DEPROSC-Nepal participated in an interaction session organized by the Central Bank of Nepal (NRB), where we shared our experiences and strategic approaches of implementing Financial and Digital Literacy programmes across Nepal. Over the decades, DEPROSC-Nepal has executed numerous initiatives aimed at empowering rural, semi-urban, and urban populations—particularly women, agro-entrepreneurs, marginalized communities, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). To date, over 300,000 individuals from diverse age groups have graduated through its various training sessions.

The primary objective of the session was to foster exchange of ideas and learnings between financial literacy–implementing NGOs and NRB-trained Financial Literacy Trainers. On behalf of DEPROSC-Nepal, Mr. Kailash Rijal, emphasized the importance of continuous handholding and follow-up support to ensure that financial and digital literacy translates into sustainable behavioral change. His presentation also underscored the need for a collaborative working modality that actively involves local governments, which is crucial for mainstreaming financial education. Such an integrated approach could play a vital role in addressing current challenges within Nepal’s financial system—such as reducing loan defaults, enhancing the productive use of remittances, and promoting investment for rural economic development.

In the same forum, Mr. Krishna Prasad Neupane, viewed that NRB can encourage bank and financial institutions to re-package their financial literacy trainings with present day requirements and suggested NRB to bring more stakeholders together like development agencies and private sector so that experts and resources are better coordinated.

The dialogue was hosted by the Governor’s Office, Financial Literacy and Inclusion Department of NRB. It was attended by the Executive Director, Acting Executive Directors, and senior officials of the bank. During the event, Executive Director, Mr. Kiran Pandit acknowledged the concerns raised by trainers and affirmed that NRB will consider these inputs constructively, exploring ways to integrate them into the national financial education framework for the broader benefit of Nepalese citizens.