Different educational approaches were used by both the school and us to engage students in a transformative learning experience and strengthen their connection to nature: experiential methods (school garden lessons and interactive biodiversity lessons) to foster hands-on learning; arts-based methods (participatory theatre, photovoice, photo exhibition, sociodrama practices) to bring emotions to the surface; and reflexive methods (open group discussions using mood cards and games) to help process thoughts and feelings, and to encourage both acceptance and critical, creative thinking.

A passionate teacher takes the initiative and dedicates a huge part of her time coordinating the project, collaborating with researchers, and engaging students along with her colleagues. The democratic school community and the teacher(s)’ intrinsic motivation lead to a certain creative freedom to pursue their own ideas and pedagogical innovations, while creating a trusting, open atmosphere for experiential learning in the school garden and through arts-based practices.

Build the legitimacy and sustainability of the seal by integrating it into a multisectoral collaboration ecosystem between science, business, civil society, and authorities. 

Without a laboratory to perform genetic analyses or companies interested in joining the initiative, there can be no seal. Hence, all work must be collaborative. Although it is not necessary for state authorities to endorse the label, it is advisable to maintain a cordial relationship, keeping them informed of progress and inviting them to have a presence and voice at promotional events. The participation of community and scientific organizations is necessary to strengthen the credibility of the label.

While Sparśa in Nepal serves as a pilot enterprise, NIDISI’s ambition reaches far beyond one country. Years of networking with practitioners, academics, social entrepreneurs, and NGOs showed us that many projects across the Global South are working with natural fibres — banana, sisal, water hyacinth, bamboo — yet most face similar challenges: how to process fibres efficiently, ensure product quality, secure market access, and build financially sustainable social businesses. To address this, we launched the Sparśa Blueprint Project, which creates a global community of knowledge sharing for compostable pad manufacturing.

The Blueprint is where Sparśa’s technical expertise, R&D, and social business lessons are opened up for replication. It documents machinery CAD files, sourcing strategies, financial planning models, and outreach approaches, but also creates space for dialogue and co-creation. Connecting projects across the globe enables local innovators to learn from each other and adapt the model to their own contexts and fibre plants.

First building block of Journey of Community Building: Creating a Globally Adaptable Blueprint Model for Fibre Pad Manufacturing — will be published on the PANORAMA platform in September 2025, and a full solution page will follow in November 2025. There, we will share the accumulated experience of years of building networks across continents, including insights from collaborations with grassroots entrepreneurs, academic partners such as Stanford University’s Prakash Lab and LGP2 from the Grenoble INP-Pagora, NGOs, and local governments. This scaling of our project will serve as the gateway for replication, helping others create their own fibre-based pad enterprises.

The Mundo Marino ECO catamaran demonstrates how hybrid propulsion (sail + electric engines), combined with solar panels and hydrogenerators, can significantly reduce emissions in passenger transport and tourism activities. This building block showcases the integration of renewable technologies into a large-capacity (250 pax) vessel, allowing silent navigation, lower fuel dependency, and direct education of tourists on sustainability. It provides a replicable model for coastal operators seeking to align maritime tourism with decarbonisation and marine conservation goals.

It focuses on strengthening the collection of scientific data aboard vessels to improve sustainable fisheries management. Implemented since 2018 as a voluntary program in both larger and smaller fleets, this effort also includes species tagging and monitoring activities in collaboration with the IATTC. As part of the technical strengthening, a specialized manual for onboard observers was developed, with emphasis on accurate species identification and standardized data collection techniques; to date, 21 observers have been trained under this protocol, also supporting compliance with MSC certification. In addition, it is complemented using satellite surveillance technology provided by Global Fishing Watch, which reinforces sustainability and transparency in fishing operations.

Promote from the market the implementation and compliance of responsible fishing practices and supply as a tool to increase transparency in the supply of raw materials aligned with regulatory compliance and good practices of sustainability certifications.

1. Digital MRV (Measurement–Reporting–Verification) System

• What it is: AI-powered monitoring platform combining drones, satellite imagery, and blockchain verification.
• Why it matters: Ensures transparency, traceability, and credibility of every planted tree.
• Transferability: Can be adapted to monitor other nature-based solutions (wetlands, grasslands, mangroves, etc.).

