Youth for Reforms: Strengthening Digital Democracy in Nepal (Day 1)

On 7 February ,the National Policy Forum (NPF) successfully concluded a Digital democracy in practice : Governance and Civic responsibility (Civic Literacy workshop) at Madi Municipality, bringing together 30 young participants (aged 15–35) for an interactive, in-person learning experience on democracy, governance, public accountability, and responsible digital civic participation.

The workshop featured group discussions, case studies, role plays, and hands-on exercises, enabling participants to deepen their understanding of democratic rights and responsibilities, participatory governance mechanisms, digital advocacy, online safety, and approaches to counter misinformation and disinformation. By the end of the session, participants strengthened their capacity to engage ethically in digital spaces and developed simple, issue-based digital civic action plans.

With Nepal’s upcoming elections in focus, the sessions highlighted the growing role of digital platforms in shaping democratic processes. Through real-world examples and participatory dialogue, youth examined both the risks—such as misinformation and unsafe online practices—and the opportunities to build a safer, more informed, and inclusive digital environment.

This program was organized by National Policy Forum (NPF) under the Digital Democracy Initiative, with support from CIVICUS, DDI South Asia, and Accountability Lab.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Mayor and team of Madi Municipality for their collaboration and for providing the venue, and to GenZ Chitwan and GenZ Madi for their invaluable coordination and on-ground support.