The main responsibility for the development, social transformation, and prosperity of any country is its government. Different countries have different stories of development: some are highly developed, some are still developing, and others have not developed much at all. Because of power struggles, some countries don’t get along very well. Nowadays, there’s a lot of competition Centered on science and technology.

The Alternative Foundation has emerged as an alternative power of social activists and numerous scholars from in and outside the country; this is for social transformation. It is established as a global leading organization for humanity. This organization registered with the Government of Nepal in 2020 and is affiliated with the Social Welfare Council (SWC), Kathmandu. This organization boosts nature, science, and humanity to achieve an equal progression of human beings globally. It constantly advocates for a science-based approach, scientific culture, and scientific society. We work for good governance, social inclusion, identity and integrity, equity and equality, unity and solidarity, freedom of expression and movement, political participation, inclusive sustainable development, enhanced climate and community resilience, and natural resource and knowledge management through research, innovation, capacity building, and policy advocacy. The Foundation’s guiding principles are preserving nature, upholding science and technology, and promoting humanity.

The Alternative Foundation has emerged as a global alternative force for social transformation, bringing together social activists, prominent development practitioners, researchers, and innovators. The Foundation is an independent, non-profit think-tank organization headquartered in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Foundation is dedicated to developing scientific culture and society by promoting nature, science, and humanity together. In today’s globalized world, challenges include preserving nature and achieving humanity; thus, we all have an important role to play and bear responsibility for addressing those challenges and issues. These challenges and problems can be addressed through coordination and collaboration between governments, politicians, policymakers, civil society organizations, the private sector, development partners’ researchers, practitioners, the media, and others through policy reform and physical engagement. Hence, the Foundation supports and works with governments, world leaders, CSOs, researchers, and innovators to tackle the world’s challenges and ensure humanity. Foundation believes that ideas, innovations, and initiation can change the world.

Vision

A world with a scientific culture, a safe nature, and equal progress for human beings.

Mission

To promote good governance, justice, peace, and humanity globally.

Goals

Develop a scientific society through research, innovation, and policy reform.

Objectives

To contribute to the social transformation and equal progress of human beings through R&D and experimentation.
To advocate through evidence-based policy discourse, research, publications, transformative campaigns, and networking for an equitable society.

1.1 Completed Programs/Projects

1.1.1 Established R&D Centre

Alternative Foundation has established the R&D Centre at the headquarter of the foundation in Baneshwor, Kathmandu in 2022. The main purpose of this R&D Centre is to provide a platform and support to researchers and nnovators for creating new ideas and visions, working for innovation, and enhancing science and technology to achieve justice, peace, and prosperity all over the world. This project is funded by the government of Nepal.

1.1.2 Established Brain Gain Centre

The endeavor of tapping into the expertise and commitment of basically, Nepali Diaspora’s experts and intellectuals has to do with the broader national goals, and with the cooperation of the communities of Diaspora experts, ‘a Brain Gain Centre’ has been established at the Alternative Foundation’s headquarter in 2023. The
Centre will gather information toward documenting personal information, expertise, current engagements, and interest among Diaspora experts and their commitments to the nation. Connection, communication, collaboration, and contribution to the nation are the main objectives of the Centre. However, this centre will develop networks and collaborations with international scientists, thinkers, researchers, writers, and experts to
achieve the organization’s vision.

1.1.3 Corruption Reflection Nepal 2023 (CRN 2023)

Governance is a main pillar of prosperity. Although Nepal is a very poor country in terms of governance, corruption is a main challenge for Nepal. So, Alternative Foundation has identified the project ‘Study and Published Corruption Reflection Nepal’ (CRN 2023) focusing on corruption and conducting public audits based on findings at the local, provincial, and central levels. This is an annual initiative, and the first episode of the report has been published in 2023. This initiative contributes to showing the fact of corruption in the ountry, and it would be the groundwork for the anti-corruption movement. The Foundation believes that this project directly contributes to reducing corruption and building a prosperous Nepal.

1.1.4 Policy Audit (Niti Parikshan 2080)

Policy study and discourse are other very important objectives of the Foundation. This activity directly impacts the federal, provincial, and local governments and their existing policies, programs, and budgets. The major objective of this initiative is to sensitize and influence policymakers for the formation and development of scientific policies, programs, and budgets. Another thing is to develop and promote the scientific culture through government policy, program, and budget and gradually eliminate the program and budget spending billions of rupees in an unproductive sector. The policy study and audit report has been published in 2023.

