Organizer: National Cooperative Federation of Nepal (NCF)
Pulchowk, Lalitpur
Venue: Heritage Garden, Sanepa, Lalitpur
Program Date: 13–14 Magh 2082 (27-28 Jan. 2026)
1. Background
Youth are the backbone of national development and an essential force for innovation, transformation, and progress. In Nepal, where 42.56% of the population is between 16–40; mobilizing youth capacity is not just an opportunity but a strategic national imperative. Today’s youth are digitally empowered, socially conscious, and eager to lead change. Their familiarity with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital platforms, robotics, cloud systems, big data etc. positions them at the forefront of the country’s shift toward a modern, technology-driven economy.
Despite this potential, challenges such as unemployment, lack of acknowledgement of youth potential, lack of income opportunities, foreign migration, forceful migration for employment, limited access to technology, and insufficient skill-based education hinder progress. A coordinated national effort, linking government, cooperatives, the private sector, and academia, is urgently needed to create an enabling environment where young people can pursue entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation.
2. The Cooperative Movement of Nepal
Cooperatives are one of Nepal’s largest socio-economic forces, contributing to employment, enterprise development, financial inclusion, and local economic resilience. With more than 32,000 cooperatives and over 10 million members, the sector plays a vital role in socio economic transformation of it's members, enabling communities, supporting small businesses, and empowering marginalized groups. Cooperatives have become important platforms for youth entrepreneurship, local value chains, and technology-enabled enterprise models.
2.1 About the National Cooperative Federation of Nepal (NCF)
National Cooperative Federation of Nepal (NCF) is the apex organization representing all types and levels of cooperatives across Nepal. Established in 1993 under the Department of Cooperatives in Kathmandu, NCF has been continuously engaged in strengthening and promoting Nepal’s cooperative movement. It serves as a vital bridge between the cooperative sector and government bodies, working to create an enabling environment for cooperatives and to position the cooperative sector as a strong pillar of the national economy alongside the public and private sectors. NCF is also an active member of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), and the ICA-Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP), and had also the representation in the Board.
NCF prioritizes youth and women empowerment, entrepreneurship development, and employment creation. The Federation, in partnership with Kathmandu University, introduced Nepal’s first-ever ‘Diploma in Cooperative Management,’ course, strengthening professional capacity in cooperative leadership and management.
To modernize the sector, NCF promotes digital transformation including quality software use, data governance, and cyber security policies. It also supports and promotes value chain development, branding, sales outlets for cooperative products. NCF works closely with federal, provincial, and local governments to advance policy development, SDG alignment, and international cooperation.
3. Significance of the Program
Youth and technology are complementary forces that together drive innovation and economic transformation. Connecting youth creativity with digital tools can generate new opportunities for enterprise, employment, and cooperative growth.
Significant employment opportunities can be generated through technology-smart agriculture, particularly when linked with agro-tourism, organic farming, and related sectors. However, substantial efforts are required to increase production, promote agricultural mechanization, strengthen marketing systems, and develop efficient value chains. If all stakeholders work collectively and with genuine commitment, cooperatives in Nepal can play a leading role in initiating and promoting these transformative efforts.
However, many youths still lack access to youth-friendly technology, skill-based training, and supportive policies, leading to migration and missed opportunities. Stronger coordination among the government, cooperatives, and private sector is critical to promote technology-enabled entrepreneurship and youth leadership.
The conference provides a national platform to uplift youth leadership in technology-friendly enterprises and expand the role of cooperatives in advancing innovation, employment, and economic empowerment. It supports Nepal’s increasingly digital Gen Z population by promoting technological adoption, skill development, good governance, and economic inclusion.
4. Theme
‘Youth Leadership in Technology-Friendly Enterprises’
5. Objectives
Major Objective:
To identify and promote the potential and leadership of youth in technology-friendly entrepreneurship.
Specific Objectives:
- Promote innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship to identify employment and enterprise opportunities.
- Prepare policy and institutional recommendations to advance a youth and technology friendly cooperative ecosystem.
- Strengthen collaboration between technology providers, cooperatives, and development partners.
6. Participants
Approximately 250 participants, including:
- Youths engaged in cooperatives
- Representatives from the Government of Nepal, private sector, and partner institutions
- University and college students
7. Proposed Sessions
Day 1:
Opening Session: mainly on Cooperatives from tradition to technological transformation
Keynote speech on: Youth Leadership in Technology-Friendly Enterprises
Panel Discussion: Role of Youth in Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation
Story Telling: Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship through Cooperatives
Networking Session
Day 2:
Panel Discussion: Technology and Youth in Cooperative Transformation
Panel Discussion: National Perspective on a Youth and Tech-led Economy
Voices of Youth: Let’s Listen, Understand and Work Together
Closing Session and Networking
8. Estimated Budget and Sponsorship
The program budget will follow NCF’s annual planning framework with flexibility for adjustments. Sponsorship and partnership will be mobilized from the Government of Nepal, cooperative organizations, private sector, development partners, and international agencies. A formal proposal package will be shared with potential supporters.
9. Expected Outcomes
- Increased youth participation and leadership in cooperatives
- Promotion of technology-enabled cooperative enterprises
- Stronger collaboration among government, private sector, and cooperatives
- Recommendations for policy and legal reforms
- Enhanced exchange and adoption of innovative technologies