Project summary

In Nepal, approximately 12,000 buffaloes and millions of chickens are slaughtered daily for meat, with 70% of the consumption concentrated in the Kathmandu Valley. Despite the high demand for buffalo and poultry meat, there is a lack of organizations advocating for animal welfare and promoting plant-based food alternatives. A significant issue is the inhumane transportation of live animals from rural areas to Kathmandu, often using overcrowded vehicles designed for goods, without any animal welfare standards in place.

This project aims to raise awareness and promote advocacy for the welfare of buffaloes and chickens, focusing on improving transportation conditions and ensuring the adoption of animal welfare standards. It will engage consumers, farmers, and stakeholders to advocate for policy changes and train farmers on better practices. The project will also include educational programs in schools to promote plant-based diets and raise awareness about animal welfare. Given the recent government agreement with China to export buffalo meat, there is an urgent need for advocacy efforts to safeguard the welfare of these animals.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

The primary goals of this project are to:

1. Raise awareness about the welfare of buffalo and poultry in Kathmandu, Nepal, particularly focusing on the inhumane conditions during transportation and slaughter.

2. Advocate for animal welfare standards to be adopted, especially during the transportation of live animals.

3. Educate consumers on the importance of animal welfare and the role they play in improving conditions for farmed animals.

4. Promote plant-based food options as an alternative to meat consumption, in order to reduce the demand for animal products and improve overall animal welfare.

5. Engage and train farmers in better animal welfare practices, providing them with the knowledge and resources to improve the conditions for their livestock.

6. Encourage the adoption of animal welfare policies and protocols at the government level, ensuring long-term improvements for buffaloes and chickens in Nepal.

How will you achieve them?

The project will achieve these goals through a combination of the following actions:

1. Awareness Campaigns: Conducting public awareness campaigns in the Kathmandu Valley to inform consumers about the importance of animal welfare and the negative impacts of current practices.

2. Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with policymakers, animal welfare organizations, and other stakeholders to advocate for the implementation of animal welfare standards, particularly during the transportation of live animals.

3. Farmer Training Programs: Organizing training sessions for farmers on better animal welfare practices, with a focus on humane transportation, handling, and general care.

4. Educational Programs in Schools: Introducing educational initiatives in schools to promote plant-based diets and the importance of animal welfare, starting from a young age.

5. Collaboration with the Government: Working closely with government officials to push for stronger animal welfare policies and protocols, particularly in light of the recent government agreement to export buffalo meat to China.

6. Community Outreach: Reaching out to local communities, including consumers, to emphasize their role in improving animal welfare and to encourage them to make more conscious choices regarding their food consumption.

By combining awareness-raising, advocacy, education, and policy change, the project aims to significantly improve the welfare of buffaloes and poultry in Nepal and create lasting change

How will this funding be used?

The funding for this project will be used to support various key activities aimed at improving the welfare of buffaloes and poultry in Kathmandu, Nepal. Specifically, the funds will be allocated to the following areas:

1. Awareness Campaigns and Public Outreach (2800 dollars): A portion of the funding will be used to design and implement public awareness campaigns in Kathmandu Valley. This will include creating educational materials, advertisements, and media outreach (such as posters, social media content, and public service announcements) to inform consumers about the importance of animal welfare and the negative impact of current practices.

2. Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement (1250 dollars): Funds will be used to organize meetings, workshops, and conferences with key stakeholders, including policymakers, animal welfare organizations, and other advocacy groups. These events will aim to create dialogue around the adoption of animal welfare standards, particularly for the transportation of live animals, and to push for stronger policies and protocols.

3. Farmer Training Programs (2000 dollars): The funding will support the development and delivery of training sessions for farmers on improving animal welfare practices. This includes the preparation of training materials, covering topics such as humane animal handling, safe transportation practices, and overall animal care.

4. Educational Programs in Schools (600 dollars) : Funds will be allocated to create and implement educational programs in schools to teach students about plant-based diets and the importance of animal welfare. This will involve developing curricula, conducting workshops, and potentially distributing educational materials to schools across Kathmandu.

5. Collaboration with the Government (1000 dollars): The project will use part of the funding to collaborate with government bodies, helping to facilitate discussions and meetings to advocate for the development of animal welfare policies. This funding will also be used to support research and advocacy efforts in response to the recent Nepal-China agreement on buffalo meat exports.

6. Monitoring and Reporting (229.50 dollars): Funds will be used to monitor and evaluate the project’s impact, including conducting surveys, collecting data on animal welfare practices, and reporting on the progress of policy advocacy. This will help ensure the project’s goals are being met and provide transparency to stakeholders.

