Once banana fibers are prepared, the next step is to transform them into banana paper and menstrual pads. Sparśa developed and built its own production line in Nepal — combining machinery for fiber pulping, pressing, drying, paper-making, and pad assembly. Because some of this equipment did not exist on the market, our team designed machines from scratch in collaboration with skilled workshops in Kathmandu, adapting them for small-scale, cost-effective production. Locally designed paper-making equipment and pad-shaping machines were prototyped, tested, and refined in real factory conditions.

This engineering innovation is at the heart of Sparśa’s model: it proves that advanced machinery can be developed locally, reducing dependency on costly imports and strengthening Nepal’s industrial capacity. From paper moulds and deckles to pad-shaping machines, each design was prototyped, tested, and refined in real factory conditions. By making these designs openly available, we ensure that other initiatives worldwide can replicate production using locally sourced fibers.

This step is already showcased in PANORAMA solution ‘Engineering for the Production of Compostable Pads’, where readers can follow the full workflow from banana paper to absorbent core to finished pad. Further technical details, including CAD files and full documentation of the ‘From Natural Fibre to Paper: A Practical Solution Centered on Equipment Design for Small-Scale Production’ will be provided as a separate PANORAMA solution page to be published by November 2025, offering practical, step-by-step guidance for replicating both equipment design and small-scale production processes.

Once banana fibers are prepared, the next step is to transform them into banana paper and menstrual pads. Sparśa developed and built its own production line in Nepal — combining machinery for fiber pulping, pressing, drying, paper-making, and pad assembly. Because some of this equipment did not exist on the market, our team designed machines from scratch in collaboration with skilled workshops in Kathmandu, adapting them for small-scale, cost-effective production. Locally designed paper-making equipment and pad-shaping machines were prototyped, tested, and refined in real factory conditions.

This engineering innovation is at the heart of Sparśa’s model: it proves that advanced machinery can be developed locally, reducing dependency on costly imports and strengthening Nepal’s industrial capacity. From paper moulds and deckles to pad-shaping machines, each design was prototyped, tested, and refined in real factory conditions. By making these designs openly available, we ensure that other initiatives worldwide can replicate production using locally sourced fibers.

This step is already showcased in PANORAMA solution ‘Engineering for the Production of Compostable Pads’, where readers can follow the full workflow from banana paper to absorbent core to finished pad. Further technical details, including CAD files and full documentation of the ‘From Natural Fibre to Paper: A Practical Solution Centered on Equipment Design for Small-Scale Production’ will be provided as a separate PANORAMA solution page to be published by November 2025, offering practical, step-by-step guidance for replicating both equipment design and small-scale production processes.

Banana plants are harvested for fruit only once, leaving large trunks behind. Traditionally, these are left to rot or burned, adding to pollution and waste. Sparśa has turned this challenge into an opportunity: we partner with farmers in Susta municipality, Nepal, to collect trunks as raw material for our compostable pads. Through a simple agreement, farmers provide trunks free of charge, and in return, Sparśa removes the agro-waste from their plantations and trains farmers in making bio-compost from remaining residues. This improves soil fertility, reduces open burning, and creates cleaner plantations — while securing a steady flow of fibers for pad production.

This step demonstrates how an agricultural byproduct can be reintegrated into a value chain that benefits health, the environment, and livelihoods, while creating a replicable model for circular farming. The knowledge collected here is not limited to menstrual pads; the same sourcing and processing techniques can be adapted to produce other fiber-based products, such as textiles, packaging, or handicrafts, thereby broadening opportunities for local green industries in low- and middle-income countries.

The details of fiber sourcing, drying, and preparation will be presented in a dedicated PANORAMA solution on ‘Sustainable Fiber Processing’ (Scheduled to be published for November 2025). The next stage — how fibers are transformed into banana paper with machinery designed and built for our own factory — will be shared in PANORAMA solution ‘From Natural Fibre to Paper’ (also due November 2025). Together, these solutions document the earliest stages of Sparśa’s pad production process and make them open source for replication.

To support the crowdfunding campaign, the Philippine Parks and Biodiversity launched the Tamaraw Society initiative in July 2020. 

