As we celebrate our 19th anniversary, we want to express our deepest gratitude to all our well-wishers, partners, and supporters who have been instrumental in our journey. Your unwavering support, trust, and collaboration have not only fueled our mission at CREASION but inspired us to reach new heights. As we reflect on our anniversary, we want to take you through our major milestones.
Founded in 2005 by Aanand Mishra, the Center for Research and Sustainable Development (CREASION) Nepal was created to provide a platform for young and undergraduate students to enhance their skills in sustainable development through research-based initiatives. From our early years (2005-2009), we focused on incubation, outdoor activities, and volunteer programs, which laid the groundwork for the impactful work we do today.
In 2010, we launched Volunteer for Change (VFC), a program designed to promote effective volunteerism and provide internship opportunities for young people, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds. This initiative began a volunteerism revolution, encouraging community engagement and hands-on support.
The following years saw significant milestones, including our first international volunteer in 2011, who aided communities in Pokhara and helped translate educational materials. Through VFC, we organized various community clean-up efforts, including the Kanti Children Hospital initiative.
Between 2011 and 2015, international volunteers contributed to numerous community projects, including the construction of toilets and WASH-related activities.
The devastating earthquake in 2015 marked a pivotal moment for us. In response, we initiated the Rebuild for Change (RFC) program, which implemented climate-smart projects to assist communities in their recovery. We also established an emergency disaster response project to address immediate needs following disasters.
In 2017, the floods prompted us to create the Alliance of Disaster Relief, collaborating to support affected communities. Additionally, we engaged 55 French volunteers for school construction in Kakani and partnered with the Association for Nepal Synapse Self-Reliant Support in Japan (ANSSSJ) to rebuild schools damaged by the earthquake.
In 2019, we launched Recycler Saathi, a landmark project aimed at formalizing Nepal's waste management sector. This was followed by the Waste Workers Emergency Relief Project (WWERP) in 2020, addressing the challenges faced by waste workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our commitment continued with the Oxygen for Nepal campaign in 2021, providing vital medical equipment during the crisis.
In 2022, we implemented the Nepali Yuwa in Climate Action and Green Growth project, funded by the European Union, in partnership with Youth Innovation Lab and Restless Development. We also launched the Preventing Plastics in Nepali Rivers project in collaboration with various organizations to tackle plastic pollution.
In 2023, we initiated the four years Green Shift Nepal Project, funded by the European Union. Likewise, we implemented Mountain Clean-Up Campaign. CREASION has taken up the crucial role of coprocessing and recycling the waste collected from the mountains, for waste management. As we move forward into 2024, we are continuing our commitment to Project CAP (Collaborative Approach for Preventing Plastic Leakages in Rivers of Nepal), part of the PLEASE initiative supported by UNOPS and the World Bank.
In addition to our ongoing projects, we are expanding our thematic areas to include a stronger focus on biodiversity, air pollution, and climate change. By addressing these critical issues, we aim to create a more sustainable and resilient future for all by embracing the Collaborative Approach and Collective Leadership.
Through all these efforts, your support has been vital. Thank you for being an essential part of our story and for believing in a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
Thank You,
CREASION.