Strengthening Child Club Members and Children from Koshi Province

Recognizing children as important stakeholders in decisions affecting their lives, Consortium-Nepal Koshi Province Committee, in collaboration with Good Shepherd International Foundation Nepal, organized a two-day capacity-building and interactive programme with children of Koshi Province on 3–4 October 2026 in Biratnagar. The programme brought together 19 child participants from different districts and child networks, creating a space for children to learn, share their experiences, and collectively identify priorities for strengthening child participation in the province.

The programme focused on strengthening children’s understanding of child rights, child participation, advocacy, civic space, and the different levels of participation, while also exploring the history and significance of children’s rights. Through interactive discussions and group activities, children reflected on the existing opportunities and challenges for meaningful participation in decision-making processes at local and provincial levels.

A key discussion during the programme was the absence of a province-level child club/network in Koshi Province, despite the existence of provincial child platforms in several other provinces. Children discussed why a dedicated provincial structure is important to ensure that their voices are organized, represented, and heard in matters concerning children across the province. The discussion also highlighted the need to strengthen existing local child clubs and create stronger linkages among child representatives across districts.

The programme provided children with an opportunity to move beyond learning about their rights to identifying practical actions for advocacy and engagement with provincial stakeholders. Based on the discussions, children jointly developed a set of recommendations and priorities addressing child participation, child-friendly governance, strengthening child clubs, and creating a stronger provincial mechanism for children’s representation.

The recommendations were compiled into a child-led suggestion document and formally handed over to the provincial government, creating a direct channel for children’s perspectives to reach decision-makers. By placing children at the centre of the discussion, the programme reinforced the principle that children are not merely beneficiaries of policies and programmes, but rights holders and active participants in shaping decisions that affect their lives.

The initiative marked an important step toward strengthening a coordinated and inclusive child participation mechanism in Koshi Province and creating greater space for children to engage meaningfully in provincial governance and advocacy.