Provincial Youth Dialogue on Federalism Held in Birendranagar

Birendranagar, Surkhet, 08 June 2026

A provincial-level Youth Dialogue on Federalism was successfully conducted in Birendranagar, Surkhet, the capital of Karnali Province, with the objective of enhancing shared understanding among young people regarding Nepal’s federal governance system, intergovernmental relations, inclusive governance, and fiscal federalism while strengthening their engagement in policymaking and good governance processes.

The event was organized through collaboration between the Provincial and Local Governance Strengthening Programme (PLGSP/UNDP) and the Federalism and Localization Center (FLC). The dialogue brought together 53 participants from different districts of Karnali Province, including youth, students, social activists, elected representatives, and civil society actors.

The program created a platform for extensive discussions on federalism implementation, inclusive democracy, intergovernmental relations, public service delivery, accountability, and the role of youth in governance processes. Special emphasis was placed on GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion) throughout the thematic sessions.

Using interactive methodologies including group work, role-play exercises, and open dialogue sessions, participants explored the practical implementation of federal governance, the roles and responsibilities of provincial and local governments, and pathways for meaningful youth participation in policymaking processes. Participants emphasized that representation alone is insufficient and highlighted the need for genuine inclusion and substantive participation.

Throughout the discussions, participants stressed the importance of strengthening inclusive, accountable, and effective governance systems that respect social, linguistic, and cultural diversity. Particular attention was given to ensuring meaningful participation of women, Dalits, Muslims, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized communities across all levels of government.

Thematic Sessions

The program featured multiple thematic sessions designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of federal governance and its practical application. The session on Understanding Federalism introduced participants to the foundational concepts, principles, and institutional structures of Nepal’s federal system and was facilitated by FLC Chairperson and federalism expert Dr. Khim Lal Devkota.

A Responsibility Mapping Laboratory facilitated by Constituent Assembly Member Prahlad Lamichhane focused on clarifying functional responsibilities among federal, provincial, and local governments. In addition, participants engaged in practical exercises related to budget principles and priority setting within federal governance structures.

Discussions on Inclusion and Federalism: Beyond Representation, facilitated by former National Assembly Member Prakash Pantha, explored the distinction between representation and meaningful empowerment within democratic systems.

The program also included a Youth Accountability Innovation Laboratory facilitated by Mohd Ayub, where participants explored practical solutions for youth-led governance reforms and accountability innovations.

Similarly, FLC Senior Program Coordinator Krishna Kumar Sah facilitated a Provincial Coordination Council simulation exercise under the broader theme of intergovernmental relations, providing participants with practical exposure to coordination, negotiation, and decision-making processes among different tiers of government.

The concluding session synthesized the collective learning from the dialogue and enabled participants to collaboratively develop a Provincial Youth Federalism Charter that reflected shared priorities, aspirations, and recommendations emerging from the discussions.

Observations and Participation

The program was moderated by Advocate Lumana Tuladhar Upreti. Distinguished observers and guests included Honorable Rajiv Bikram Shah, Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning of Karnali Province; members of the Karnali Provincial Assembly including Tek Raj Pachhai, Urmila Bishwokarma, and Santoshi Shahi; Mayor of Birendranagar Municipality Mohanmaya Dhakal (Bhandari); secretaries and representatives from various provincial ministries and agencies; and other relevant stakeholders.

Looking Forward

According to FLC Executive Director and former parliamentarian Prakash Pantha, the dialogue series forms part of a broader national initiative aimed at providing youth across all seven provinces with opportunities for learning, dialogue, and leadership development on federal governance, intergovernmental relations, inclusive democracy, and accountable governance.

Recommendations and conclusions collected from provincial dialogues will ultimately be consolidated and presented to policymakers through a National Youth Dialogue Conference.

As part of the ongoing Youth Dialogue Series on Federalism, similar dialogues have previously been conducted in Janakpur (Madhesh Province), Biratnagar (Koshi Province), Hetauda (Bagmati Province), Pokhara (Gandaki Province), Deukhuri (Lumbini Province), and Dhangadhi (Sudurpashchim Province), completing the provincial dialogue series across all seven provinces.

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