2. Blockchain-Verified Tree Registry & Certificates

• What it is: Each planted tree is assigned a digital ID and certificate stored on blockchain.
• Why it matters: Builds trust with funders, companies, and individuals by proving tree ownership and survival.
• Transferability: Applicable to carbon markets, biodiversity credits, or ecosystem services accounting.

3. Youth Volunteer Engagement Model

• What it is: Mobilization of students and local youth (e.g., “Green Volunteers”) for tree planting, maintenance, and awareness-building.
• Why it matters: Builds long-term stewardship and community ownership of restored areas.
• Transferability: Can be replicated for climate education, waste management, or community energy projects.

4. Corporate Partnership & CSR Integration

• What it is: Businesses (telecom, finance, events, resorts, etc.) co-finance tree groves as part of CSR/ESG strategies.
• Why it matters: Provides sustainable funding for reforestation while aligning with companies’ branding and SDG goals.
• Transferability: Can be applied to other green initiatives (renewables, circular economy, eco-labels).

5. Three-Year Maintenance & Survival Guarantee

• What it is: Each planting project includes watering, fencing, and maintenance for at least 3 years.
• Why it matters: Addresses high mortality rates in tree planting, ensuring long-term carbon sequestration.
• Transferability: Maintenance-first approach can be adopted in agriculture, conservation, or infrastructure projects.

6. Community Education & Reward System

• What it is: Local residents and households (e.g., ger districts) participate and receive recognition, small rewards, or utility discounts.
• Why it matters: Incentivizes grassroots climate action and strengthens community buy-in.
• Transferability: Rewards model can support recycling, clean cooking, or water conservation programs.

This building block outlines how to identify, engage, and collaborate with the local actors who enable smooth implementation and long-term sustainability of the SPARŚA Ambassador Program. These include local authorities, community leaders, partner NGOs, school administrations, and ward-level representatives. Establishing trust with these stakeholders ensures legitimacy, secures support for sessions, and opens opportunities for collaboration, resource-sharing, and broader community engagement. 

Ambassadors begin by mapping key decision-makers in their area, including ward officers, municipal representatives, and respected community figures. Early face-to-face meetings secure permissions and build goodwill. These contacts often connect Ambassadors to existing programmes and community groups such as Ama Samuha, Mahila Samuha, Tole Sudhar Samiti, and Users Committees, which can help mobilise participants and spread awareness. 

Partner NGOs are engaged before training begins, contributing to co-designing content, sourcing expert trainers, and sharing proven materials like Ruby’s World from WASH United, NFCC toolkits, and GYAN resources. 

When engaging schools, Ambassadors prioritise in-person visits to principals over emails or calls, respecting local norms and increasing the likelihood of acceptance. Flexibility is essential to handle last-minute changes or rejections. Principals play a key role in organising logistics, allocating time slots, and ensuring student and teacher participation. 

Formal documentation—letters with organisational stamps and signatures—builds credibility and reassures institutions. Understanding local protocols is vital, as some districts require additional approvals from higher authorities. 

This building block establishes a community-rooted network of trained young educators—known as Ambassadors—who lead awareness sessions on menstruation within their own local contexts. The approach addresses the widespread lack of accurate menstrual health information among both schoolchildren and adults by using peer-led, relatable education. 

Ambassadors are selected from diverse communities across Chitwan, Nawalpur East, and Nawalpur West, ensuring cultural, linguistic, and contextual relevance. Both male and female Ambassadors are recruited to promote shared responsibility for breaking menstrual stigma. 

Before field implementation, Ambassadors conduct community and school mapping to design session content tailored to local needs and beliefs. They participate in intensive residential training on menstruation, SRHR, facilitation, and leadership, followed by mock sessions in local schools. They also form peer support groups—through WhatsApp, weekly calls, and shared online documents—to coordinate, co-create sessions, and sustain motivation. 

The programme prioritises both external impact and the personal and professional development of Ambassadors, fostering the next generation of community leaders and advocates for menstrual health. Regular check-ins, planning meetings, and progress updates keep the network active, responsive, and accountable.