Social Lab - Eliminating Educational Poverty in Nepal

Children in school — but not learning

Only half of Grades 3, 5 & 8 meet the minimum standards in Nepali and maths. 21% repeat Grade 1. Poor quality, not just poverty, drives dropout. (UNICEF)

Youth locked out — without pathways

Over 1 in 3 young Nepalis are NEET, not in education, employment, or training. Up 11+ percentage points since 2008. (ILO, ILOSTAT)

Women excluded —
at every turn

Only 27.6% of Nepali women are in the formal workforce. 28% of girls are married before 18, closing the door on school and opportunity alike. (World Bank / ILO, 2024; Plan International, 2022)

About us

Best Non-profit Project for School Age Education – MAIA

Social Lab Nepal is a non-profit organisation tackling educational poverty and social inequality through social innovation. We work directly with children, youth, and women from Nepal’s most marginalised communities, particularly those failed by systems, overlooked by policy, and underserved by resources.

Vision

A Nepal where birth no longer determines destiny.

Mission

To drive educational equity and social inclusion for children, youth, and women in Nepal’s most marginalised communities through social innovation, community-led action, and evidence-based practice.

The 4 Intervention Areas

Learning That Keeps Children in School

Youth Who Lead, Not Just Participate

Women With Pathways, Not Just Potential

Systems That Sustain Change

Our work in numbers

Since 2023

3500+ Children Reached

Elevating learning outcomes through holistic school support interventions

50,000+ Nutritious Meals Served

Strengthening student wellbeing, boosting attendance, and improving learning readiness

20+ Female Fellows

Demonstrating tourism career pathways for women in Nepal and their participation where they are left behind.

20+ Public Schools Strengthened

Improved learning environments, resource access, and community-driven school initiatives

Impact Across 5 Provinces

School Support interventions now active across 5 of Nepal’s 7 provinces, expanding equitable access and systemic impact

10+

Local Government Integration

Integration and adoption of School Support Interventions in local government educational plans and policies

180+ Teachers Capacitated

Equipped with behavioural science tools and effective pedagogical strategies to transform classroom culture

250+ Families Engaged

Parents strengthened through holistic family literacy and empowerment sessions, fostering supportive home learning environments

Impact Videos

Project Portfolio

Social Lab has partnered with the Swiss Foundation for Solidarity in Tourism (SST) in launching its pilot project “Mountain is Hers Too (MoHer) to develop tourism career pathways for young women in Nepal.

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Social Lab has partnered with Everest Bank Limited to deliver 6-months long FSM project in Bagmati and Madhesh Provinces under the bank’s CSR initiative, supporting over 600 students across the region.

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Social Lab has partnered with Books for Change Switzerland to deliver a 9-month FSM project in Bagmati Province, fostering life skills and creativity among rural children at Shree Satkanya Basic School.

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Social Lab, in collaboration with MADEC Australia and Samsara, implemented a two-year School Support Program across three provinces of Nepal to promote holistic, inclusive, and lifelong learning for disadvantaged children.

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Social Lab partnered with Muktinath Bikash Bank to support the ongoing FSM intervention at Shree Saraswati Basic School in Bagmati Province.

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Social Lab partnered with SOS Children’s Village to support the youth development and leadership under SOS Children’s Village component projects.

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Social Lab partnered with Shine Resunga Development Bank to support the ongoing FSM intervention at Shree Balsudhar Basic School in Bagmati Province.

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Our Key Programs

Fixing Invisible Barriers to Education and Readiness (FIBER)

FIBER (Fixing Invisible Barriers to Education & Readiness) is a school-integrated learning readiness programme designed to identify and address the hidden barriers that prevent children from being ready to learn. Through teacher-led wellbeing diagnostics, daily classroom action systems, safe learning environments, and community engagement, FIBER strengthens students’ physical wellbeing, emotional safety, participation, and overall readiness for learning in public schools across Nepal.

