European Union marks International Youth Day in Nepal with major initiatives

August 12, Kathmandu: The Delegation of the European Union to Nepal marked International Youth Day 2026 on Wednesday in Kathmandu, organizing a full-day program connecting three flagship events: the Erasmus Mundus Pre-Departure Orientation, EU Youth Fest 2026, and EU Youth Alumni Day.

Addressing over 1,500 participants, EU Ambassador to Nepal Véronique Lorenzo emphasized the crucial role of youth in driving national development and announced major financial investments to support digital empowerment across all seven provinces.

​The EU Delegation officially launched two new grant initiatives worth a combined EUR 1.91 million (approximately NPR 335.8 million) to advance digital skills, entrepreneurship, and innovation among Nepali youth across all seven provinces, specifically targeting young women and marginalized communities.

The first project, Creating Opportunities for Youth in Digital Economy (CODE), is implemented by Swisscontact, Restless Development, and the Robotics Association of Nepal.

The second project, Unleashing Digital Acceleration and Ambition of Nepali Youth (UDAAN), is carried out by Youth Innovation Lab, Women in Animation, Heifer Project Nepal, and NAAMII.

​Additionally, Ambassador Lorenzo felicitated 42 Nepali scholarship recipients—comprising 22 women and 20 men—under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree program for higher studies in EU member states in fields including cybersecurity, public health, journalism, renewable energy, and sustainable construction.

The interactive youth festival also featured hands-on sessions in emerging technologies like AI tools, 3D modeling, animation, and drone robotics, while EU Youth Alumni Day provided a platform to align joint initiatives on climate action, quality education, and green growth.