Partnership Strategy

The concept of partnership approach evolved systematically over time within CARE Nepal. Beginning with a project approach and direct implementation of delivery till 1995, CARE Nepal moved towards involving non government organizations and community based organizations as its development partners in implementing its projects. The first partnership strategy was formulated in 1996 after which there have been series of revision to improvise it to the fast changing social and political scenario of Nepal. CARE Nepal defines partnership as “a dynamic and evolving relationship that results from putting into practice a set of principles. It is based on shared vision, goal, resources, mutual trust and accountability to address the underlying causes of poverty and social injustice.”

CARE Nepal not only encourages, but also strongly adheres to principles of shared vision and goals, mutual trust, mutual accountability, commitment to equity and diversity, interdependence, sharing of resources, respect for differences and learning and sharing for successful partnership. The partnership strategy of CARE Nepal is driven by its objective ‘to be a part of social movement to address the underlying causes of poverty and social injustice. Refer Partnership strategy


Partners in Development
CARE Nepal works through formal and informal partnerships with communities, local organizations, local and national governments and the private sector. It also cooperates with other international and national development agencies.

Partnering with local institutions has proven to be an important means of increasing the reach and sustainability of CARE programs. Implementing activities through local institutions, particularly local NGOs, has the double benefit of providing services to beneficiaries while increasing the institutional capacity of the implementing organization.

CARE Nepal works through formal and informal partnerships with communities, civil society groups, NGOs and the private sectors. It establishes strong partnerships with the Nepali Government at the national, regional and local levels, to ensure that development activities complements national initiatives and are in accordance with official development plans and policies. CARE Nepal is currently working in partnership with about 80 NGOs, 1000 community based organizations and with national level federations and networks. CARE Nepal has worked with over 6,000 community groups. These include women's groups, mothers groups; saving and credit groups, user groups that manage shared resources such as water, forests. CARE Nepal works with rural communities to increase their capacity to plan, manage and implement activities on their own. Capacity building has been an efficient and effective method to ensure sustainable development. CARE Nepal places special emphasis on involving women, "dalits" (historically traditionally, socially discriminated “lower caste" or untouchable caste") and marginalized groups in local development processes.

CARE Nepal has worked with over 6,000 community groups. These include User Groups that manage shared resources such as water and forests and Women's Groups.

With resources and planning now decentralized to local government, CARE is working very closely with district, village and municipal governments, in addition to community groups. CARE places special emphasis on involving women, Dalits (people from "low caste" groups) and landless groups in local development processes.

Partnering experiences to date have yielded several lessons learned. Partnering support should include both financial and non-financial assistance, the latter in the form of technical assistance and/or institutional strengthening. To avoid conflicts, it is important of select partner organizations with similar objectives and strategies.

Small community-based NGOs offer a number of advantages as partners, as well as having the greatest need of support. Finally, as each party brings its skills and/or resources to what are essentially a collaborative effort, it should always be remembered that there are opportunities for learning on all sides.