National Conference on Youth, Civic Media and Urban Governance

A National Conference on Youth, Civic Media and Urban Governance was held on 10-11 April 2026 in Dharan. The event was organized by Lumanti Support Group for Shelter and Youth Network, Dharan in coordination with Dharan Sub Metropolitan City. The event featured three impactful and thought-provoking panel sessions that brought together communities, policymakers, youth groups, government officials and journalists regarding youth engagement in urban governance by promoting civic media as a tool for participation, accountability, inclusion, and explore creative ways to influence policy at the municipal level to make it more youth friendly. 

During the closing session, Bhuwan Rai, Women Development Officer, Social Development Division of Dharan Sub Metropolitan City highlighted on the importance of the youth engagement for the accountable governance in coordination among of all political parties and stakeholders. Prof. Dr. Chandra Lal Pandey, Department of Development Studies, School of Arts, Kathmandu University shared the research findings on policy gaps in the structures of the youth participation on the urban governance and recommended institutionalize the youth representation.   
Aishwarya Gupta, Workshop Coordinator, Hunnarshala Foundation from Bhuj, India shared the challenges of youths and lessons learned from India. She highlighted on the challenges in the practical implementation of policies within informal communities.

During the closing remarks, Lajana Manandhar, Executive Director of Lumanti Support Group for Shelter expressed heartful gratitude and acknowledged the collective efforts of youth of Dharan, local government officials, Kathmandu University (KU), Hunnarshala and other stakeholders whose contributions ensured the success of the program. She advocated for collaborative, data driven, youth participation, engagement, networking, partnerships among youth, civic media and urban governance. 

During the event, a total of seven short films produced by the youth team from Youth Network of Dharan including youth team from Kutch Yuva Navanirman Samaj (KYNS) were presented. The film makers shared their experiences of learning of filmmaking, working with community and telling the story of youths through film.  

The panel discussions conducted during the event collectively presented learning and experiences on youth, digital civic media, urban governance, particularly highlighting their participation in developing community action plan in collaboration with stakeholders. Following the presentation and three panel sessions, an open floor discussion took place, allowing to raise queries which were addressed by respective panelists. 
The first panel discussion titled “Youth Participation in Community Action Plan Development: Learning, Practice and Impact” was focused on the practical experiences of youth groups in participating in Community Action Plan (CAP) development processes in their respective municipalities. The session featured insightful deliberations by Sudhakar Yadav, President, Urban Poor Alleviation Forum (UPAF), Kalaiya, Enny Shakya, Member, Youth Network, Dharan, Mariya Khalifa, Member, Kutch Nawa Yuwa Nirman Samaj, Bhuj, India, Bikram Pariya, Secretary, Municipal Youth Council of Dharan and Prakriti Niraula, Urban Researcher, Kathmandu University. Moderated by Pravesh Khanal, Researcher from Kathmandu University. The discussion highlighted the challenges in meaningful youth participation in the local level planning process despite of its mandatory provision of the inclusive participation.
The second session titled “Digital Civic Media and Youth Engagement in Urban Governance: Experiences and Lessons” carried the dialogue forward on understanding of civic media as a vital advocacy tool while identifying effective digital strategies that can influence local government actions. The session enriched by the perspectives from Nima Andi Bhote, Journalist, Dharan, Binisha Siwa, Member Jagrit Yuwa Samaj, Sundarharicha, Vishal Maheshwori, Member, Kutch Nawa Yuwa Nirman Samaj, Bhuj, India and Nitesh Limbu, Secretary, Youth Network, Dharan. Moderated by Enny Shakya, Member, Youth Network, Dharan. The session highlighted the increasing importance and essentiality of the digital media for raising the voices from the ground and meaningful participation of the youth in effectively utilizing the digital platforms.

Together both sessions on Day-1, youth groups from different municipalities sharing their experiences in using civic media, conducting community mapping, and engaging with ward and municipal authorities. 

Similarly, the third and final session “Mainstreaming Youth Learning into Urban Policy- with focus on Dharan” focused on exploring ways to institutionalize youth participation in urban governance, with particular attention to Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City. Also, the session intended to enhance trust and collaboration between youth organizations and municipal authorities identifying policy gaps and opportunities for youth involvement in planning, budgeting, and monitoring processes. The panel featured Aindra Bikram Begha, Acting Mayor, Dharan Sub Metropolitan City, Ganesh Prasad Khatidwada, Head, Administrative Section, Dharan Sub Metropolitan City, Dr. Dilli Poudel, Senior Urban and Disaster Management Specialist, Aishwarya Gupta, Workshop Coordinator, YCIV Hunnarshala and Shanti Ram Rai, President, Youth Network, Dharan. Moderated by Prof. Dr. Chandra Lal Pandey, Kathmandu University. 
Aindra Bikram Begha, Acting Mayor, Dharan Sub Metropolitan City highlighted on the importance of the youth participation in planning, budgeting and monitoring process. He assured greater inclusion of the youths on fulfilling the policy gaps. Also, Ganesh Prasad Khatidwada, Head, Administrative Section, Dharan Sub Metropolitan City emphasized on the need of the active participation for the inclusive and accountable urban governance. Dr. Dilli Poudel, Senior Urban and Disaster Management Specialist shared insights on mainstreaming youths’ participation in municipal planning and governance. He also highlighted on strengthening collaboration between youth networks and local government. Shanti Ram Rai, President, Youth Network, Dharan shared the perspectives on the importance of youth participation as responsible citizens in promoting good governance.

More than 55 participants attended the event, representing youth groups and networks from marginalized communities, political leaders, Tole Lane Organization (TLO), from Dharan, youths from Sundar Haraicha, Jeetpursimara, Kalika in Nepal and representatives from youths from Bhuj, India. Also, researchers from Kathmandu University, planning and urban experts, representatives from local government, media journalists joined the event. 

The event is being organized under the project " Co-constructing Neighbourhoods Fit for Diverse Young People: Civic Media Technologies for Equitable Urban Governance (YCIV).