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Recreational Therapy (RT)

Recreational Therapy is an interactive and engaging tool designed for primary-level students in public schools to support the cognitive and emotional development of primary school children through musical and recreational intervention.

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Financial Stimulation Model (FSM)

To instill financial awareness and cultivate healthy financial habits from an early age, we have developed a Financial Stimulation Model for Children. This model aims to raise awareness among children about the value of money, promote good behavior through a reward mechanism, and encourage reading habits.

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Mid-day Meal Program

Our Mid-day Meal Program ensures that children receive nutritious meals during school hours, promoting better attendance, concentration, and overall well-being.

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Civic Literacy for Young People (CLYP)

Civic Literacy for Young People (CLYP) is an experiential civic education programme designed to strengthen democratic awareness, critical thinking, and responsible citizenship among public secondary school students in Nepal. Through interactive activities such as mock elections, Gaun Sabha simulations, media literacy exercises, debates, and rights-based discussions, CLYP helps young people understand civic rights, responsibilities, governance processes, and ethical leadership while building the skills needed for informed and constructive participation in democratic society.

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The Mountain is Hers Too (MoHer)

The Mountain is Hers Too (MOHER) is a women-focused initiative under Social Lab Nepal’s Social Entrepreneurship Program, designed to support young women in building sustainable livelihoods in Nepal’s tourism and trekking sector. Launched in late 2025 with support from the Swiss Foundation for Solidarity in Tourism (SST), the programme equips women with practical skills, entrepreneurship opportunities, confidence, and pathways to economic participation, helping them overcome barriers and thrive in an industry traditionally dominated by men.

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Latest Updates

The Invisible Pack:

Women on the trail carry more than their backpacks

Sikai Chautari:

Building Financial Literacy Through Reflection

Little Leaders Handbook:

Building essential life skills through fun-based learning

Financial Stimulation Model

How children are learning financial skills for Life

Bridging Hunger and Learning:

Why Mid‑Day Meals Matter in Nepal

Solo Trek to Mardi Himal

A journey of MoHer Fellow

Our Partners

Bringing changemakers together to drive innovation and impact

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Testimonials

Hear what our students have to say.

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Sajina Sunuwar

Class 2
Shree Bal Sudhar Basic School

I truly enjoy FSM very much; it has become one of my favorite times of the month. Today, I bought a painting color that I’m excited about. It’s such a beautiful color, and I can already imagine all the things I can create with it. I plan to paint trees, houses, and maybe even a serene landscape that captures the beauty of nature. Painting has always been a relaxing and creative outlet for me, and having this new color feels like I can make so much more art.

What makes it even more special is that I can share this painting color with my friends. I know they will love it as much as I do, and it will be so much fun to create art together. Sharing things with the people I care about brings me so much joy.

Aarosh Nagarkoti

Class 5
Shree Saraswoti Basic School

The FSM Marketplace organized by Social Lab has been fruitful for me in recent days. I can now buy essential stationeries and necessities on the marketplace with my earned tokens, by myself.

Till now I have bought copies, pencils, colors, watches, and even toys for my brother. I have also learned to work hard to earn the tokens, save the money for future use, and purchase only the necessities from the FSM. In the upcoming days, I aim to earn the highest token and buy the necessities

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Simson Bashyal

Class 3
Shree Bal Sudhar Basic School

I like FSM because I can buy copies, pencils, toy cars, and many more with my points. When FSM takes place I want to buy everything, the colored pencil, the sign pen, key rings, handkerchief, etc, but unfortunately, my points are not enough and I always have to return the items.

Last time I couldn’t even buy anything, But this time I am so happy I could buy myself a car, even though it’s a small car I am very happy and grateful. I hope I can buy more things in the future with my points. I will be a good boy and complete all the assignments so that I can gain more points.

Manish Limbu

Class 4
Shree Kritipur Secondary School

Today I bought a sign pen, a copy, and a pen. I liked today’s goodies very much. I saved y points for the last FSM marketplace for next month. For the next FSM marketplace, I will buy fancy copies, fancy pens, and water bottles if there will be any. I will work very hard to gain good points so that I will be able to buy everything.

