For Environment, Democracy and Livelihoods
Climate Policy Initiative – India (CPI), Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies (SIAS), and ForestAction Nepal (FAN), with support from IDRC, came together for the event ‘Unpacking and Bridging the Financial Barriers to Empower Women-Led Enterprises in Nepal’ on 22 January, 2026. Stakeholders from financial institutions, private companies, academic and research organisations, and women-led enterprises were also present.
The event aimed at not only unpacking persistent financial barriers but also identified practical, ecosystem-based pathways to improve inclusive financing for women-led and home-based enterprises. It convened researchers, policymakers, financial institutions, women entrepreneurs, and development partners to critically examine the systemic constraints limiting financial access for women-led enterprises (WLEs). The discussion placed particular emphasis on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and forestry, where women’s enterprises play a crucial role in livelihood resilience, yet remain structurally underfinanced. The event concluded by reaffirming that enabling women-led enterprises is not a social add-on, but a strategic investment for sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient economic growth in Nepal.
