Our Work
What We Do
Bridging the gap between state and communities
In its one and a half decades of work in the region, NEMAF has focused on governance, inclusion and access to services — bridging the gap between the state and communities by creating a critical mass of youth and producing knowledge.
In the pre-federalism phase, NEMAF worked on the accountability of local units and raised citizen awareness of rights and responsibilities. It organized debates and discussions across Nepal on constitution-drafting issues — federalism, inclusion, proportional representation, citizenship and language policy.
In post-federal Nepal, NEMAF facilitated multi-stakeholder dialogue to strengthen federalism, and advocated, lobbied and assisted in drafting and implementing many bills by working closely with provincial assembly members and provincial and local governments.
Four Pillars of Our Work
Strengthening Governance
The local government is the entity most connected to citizens’ daily lives — meant to deliver basic services accessibly. Studies show local governments in Madhesh face problems of transparency, absenteeism, delays and bribes. Since its inception, NEMAF has run programs to improve the relationship between service providers and citizens. In collaboration with DANIDA HUGOU and Governance Facility Nepal (2011–2018), it worked to improve relations between service providers — village development committees, wards, schools, health posts and police stations — and citizens across Madhesh.
Immersion Courses
NEMAF organizes immersion courses to create a critical mass — a vibrant civil society that strives for a cohesive relationship between society and the state. A well-informed, proactive civil society is instrumental in holding the state accountable. Each week-long residential course involves 25 youth from the grassroots of Madhesh — with a preference for Dalit and Muslim participants and at least half women. Eight batches have been completed so far.
Research and Publications
NEMAF studies the social, political and contentious dimensions of Nepal and Madhesh — the politics of representation, local governance, armed movements, the Madhesh movement, and marginalization and exclusion. It produced the booklet “Politics of Representation in Nepal,” conducts an annual household survey on local governance, and publishes the Nepali-language journal Madhesh Adhyayan and the “Madhesh Manthan” book series, along with translations reflecting on Madhesh’s society, politics and economy.
Dialogue, Discussion and Policy Research
NEMAF has held discussions on topical issues at various levels since 2007. It currently organizes a monthly “Madhesh Discussion Series” in collaboration with Martin Chautari and runs a provincial dialogue group to create a conducive environment for policy-making in Madhesh. A Policy Outreach Center has been opened with KUSOM Policy Lab under Kathmandu University.
Explore Our Publications
Journals, books and survey reports documenting the society, politics and economy of Madhesh.
View Publications