समाचार पोष्ट (अंग्रजीमा): Nepal ToT: Strengthening SBC Integration across Government Systems

Kathmandu: In a major step towards institutionalizing Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) across Nepal’s development system, UNICEF Nepal, together with government partners, conducted a national SBC Training of Trainers (ToT) in Lalitpur from 3 to 5 June 2026, bringing together more than 30 government officials and UNICEF SBC personnel.

Jointly organized by UNICEF Nepal, the National Planning Commission (NPC), the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Federal Affairs and General Administration and provincial planning commissions and training academies, the three-day programme marked the beginning of building a national pool of SBC trainers who will support the integration of SBC into government policies, plans and programmes.

From Insights to Action

The training emphasized practical skills in SBC planning, programme design, implementation, monitoring, and facilitation. Participants also engaged in interactive exercises to apply behavioural insights to real-world challenges in health, nutrition, education, WASH, and social protection.

Deputy Representative Jee Hyuh Rah with her opening remarks.

“Social and behaviour change is not an add-on; it is a critical enabler of effective programming across sectors,” said Jee Hyun Rah, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Nepal, highlighting the role of SBC in achieving lasting impact.

Facilitators Pranab Rajbhandari, Shreejana KC and Arun Rai guided participants through a participatory, adult-learning approach, equipping them with the skills to translate community insights into responsive SBC actions through practical training facilitation.

Growing Recognition of Behavioural Drivers

Officials stressed that development outcomes increasingly depend on people’s behaviours alongside infrastructure and services.

Naba Raj Dhungana, Chief of Social Development Section at NPC, noted “the importance of institutionalizing SBC into government planning and implementation frameworks for lasting development outcomes”.

Naba Raj Dhungana Director of Social Development Section at NPC addressing the event.

Hari Prasad Chapagai, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration, said, “Local governments are at the forefront of promoting positive behaviour change, and this ToT programme is very crucial for cascading SBC to the local level.”

Khim Bahadur Kunwar, a participant and the Secretary of the Provincial Planning Commission, Lumbini, described the training as highly impactful and expressed optimism that its results would be visible in the coming months through improved planning, implementation, and development outcomes.

Way Forward

Participants working in group.

Following the training, participants are expected to lead similar sessions in their provinces, working with training academies, planning commissions, and local governments. SBC modules will also be integrated into regular government training systems to sustain capacity development.

“Congratulations to all participants on completing this important training. You now carry the responsibility to apply and scale your SBC knowledge across federal and provincial institutions,” said Shiva Ranjan Poudyal, Programme Director at NPC.

SBC Chief Humberto Jaime delivering his closing remarks.

Speaking at the closing, Humberto Jaime, Chief of the SBC Section at UNICEF Nepal, expressed confidence in the newly trained cohort. “I’m sure the knowledge and skills gained will help transform behaviours, systems, and institutional practices, driving positive change at local, provincial, and national levels.”