55 Years of JICA Volunteerism Highlighted at Cross-National Volunteer Gathering in Nepal

Volunteer Sending Agencies (VSA), united by the shared mission of deploying volunteers to Nepal and contributing to the country’s development through grassroots-level engagement, have been convening regularly for more than three decades. These meetings have served as an important platform to address challenges in volunteer deployment procedures, exchange security management information, and share updates on volunteer activities and achievements. Through this continued engagement, VSA have fostered a strong spirit of mutual support and collaboration.

In this context, the JICA Nepal Office organized a joint gathering titled “Cross-National Volunteer Synergy: Enhancing Impact in Nepal” on 6 February 2026. The event aimed to bring together not only VSA representatives but also volunteers from different organizations, creating a space to share field experiences, exchange ideas, and discuss common challenges faced during assignments in Nepal, along with practical strategies to overcome them.

The program featured presentations by volunteers from various organizations highlighting their ongoing work in Nepal. In addition, group discussions were facilitated among volunteers with a particular focus on field-based activities and shared learning across sectors.

The event welcomed nearly 100 participants representing a wide range of VSA organizations, including the Australian Volunteers Program (AVP), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Peace Corps, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), as well as representatives from media houses and JICA officials.

Commemorating the occasion, Mr. MATSUZAKI Mizuki, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal, remarked: “We witnessed truly engaging and impressive presentations from volunteers representing various organizations today. I was delighted to see the depth of their work and the meaningful efforts they are making to create positive change in Nepal.”

Mr. Troy Kofroth, Country Director, Peace Corps on the event stated, “It was a great way to build synergy among the volunteer agencies here in Nepal, and I hope to see a lot of positive collaboration coming out of it.”

During his special Remarks by Mr. Mooheon Kong, Country Director, KOICA Nepal, expressed his sincere appreciation to the JICA Nepal Office for organizing the event, which successfully brought together volunteers from diverse walks of life under one roof. He noted that such a gathering stands as a testament to inclusive and sustainable efforts in Nepal, strengthened by the spirit of solidarity and collaboration among all participating agencies.

Overall, the event successfully strengthened connections among volunteers of diverse nationalities working across Nepal, promoted collaboration among VSA, and contributed to maximizing the collective impact of volunteer efforts in the country.
On the 55th anniversary of JICA’s Volunteer Program in Nepal, JICA shared the history and key milestones of its volunteer engagement with VSA stakeholders.

Founded in 1965, the JICA Volunteer Program enables Japanese volunteers to work alongside local communities, contributing to socioeconomic development through the effective use of their skills and experiences. Volunteers live and work closely with local people in their host communities, allowing them to identify development needs from the grassroots perspective while promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Nepal and Japan.

The first JICA volunteers were dispatched to Nepal in September 1970. Since then, their activities have expanded across a wide range of sectors and sub-sectors, including agriculture, health, education, forestry and fisheries, repair operations, civil engineering, sanitation, sports, culture, as well as planning and administration. The JICA Volunteer Program in Nepal remains committed to sharing knowledge, skills, and technology at the grassroots level through a “Learning by Doing” approach, supporting Nepal’s nation-building efforts.

To date, a total of 1,480 volunteers (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Senior Volunteers) have contributed to Nepal’s development over the past 55 years, leaving a lasting impact on communities across the country.

For more details, please contact:
Ms. Brinda Singh - Public Relations Officer (JICA Nepal Office)
Singhbrinda.np@jica.go.jp