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
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.
Using multiple research approaches, delving into the root causes of conflicts, their impact on communities, the actors involved, and the trends shaping these conflicts.
Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of current laws, policies, and community-based mechanisms for conflict management, resolution, and transformation.
Analyzing data from diverse sources and sharing findings through reports, policy briefs, infographics, and media engagements to inform stakeholders and the public.
GMC 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.
The success of GMC Phase I was made possible by the dedication and expertise of its team members, who contributed significantly to the initiative’s achievements. 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.
Past members:
- Shuvam Rizal
- Raunak Mainali
- Shradha Khadka
- Kalpana Rana Magar
- Nishchal Khanal
- Dibesh Manandhar
- Nitu Rauniyar
- Rahul Roy
GMC 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.
