Rupa Rijal, 19, owns a Climate Smart Enterprise named 3W Venture (Waste, Wise, and Wonder). Her company creates eco-friendly and functional products using natural fibres like corn husk, pine needles, elephant grass. Products include wall hangings, tea coasters, pen marker holders, discs, mats, hotcases, and decorative materials. To regulate the use of plastic materials, to preserve and pass on traditional culture and skills to future generations, to assist in the development of government policies and laws governing plastics, and to engage and encourage young people to become sustainable, eco-friendly entrepreneurs, according to Rijal, who recently completed her ISc Ag (Animal Science) and is preparing for entrance for a bachelor now. “In fifth grade, I was taught to weave under project work".

I was unable to learn to knit or mate at the time, despite extensive instruction. Perhaps because I was not interested,” she admits. “But by the time I was in eighth grade, I realised that plastic is the primary cause of environmental pollution. I used to reuse plastic bags and combine them with corn husks to create discs and wall hangings.” She applied for Climate Smart Entrepreneurship Season 2, organised by CREASION in 2023, with help from seniors including Swastika Chaudhary and Abhinandan Basnet. After being chosen as one of the top 20, she followed the advice of mentors. After a lot of hard work, from business brainstorming to starting a business.

She was selected in the top six, encouraging her to register. Subsequently, the business was registered and started. She intends to expand her business by training 10 more women in the coming days. As housewives in society use their free time during the day to produce materials, this business will continue to operate sustainably. On the other hand, it is not as simple for her as one might believe to turn a business plan into a business while also studying at the age of 18.

“However, continuous hard work, dedication, support from family, mentors, and the enthusiastic support of CREASION Nepal have brought us this far,” she adds. She also emphasises that no job is too small or too large. However, it all depends on how much passion and attachment one has for the work. She considers Nepal the diamond of natural resources.

“Self-reliance/independence in Nepal will increase if we can do business at the lowest possible cost by maximising the use of these resources. Instead of running businesses or looking for opportunities in their home country, today's generation is more interested in searching for opportunities abroad,” she says. “Therefore, encouraging and engaging youth in entrepreneurship will help Nepal curb this situation.”