOs Capacity building service for Civil Society Organizations covering internal good governance, strategic planning, linkage, networking, advocacy, gender and development, program planning, and social accountability tools. SAP Nepal has trained 1,500+ CSOs across 65 districts.
• Capacity Building of Small and Medium NGOs of Nepal SOPAR Canada-funded pilot project providing organizational development training for 15 selected NGOs across Madhesh Province, implemented by SAP Nepal with Bala Vikasa as technical partner, marking SOPAR's first overseas intervention after 47+ years of work in India.
• Capacity to Constructively Engage with Government Service focusing on the supplementary and complementary role of NGOs in government interventions, including watch dog role and bridging function between right holders and duty bearers through joint monitoring, information sharing, and interactive dialogues.
• Capacity to Convene a Wide Range of Stakeholders Multi-stakeholder partnership service forming Joint Coordination Committees (JCC) at local, district, and national levels for holistic and sustainable development outcomes across government, civil society, and donor partners.
• Policy Reform and Implementation Advocacy Advocacy service to influence policy makers for reform in favor of deprived segments of society, with expertise in internal governance of NGOs, peace building, gender sensitive budgeting, and bio-gas promotion.
• Policy Review and Analysis Policy influencing service covering violence against women in politics, people in planning process, gender sensitive budgeting, citizen issues, civil society role in national development, and peace building and conflict resolution.

Quantifiable outcome

• 164,396 direct beneficiaries (77% female) from Community Peace Building Program
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Bala VikasacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2025Technical partner for SOPAR-BV 'Capacity Building of Small and Medium NGOs of Nepal' project. Collaborating with SAP Nepal and SOPAR Canada for implementing organizational development training program.
• Women in Information and Technology (WIIT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaboration partner for ICT Women's Conclave event celebrating International Women's Day. Also collaborated on Full Moon Symposium on Digital Advancements with focus on AI and Digital Disruption for youth development.
• Girls in Tech (GIT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Joint collaboration partner for ICT Women's Conclave event focusing on gender equity in ICT industries through discussions on self-endorsement, entrepreneurship, and corporate participation.
• Nepal Musahar AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Key collaboration partner for Musahar women empowerment programs. National Musahar Association and its provincial branches provide guidance and support for WoMEF formation, community mobilization, and advocacy for Musahar rights including citizenship and land rights.
• National Election Observation Committee (NEOC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021SAP Nepal is member of NEOC and has been engaged as National election observer since 2046 B.S., including first Constituent Assembly Election on 2065 B.S. Conducts election observation at local, provincial, and national levels.
• FHI360coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2016Implementing partner for Civil Society Mutual Accountability Project (CS:MAP) funded by USAID. Five-year project (Dec 2016 - May 2022) aimed at fostering legitimate, accountable, and resilient Nepali Civil Society. SAP Nepal served as national advocacy partner under 'Strengthening Enabling Environment' grants fund.
• SNV-NepalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2014Partner organization for Development and Piloting of Social Accountability tools for Rural Water Supply Services (FRWSS) Programme. Project duration September - December 2014 covering 11 Ilakas of Dailekh District. Also involved Federation of Water and Sanitation Users Groups in Nepal (FEDWASUN) and Sector Efficiency Improvement Unit (SEIU).
• Tharu Women Upliftment CentermajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2010Implementing partner for Community Peace Building Program in Bardiya district, working on women group formation, peace education, and livelihood programs.
• Social Awareness Center NepalmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2010Implementing partner for Community Peace Building Program in Surkhet district, collaborating on women group empowerment and peace building initiatives.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• World Vision International Nepal: Large faith-based INGO working on child welfare, governance, and community empowerment in Nepal. Similar grassroots implementation model and donor relationships but considerably larger.
• CARE Nepal: Large international NGO working on gender equality, social inclusion, and governance in Nepal with a much broader portfolio than SAP Nepal. Comparable donor base (UNDEF, USAID, EU) and similar marginalized-community focus, but operates at far larger scale.
• Oxfam in Nepal: INGO active in Nepal on governance, gender justice, and inequality, similar to SAP Nepal's thematic priorities. Operates at significantly larger scale and serves as both collaborator and competitor for donor-funded programming.
• Plan International Nepal: INGO focused on children's rights, gender equality, and inclusion in Nepal. Overlapping donor base and similar community-empowerment programming targeting marginalized populations, though broader in scope.
• Save the Children Nepal: INGO working on child rights, governance and inclusion in Nepal. Shared focus on empowerment of marginalized communities and multi-donor funding model similar to SAP Nepal.

Direct peers

• Search for Common Ground Nepal: Specializes in peacebuilding and conflict transformation with programs in Nepal directly comparable to SAP Nepal's Community Peace Building Program. Similar donor base (EU, USAID) and direct footprint in Banke, Bardiya, Surkhet.
• FHI 360 (Nepal office): Direct implementation partner on USAID's CS:MAP project. Comparable donor-funded civil society strengthening programming and shared institutional relationship with USAID.
• The Asia Foundation (Nepal): Works directly on governance, civil society strengthening, and policy reform in Nepal — the most direct thematic overlap with SAP Nepal's mandate. Comparable grant size and donor mix, including USAID programming.

Emerging players

• Restless Development Nepal: Youth-focused civil society organization with governance programming in Nepal. Comparable CSO capacity-building approach and donor funding model, but with a narrower youth-segment focus.

Regional players

• Nepal Dalit Society: National NGO focused on Dalit rights and empowerment in Nepal. Comparable constituency (Dalits, Musahar) and community-led empowerment model to SAP Nepal's WoMEF interventions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sapnepalorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-asia-partnership-nepal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about South Asia Partnership Nepal