1.1.5 Published Science Journal named ‘THE ALTERNATIVE ‘

The Science Journal includes four themes: science and technology, research, and development, social transformation and innovation, and nature preservation and protection. The journal’s goals are to knowledge farming and promote scientific culture, research, equitable, prosperous human beings, and a nature-protected scientific society by encouraging, motivating, and collaborating with stakeholders at the national and international level. The first episode of the journal has been published in 2023. This journal will be published annually.

1.1.6 1st Nepal Science Summit on Policy Discourse

‘1st Nepal Science Summit-2022’ (NSS-12:12) has been organized on policy discourse for ‘policy shift’ in Kathmandu on July 14, 2022. The objective of this submmit is to explore and expedite wider ways to sensitize planners and policymakers to form and develop productive and evidence-based policies and planning, databased decision-making, and exucution for the social justice, prosperity, and equal progression of human beings in Nepal. This is an annual initiative. This initiative bring policymakers, planners, implementers, and experts from the different government agencies to discuss them on the same platform. Ultimately, it is our ambition to contribute for the development of scientific culture in Nepal.

1.1.7 Established Agriculture Innovation Centre

The Agriculture Innovation Centre has been established at Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal in 2023. This project is funded by the provincial government of Bagmati Province. The project is jointly conducted by AFU and the Alternative Foundation aiming to promote research and innovation in the agriculture sector.

1.1.8 Organizational Development (OD)

The first step of the organization’s development program has been completed. Two episodes of capacity building training for the board, advisors, experts, and staff have been conducted at Dhulikhel on July 15, 2022 and May 22-23, 2023, and a five-year strategy plan has been developed. Along with the strategy plan, the organization’s financial policy, administrative policy, HR policy, and code of conduct have been finalized. We’re looking the world from a completely different perspective. In this connection, our focus is on Nepal, aiming to establish a unique identity and make valuable contributions to global humanity. Though it might seem easy initially, we are well aware that achieving success will require a sustained and challenging effort, involving the overcoming of numerous obstacles. Therefore, right from the outset, we are mindful of potential challenges and are taking proactive steps to address them. Considering these factors, we’ve concluded that our primary emphasis on building a strong foundation,
ensuring its durability, and practicing effective governance. Under the umbrella of establishing this foundation, we have laid out the necessary policies and regulations from the start. We have organized the essential resources, including furniture, equipment, and transportation, needed for our operations. Through the formation of a skilled team comprising board members, staff, experts, consultants, and volunteers, we have harnessed capable human resources. However, the work is an ongoing process; it’s never truly completed. Without this continuous effort, there would be no need to consider new initiatives. Thus, our initial efforts are focused on laying the essential groundwork. As time progresses, continual enhancement, expansion, and development of this foundation will remain imperative.

1.2 Ongoing programs/ Projects

1.2.1 R&D Innovation Program

R&D innovation program has been running since its establishment. The main purpose of this R&D Centre is to provide a platform and support to researchers and innovators for creating new ideas and visions, working for innovation, and enhancing science and technology to achieve justice, peace, and prosperity all over the world.

1.2.2 Brain Gain Program

Brain gain program has been running and recently data base has developed of the diaspora Nepali experts and intellectuals. Connection, communication, collaboration, projection, and contribution to the nation are the focus objectives of the Centre. Simultaneously, collaborations with international scientists, thinkers, researchers, writers, and experts have been going on. The first initiative of this program is to publish success stories from developed countries as a journal.

1.2.3 Review of SDG Indicators

The review of SDG indicators is another ongoing project of the foundation. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015, outlines 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets. Nepal has prioritized these goals and crafted a roadmap to achieve them. As part of its broader objective to become a developing nation by 2026, Nepal emphasizes the significance of innovation and digitalization. For this purpose, The Aletrnative Foundation has been reviewing the indicators for Sustainable Industrialization and Fostering Innovation (SDG 9.3 and 9.5) for the Government of Nepal, National Planning Commission (NPC), partnering with the Asia Foundation. A comprehensive report will be prepared, and the project will be completed by 2023. Similarly, we expect to review the other SDG indicators and work on SDG-related research to achieve sustainable development goals in partnering with the different agencies.

1.2.4 Organization Development (OD)

The second phase of the organization’s development program is ongoing. We’re looking forward the world from a completely different perspective. Our focus is on Nepal, aiming to establish a unique identity and make valuable contributions to global humanity. Therefore, right from the outset, we are mindful of potential challenges and are taking proactive steps to address them.

