Our Story

At Centre for Social Change (CSC), we are committed to fostering a responsive federal government and a better policy environment in Nepal. Through enhanced vigilance, rigorous research, and policy advocacy, we strive to address the most pressing governance challenges and strengthen state-society relationships.

Over the years, CSC has focused on creating harmonious spaces within society that promote peace, social cohesion, and trust among communities. Our efforts extend beyond communities to include governance components at local, provincial, and national levels. Despite significant political and structural changes in Nepal over the past decades, citizen-government engagement remains limited. Deep-rooted social inequalities in resource distribution, access to justice, and meaningful participation in policy formulation often create fertile ground for conflict.

To address these challenges, CSC launched the Governance Monitoring Centre (GMC) Nepal in collaboration with The Asia Foundation. GMC aims to strengthen state-society ties by generating knowledge, evidence, and policy recommendations to improve governance and reduce conflict. Through advanced qualitative and quantitative research, GMC monitors analyzes, and disseminates findings on critical governance issues.

Our Goals

Demystification of existing and potential grounds of conflict in governance

Investigating existing and potential sources of conflict in governance by reviewing laws, policies, and institutional mechanisms.
The focus areas include Natural Resources, Development, Politics, and Ethnicity & Culture.

Deconstruction of elements associated with conflict

Using multiple research approaches, delving into the root causes of conflicts, their impact on communities, the actors involved, and the trends shaping these conflicts.

Systematic tracking of conflict management/ resolution/ transformation processes

Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of current laws, policies, and community-based mechanisms for conflict management, resolution, and transformation.

Evidence Analysis & Knowledge Dissemination

Analyzing data from diverse sources and sharing findings through reports, policy briefs, infographics, and media engagements to inform stakeholders and the public.

Phase I

Building the Foundation

In its first phase, GMC Nepal focused on three critical areas of governance: Health, Education, and Migration. Through rigorous studies, policy analyses, and media monitoring, GMC Phase I successfully brought together experts, government representatives, civil society, and local citizens to discuss pressing issues in these sectors. The initiative produced research reports, blog articles, and infographics that provided valuable insights for policy advocacy.

The success of Phase I was rooted in CSC’s five years of research and community-based interactions, which highlighted the need for stronger state-society relationships. By fostering transparency and community involvement, GMC Phase I laid the groundwork for effective public participation in Nepal’s new federal governance structure.

Phase II

Expanding Horizons

Building on the success of Phase I, GMC Nepal launched Phase II with a renewed focus on four key governance areas: Natural Resources, Politics, Development, and Ethnicity & Culture. These areas are foundational to effective governance and are deeply interconnected across Nepal’s federal structure.

Phase II aims to deconstruct existing and potential conflicts by shedding light on policies, laws, and execution processes. Through advanced research methods and civic engagement tools, we are committed to monitoring and reporting on the elements that contribute to governance conflicts. Our goal is to strengthen state-society cohesion and promote effective public participation in governance.

Phase III

Renewed and Revitalized

Phase III marks a renewed and revitalized chapter in GMC’s journey, one shaped by a sharper focus on governance systems and the conflicts that emerge within them.

At its core, Phase III continues to engage with four critical governance arenas: Development Governance, Political System Governance, Ethnocultural Governance, and Natural Resource and Environmental Governance. These are not abstract themes confined to policy discussions; they are everyday realities which influence resources allocation, public service delivery, representation, and trust in institutions.

Phase III seeks to address a pressing challenge, limited documentation and mediation of governance conflicts. Too often, disputes remain under-examined, insufficiently addressed through dialogue, and disconnected from sustained multi-stakeholder engagement. Phase III responds by strengthening systematic conflict documentation, building local capacities for dialogue and mediation, and encouraging citizens to participate more proactively in governance processes. Moreover, Climate concerns are integrated within this broader governance lens, ensuring that resilience and accountability remain central to decision-making.

A defining feature of Phase III is its dynamic knowledge and civic engagement platform. Building on the widely appreciated blog series launched in Phase II, this phase expands the platform as a living space for reflection and exchange. More than a publication, the blog series have emerged into a democratic forum where public opinions, grievances, lived experiences, and intergovernmental challenges are articulated and understood. Its growing reach reflects an increasing demand for informed and constructive dialogue.

Through rigorous research in priority and emerging areas, Phase III generates evidence that strengthens policy advocacy. The initiative produces diverse knowledge products, including reports, blogs, infographics, and policy briefs, drawing from credible national and provincial sources to ensure accuracy and reach. Moreover, this phase also closely monitors governance trends, particularly the lawmaking processes of Nepal’s federal and provincial parliaments. By tracking the registration, amendment, progress, and outcomes of draft legislation, it offers insight into evolving accountability mechanisms and institutional performance.

Phase III is not merely a continuation of past work. It is a forward step toward a more participatory, resilient, and responsive governance landscape in Nepal.

Our Members

Behind GMC stands a dedicated team of governance researchers and practitioners. Their expertise, commitment, and sustained effort ensure that GMC does more than observe governance challenges. CSC extends its heartfelt gratitude to these individuals for their invaluable contributions, which continue to inspire and guide the work of GMC Nepal in its mission to strengthen state-society relationships.

Our Story