YI‑Lab launches UDAAN to train 45,000 young Nepalis in digital skills

KATHMANDU: Youth Innovation Lab (YI‑Lab) has launched the Unleashing Digital Acceleration and Ambition of Nepali Youth (UDAAN) project to connect young Nepalis with technological opportunities.

The four‑year programme aims to equip approximately 45,000 young people with digital skills for employment and entrepreneurship, while offering financial support and expert guidance to outstanding participants seeking to turn concepts into viable businesses. Funded by the European Union (EU), the project is led by YI‑Lab in partnership with Heifer Project Nepal (HPN), NAAMII and Women in Animation Nepal (WIAN).

Operating across all seven provinces, UDAAN will provide financial assistance for 420 young people to establish enterprises and offer 800 higher‑education graduates apprenticeship placements in the private sector. Innovation hubs will be set up in 14 municipalities across Madhesh, Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces to improve youth access to opportunities. The initiative will also hold policy dialogues to address barriers and pursue reforms to better connect young people with the digital economy.

The project comprises four components: Pathshala, Karyashala, Karmashala and Neetishala. Pathshala will deliver free instruction in subjects such as artificial intelligence, coding and animation. Karyashala will organise provincial and national hackathons and entrepreneurship bootcamps across all seven provinces to help turn entrepreneurial ideas into active businesses. Karmashala will place graduates in private‑sector apprenticeships to develop practical skills. Neetishala will seek policy change by integrating technical subjects such as coding and artificial intelligence into local government curricula to strengthen youth‑focused technical education.

EU ambassador to Nepal Veronique Lorenzo said young people in rural areas are deprived of opportunities. “Still, those with limited access outside the Kathmandu Valley have not been able to connect with opportunities,” she said. “The situation is similar for vulnerable groups. Unfortunately, the same holds true for women, who make up 50% of the population of the country I represent.” She said she was confident the project would help underprivileged youth gain technical knowledge and access opportunities.

At the launch in Kathmandu, young participants expressed interest in acquiring the digital skills essential to them.

YI‑Lab Executive Director Pradip Khatiwada said the lack of opportunities is the main challenge facing young Nepalis and that the project aims to make them technically skilled and link them with opportunities to contribute to the economy. “It is not enough to simply say there are no opportunities; someone needs to do something,” he said. “That is why we took the initiative ourselves.”

Programme Director Goma Karki said nationwide activities will now be rolled out to reach youth and connect them with opportunities through technology.