1.3 Competency of the Organization

Executive Board

Mr. Prakash Bikalpa is a thinker-writer and founder president of the Alternative Foundation. Under the leadership of Mr. Bikalpa, seven board members have been serving for the Alternative Foundation. He is a young and dynamic social activist. He has good experience in the planning and policymaking of the federal, provincial, and local governments of Nepal. He has been engaging in the social sector for the last fifteen years; he has led many national and international organizations till now. He has several books to his credit, including DESH KINA BANENA, SAMRIDHHIKO ROADMAP and ANTI-THESIS which include many research papers on various issues.

RK Dhungana is an academician, youth leader, writer, and founder general secretary of the Alternative Foundation. He is an activist for positive thinking, sustainable development, and social transformation. He has held leadership positions at many academic institutions in the last fourteen years. Mr. Janak Giri serves as treasurer of the Alternative Foundation. He has an academic and intellectual personality. He has been working in the fields of good governance, development, peace, human rights, and social transformation for 30 years.

Mr. Om Prakash Lamichhane, Mr. Sangam Khaiju (PhD), Mr. Amar Bahadur Lama (PhD), and Ms. Teeka Dhakal are serving as board members of the Foundation. They are dynamic and enthusiastic professional and social leaders. They have been working in the professional and social sectors for two decades. (See details at https://alternativefoundation.org.np/.)

Program advisory and expert team

There are seven members of the program advisory team and thirteen members of the expert‘s team of professionals for the different programs and projects. Professors, doctors, thinkers, writers, researchers, and other sectoral professionals are working for the foundation. (See details at https://alternativefoundation.org.np/expert/.)

Work Division and Portfolio Performance

Program Department

The Program Department is fully responsible for developing and implementing programs, plans, and strategies for the organization. This department has been working pro-actively with a highly professional team to achieve the VMGO of the foundation.

Research Department

The research department is basically responsible for running the R&D Centre and focuses on the research to identify issues for the local and global policy discourse and movement. A team of experts, including thinkers, writers, researchers, academics and scholars and development professionals.

Policy Department

The Policy Department has been conducting policy studies and dialogues for the policy shift in Nepal. The series of policy dialogues has been conducted with policymakers, youths, and sectorial experts since its establishment. IT department The IT Department basically works on the development of tools and technology to achieve the VMGO of the foundation. The Foundation wants to use scientific methods for social reform and transformation through the optimal use of information technology. Foundations believes that technology can be a tool for social transformation and contributes to the progression of the human being.

Finance Department

The Finance Department of the Foundation ensures proper financial management and governance and complies with all applicable rules and regulations of the Foundation, the Government of Nepal, and partner organizations. The department is responsible for the execution of financial policy, the management of accounts, the mobilization of funds, the timely disbursement of funds, accounting, reporting, auditing, and keeping the financial record. The foundation’s financial functions are governed by a separate financial management and procrument policy.

Administration Department

The Alternative Foundation works with a separate administrative department to provide comprehensive administrative support to all the departments, including planning and managing administrative tasks related to procurement, implementation of activities and events, administering all laws and policies of the Foundation, hiring and managing staff, filing and record-keeping, and internal administration. The Foundation works according to its administration policy.

Financial Management:

Alternative Foundation has a system for maintaining its books of account under the modern principle of a computerized system. This system has been applied across all projects and programs run by Alternative Foundation. The internal audit takes place once a year. The final audit takes place each year after the end of the fiscal year and is done by the Charterd Accountant (CA). To support Alternative Foundation’s objectives and its work, various funding agencies, from bilaterals to international organizations and national NGOs, and from individuals to corporate sectors, as well as the Nepal Government, have been providing grant since 2021.

Staff and portfolio:

Mr. RK Dhungana has been leading all staffs and programs as Executive Director for the Alternative Foundation. Under the leadership of Mr. Dhungana, nine core staffs have been working creatively for the foundation. Ms. Shamjhana Shrestha, director, finance department; Mr. Drona Parajuli, director, IT department; Mr. Sajan Shrestha, admin officer; Ms. Bhoilentika Ghimire, graphic designer; and Aarohi Shrestha, communication officer, and some others are the core staff of the Alternative Foundation. All staff have a minimum of three- to fifteen-year work experience. (See details at https://alternativefoundation.org.np/.)

Contact Detail

ALTERNATIVE FOUNDATION

Baneshwor, Kathmandu
Phone: +977-1-4574909
Email: info@alternativefoundation.org.np, af.alternativefoundation@gmail.com
Website: alternativefoundation.org.np