Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report, Nepal 2024

Nepal’s civil society has come forward with an alternative assessment of the country’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), amplifying the voices of the marginalised and excluded. The CSOs’ Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report 2024, published by the NGO Federation of Nepal (GCAP Nepal), the Secretariat of the Nepal SDGs Forum, casts a critical but constructive lens on the country’s SDG journey, championing the principle of Leave No One Behind.

Read the Nepal VNR Report 2024 here.

The civil society-led “spotlight report,” also known as the “citizen’s report,” offers a grassroots-informed counterbalance to the government’s official VNR, bringing into focus the realities of Dalits, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities such as the Raji and Mushahar communities, Muslim women, LGBTIQ+ individuals, youth and women farmers.

Despite limited resources, civil society organisations (CSOs) across Nepal — supported by partners like Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and the Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN) — mobilized extensive consultations across district, provincial, and national levels. Their collaborative effort prioritised qualitative data and citizen-generated evidence to reveal how development is being experienced by Nepal’s most vulnerable communities.

Key SDGs Under Review

The report scrutinizes Nepal’s progress on eight critical goals:

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

It finds measurable progress in areas like gender inclusivity in education, enhanced infrastructure in schools and broader access to healthcare. However, the report also identifies deep-rooted structural barriers — including caste-based discrimination, harmful social norms and corporate influence in the health sector — that continue to impede equitable development.

“Marginalised communities face financial and systemic obstacles to accessing quality healthcare,” the report warns, noting that corporate capture of the health system has made services unaffordable for many.

Gaps and Calls for Action

The review emphasizes that:

• Persons with disabilities lack adequate infrastructure and policy support.
• Disaster preparedness remains weak, especially for vulnerable populations.
• Public investment in education and health is insufficient.
• Data systems to track SDG progress are weak and underutilised.
• Government accountability and inclusion mechanisms need strengthening.

It calls for greater inclusivity in decision-making, especially at the local government level and advocates for multi-stakeholder partnerships involving the state, civil society, and the private sector. The report also recommends increased public spending, improved disaggregated data collection, and more transparent governance systems to drive equitable SDG implementation.

Youth Leading the Way

One of the most significant highlights of the report is the engagement of over 900 youth stakeholders through Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) and partner organizations. These initiatives empowered young people across various regions with knowledge on the SDGs and the VNR process, building their capacity for civic participation and fostering strong networks among youth-led organizations.

“Youth are not just beneficiaries of the SDGs; they are change agents. This process has not only informed them but also mobilized them to demand accountability and drive local action,” said a representative from YAN.

Charting a Path Forward

Nepal’s civil society spotlight report reinforces the importance of bottom-up development strategies, citizen-driven accountability and inclusive governance in achieving the 2030 Agenda. As the country progresses toward its next official VNR, this CSO-led review stands as both a mirror and a guide — reflecting real-world gaps while illuminating pathways for inclusive, just, and sustainable development.

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