I even plan to share my goodies with my cousin. His school doesn’t have an FSM marketplace. That’s why I want to buy it for him too. I want FSM every month so that my hard work will be seen. I even deposited some points for next time.

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Santoshi Tamang

Class 5
Shree Kritipur Secondar School

I enjoyed FSM today like every month. I have been waiting since yesterday to purchase goodies. I purchased a pink fancy diary today. I liked it. It was worth 300 points. Luckily I had enough points to purchase it. I even bought a gel pen for my homework and classwork. My teachers and parents are very proud of me because I am a good student.

For the next FSM, I am hoping for watches and bottles. I will work extra hard to earn points and purchase new bottles and watches. But I also understand the importance of saving. I saved some tokens for the future too.

Salina Nagarkoti

Class 5
Shree Saraswoti Basic School

I have never imagined that art could be created through materials like leaves and beans. The class was vert engaging and productive. I personally loved coloring with watercolor and sponges.

These types of art classes have helped to develop our skills and it was very fun to work collaboratively with my peers. We will surely ask our principal to conduct these classes in the coming days.

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Kunsang Syangtan

Class 5
Shree Saraswoti Basic School

I really enjoyed the art session. It made me focus on the small details. Above all forms of art that were taught to us like leaf art, bean art, and color art, I really enjoy doing line art.
Line art is also easy to execute and satisfying to draw. I wish this sort of class would happen once every month. It was refreshing and enjoyable.

Alish Nagarkoti

Class 7
Shree Saraswoti Basic School

Previously, meals were only provided to students in ECD to class 5, and those meals were brought from nearby restaurants. Senior students had to either bring lunch from home or eat at nearby hotels, which often led us to eat unhealthy snacks like chatpate, packaged juice and junk food. The food we brought from home would also get cold by lunchtime.

Now there is a proper kitchen in the school where meals are freshly cooked. Students from classes 6, 7, and 8 now also receive meals, just like the younger classes. We no longer feel hungry or uncomfortable in our stomach, and the food is much more satisfying.

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Anta Narayan Dahal

Teacher & Meal Coordinator
Shree Saraswoti Basic School

Mandira Nagarkoti

Class 8
Shree Saraswoti Basic School

The acticities we participated in during the SDGs class were both new and engaging. We especially enjoyed creating action plans, brainstroming ideas, and learning about localization. These activities gave us valuable insights into environmental issues and climate change.

Additionally, we gained a deeper understanding of the Global Goals and discovered ways we, as students, can contribute to achieveing them.So far, we’ve had four camps, and we are looking forward to afew more before the academic session concludes.

Children in school — but not learning

Youth locked out — without pathways

Women excluded — at every turn

About us

Vision

Mission

The 4 Intervention Areas

Our work in numbers

Since 2023

Elevating learning outcomes through holistic school support interventions

Strengthening student wellbeing, boosting attendance, and improving learning readiness

Demonstrating tourism career pathways for women in Nepal and their participation where they are left behind.

Improved learning environments, resource access, and community-driven school initiatives

School Support interventions now active across 5 of Nepal’s 7 provinces, expanding equitable access and systemic impact

Integration and adoption of School Support Interventions in local government educational plans and policies

Equipped with behavioural science tools and effective pedagogical strategies to transform classroom culture

Parents strengthened through holistic family literacy and empowerment sessions, fostering supportive home learning environments

Impact Videos

Project Portfolio

Our Key Programs

Fixing Invisible Barriers to Education and Readiness (FIBER)

Recreational Therapy (RT)

Financial Stimulation Model (FSM)

Mid-day Meal Program

Civic Literacy for Young People (CLYP)

The Mountain is Hers Too (MoHer)

Latest Updates

Our Partners

Testimonials

Women excluded —
at every turn