By allocating the funds across these key activities, the project will be able to effectively raise awareness, advocate for change, and improve the welfare of buffaloes and poultry in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

Our NGO was founded by professionals with over more than five years of experience dedicated to improving the welfare of animals in Nepal. Through extensive advocacy efforts, our organization played a key role in the drafting of Nepal's Animal Welfare Act in Nepal, which is currently undergoing further consultation before being presented to the parliament for endorsement. The members of our team participated in several international animal welfare conferences, including Asia for Animals, the AVA Summit, and Asia Farmed Animal Day. These events played a crucial role in networking and significantly enhanced the capacity of our staff.

Our team has a proven track record of successfully leading and implementing projects focused on animal welfare, advocacy, and public education in Nepal. Notable achievements include:

1. Leading Animal Welfare Campaigns: Our staff has led impactful campaigns advocating for cage-free conditions for egg-laying hens, raising public awareness about the welfare of poultry. These initiatives were crucial in pushing for the adoption of higher welfare standards and enhancing consumer awareness about the ethical treatment of chickens and buffaloes.

2. Policy Advocacy Expertise: We have been actively involved in advocating for the creation and formulation of the Animal Welfare Act and related policies at local and national levels. Collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, including government officials and NGOs, we have influenced policy reforms that benefit farmed animals. Additionally, we are members of the Federation of Animal Welfare Organizations in Nepal, an umbrella organization that advocates for policies, standards, and protocols to promote animal welfare in the country.

3. Successful Stakeholder Engagement: Our team has experience organizing workshops and training programs for farmers, local communities, and government bodies. These initiatives have successfully improved animal welfare practices and contributed to more sustainable farming methods throughout Nepal.

4. Educational Programs: We have developed and executed educational initiatives, including school programs focused on humane dog population management and vaccination, as well as environmental education, particularly teaching children about waste management. These programs have reached broad audiences and have contributed to long-term changes in consumer behavior.

With our combined expertise and successful track record, we are confident in our ability to effectively implement this project and make a lasting impact on the welfare of buffaloes and poultry in Kathmandu, Nepal.

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

If this project fails, several key causes and outcomes could arise:

Likely Causes:

1.     Lack of Stakeholder Support: One of the primary causes for failure could be insufficient engagement and support from key stakeholders, including government officials, farmers, and animal welfare organizations. Without their active participation, advocacy efforts may not lead to meaningful policy change, and animal welfare standards may not be adopted.

2.     Inadequate Public Awareness and Engagement: If the public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives fail to reach or resonate with consumers, there may be limited change in public attitudes towards animal welfare. Without consumer pressure, it becomes difficult to push for reforms in buffalo and chicken welfare standards, especially in meat consumption and transportation practices.

3.     Policy and Regulatory Challenges: Another challenge could be the slow or ineffective development and implementation of animal welfare act and policies, including the adoption of welfare standards during animal transportation. If the government or relevant authorities fail to pass and enforce necessary laws, the status quo of inhumane practices could continue.

4.     Limited Resources and Funding: Insufficient financial resources may hinder the implementation of key activities, such as stakeholder workshops, farmer training, or public awareness campaigns. A lack of funding could prevent the project from reaching its full potential and achieving the desired outcomes.

Likely Outcomes:

1.     Continued Inhumane Practices: If the project fails, the inhumane transportation and slaughter practices for buffaloes and poultry in Nepal are likely to persist. Without advocacy for improved welfare standards, the current exploitation of animals may continue, causing further harm and suffering to farmed animals.

2.     Stagnation in Policy Development: Failure to advance the project could result in stagnation in animal welfare act and policy development. The draft Animal Welfare Act may not progress, and necessary legal reforms may be delayed or shelved, leaving animals vulnerable to neglect and mistreatment.

3.     Negative Impact on Consumer Behavior: If the educational efforts do not succeed, there may be little to no shift in consumer behavior toward more ethical food choices. The demand for meat from farmed animals may remain high, further entrenching harmful practices and discouraging the adoption of plant-based alternatives.

4.     Loss of Trust and Support from Stakeholders: If the project fails to deliver on its promises, it could damage the trust and confidence of key stakeholders, including farmers, NGOs, and consumers. This loss of support could make future efforts to improve animal welfare even more challenging.

 Ultimately, failure of the project could delay progress on improving the welfare of buffaloes and poultry in Kathmandu Nepal, leaving these animals vulnerable to continued mistreatment and exploitation, while limiting the potential for long-term societal change.

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