The Nepal Exchange Citizens' Association is a citizens' group working toward mutual development through exchange and international cooperation between Nepal and Komagane City in Nagano Prefecture. Its website also introduces the ties between Komagane and Pokhara and the voices of people involved.
Its work rests on two pillars: the "Maternal and Child Health Project" and "minsai," which means exchange between citizens. For its project to help mothers in Pokhara who struggle with breastfeeding, the "Project to Protect the Future of Mothers and Children," it reached its goal through crowdfunding-style hometown tax donations. The donations will be used for efforts to firmly establish a breastfeeding support system locally and for building Komagane as a town of international exchange.
Its news section lists the 7th Minsai Exchange Meeting in February 2026, a Japanese-Nepali speech contest in November 2025, a booth at an international fair, hosting a study tour by a university consortium, and a JICA completion report meeting for the maternal and child health project. In March 2025 it received the 6th SDGs Iwasa Prize (Medical category).
Key points
- A maternal and child health project in Pokhara that works to build breastfeeding support
- "Minsai" citizen exchange that also promotes Komagane as a town of international exchange
- Received the 6th SDGs Iwasa Prize (Medical category) in March 2025
Why this organization's work stands out
A regional city is connected with a city in Nepal, and citizens are the main players in sustaining international cooperation and exchange. It is mindful of a cycle in which overseas support also returns benefits to the local town.
It shares its activities through newsletters, a blog and videos, and its "What we can do" pages for individuals, companies and groups make it easier to take part.
Editor's comment
It is an activity that shows the power of citizens supporting mothers and children overseas from a small city. It teaches us that familiar exchanges can lead to international cooperation.
The latest on the maternal and child health project and events is on the official website and Facebook. Please take a look.