Shreyashi Bista, Urusha Lamsal, Rekha Badi, and Pushkar Badi brought a wealth of diverse experiences, spanning gender equality advocacy in forestry, digital promotions, and grassroots activism against caste-based discrimination. Though their leadership capacity was initially shaped more by personal experiences than formal roles, they were united by a shared vision and unwavering passion for change.
Shreyashi and Urusha co-led the Female Foresters Network Nepal, advocating for gender equality in Nepal’s forestry sector. Meanwhile, Rekha and Pushkar, from the historically marginalised Badi community, highlighted the unique challenges faced by Badi women. Already vulnerable due to systemic discrimination, they were disproportionately affected by climate change. Motivated to create meaningful change, the team designed a project to empower the Badi community through leadership development and sustainable climate adaptation initiatives.
The Badi community has long endured social marginalisation and economic hardships. Women are particularly vulnerable due to their exposure to climate risks such as floods and landslides. Many were unaware of the environmental threats they faced or the government schemes intended to support them. Recognising this gap, the team devised a project focusing on leadership training, climate education, and sustainable adaptation strategies.
Despite their commitment, the team lacked structured leadership experience. The British Council’s Youth for Climate Action (YCA) project played a pivotal role in addressing this through mentorship and guidance. With the support of the ‘Gender and Climate Grants’—delivered in partnership with Nepal’s largest youth network, the Association of Youth Organisations Nepal (AYON)—the team refined their vision into a structured, community-driven initiative. YCA mentors provided invaluable insights into project management, stakeholder engagement, and conflict resolution, ensuring that the team’s efforts aligned with community needs. Since November 2022, YCA has trained 150 young people in social leadership while supporting local climate initiatives.
The team engaged 17 young volunteers from the Badi community—13 women—delivering climate awareness sessions in their native language for better accessibility. These volunteers then interviewed 30 Badi women to identify climate-related challenges, culminating in a solution-focused workshop. Bringing together Badi women, youth, community leaders, and local government representatives, the workshop provided a platform for women to articulate their concerns and seek tangible support.
By the project’s end, the community had forged stronger ties with local government, which pledged to integrate Badi concerns into local policies and budgets. Reflecting on her transformation, Shreyashi noted:
"In just one month, I changed from anxious and impatient to calm and resilient—from a follower to a leader, a trainee to a trainer."
Through mentorship and hands-on experience, the team evolved into empathetic and strategic leaders, now equipped to drive future community-led initiatives.