The Philippine Parks and Biodiversity is a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to conserving the country's biodiversity through multistakeholder partnerships, ranging from grassroot communities to the private sector. 

The Tamaraw Society consisted of a group of organizations and individuals, mostly from younger generations, who committed to running their own fundraising activities to support the crowdfunding campaign with at least USD 400 each (PHP 20,000 at the time). The 19 participants, referred to as champions, collectively raised USD 7,789 (PHP 389,450). They conducted activities such as online raffles of film cameras, online selling of secondhand clothes, auction of digital artworks, and merchandise sales such as tamaraw tote bags and shirts.

The crowdfunding campaign maintained a strong presence on traditional and social media. Daily posts were tailored to strengthen the business case for donations, highlighting key events such as the Tamaraw Month,  the death of the last captive-bred tamaraw, Kalibasib, and a tamaraw killed by poachers. By leveraging a mix of media platforms, the campaign reached both national and international audiences and engaged diverse age groups. 

Social media posts were reposted and shared by BIOFIN Global and Philippines, UNDP Philippines, and various accounts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Moreover, a national Tamaraw Ambassadors program was launched on social media, engaging public figures to promote the campaign. These communication strategies effectively reached the general public within and beyond the Philippines.

Traditional media also supported the campaign, with coverage from reputable news networks like Stand for Truth and GMA Digital Specials. 

Lastly, a promotion email was sent to over 2,000 individuals through the BIOFIN global mailing list, targeting a specialized audience of professionals and partners in the biodiversity sector.

Step 3 – Tactical Growth

The ROS – Recreation Opportunity Spectrum is a tool that classifies opportunities for tourism and recreation by measuring the degree of intervention across three attributes: Biophysical, Sociocultural, and Management. Based on these indicators, it defines five Classes of Experiences: Pristine, Natural, Semi-natural, Ruralized, and Urbanized.

By combining the vocation of the area with these classes, managers can design a gradient of opportunities, ranging from sites with maximum naturalness, minimal human presence, and very low visitation (Pristine class), to areas with extensive infrastructure, altered landscapes, high accessibility, and strong human interaction (Urbanized class).

Using ROS allows planners to shape the Ecotourism Program by defining:

1. Zoning
2. Classes of Experiences
3. Environments
4. Activities
5. Infrastructure
6. Services
7. Regulations

This tactical step translates the strategic vision into concrete management choices, ensuring that ecotourism development is diversified, coherent, and aligned with conservation priorities and visitor expectations.

This building block outlines how the SPARŚA Ambassador Program engages adult community members in open, respectful, and evidence-based discussions on menstruation. The approach prioritises dialogue over lecture, creating a space where participants can share their beliefs, practices, and lived experiences, while also receiving accurate information. 

Target groups are identified by Ambassadors themselves or in collaboration with ward offices, municipalities, or metropolitan authorities. These often include mothers’ groups, women’s collectives, youth clubs, and mixed community gatherings. Trusted groups like Ama Samuha or Tole Sudhar Samiti are engaged early to help mobilise participants and endorse the sessions, which greatly enhances credibility and attendance. 

Sessions are adapted to the context and needs of adults. Rather than delivering the same content as in schools, Ambassadors focus on myth-busting, stigma reduction, and practical menstrual health knowledge. This includes clarifying biological facts, discussing hygienic practices, exploring environmentally friendly menstrual products, and addressing social norms that restrict women’s and girls’ mobility, participation, or dignity during menstruation. 

Ambassadors begin by establishing safe space agreements and inviting participants to share their own perspectives through Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The facilitator listens actively, acknowledges local knowledge, and then uses visual aids, product demonstrations, and relatable stories to fill knowledge gaps or correct misinformation. Nutrition and self-care during menstruation are also discussed, linking health to overall well-being. 

Preparation is thorough: Ambassadors coordinate with the programme team for materials, set session dates with local leaders, arrange venues in accessible and comfortable locations, and ensure a variety of menstrual products are available for demonstration. Follow-up visits or recurring discussions are encouraged to reinforce learning and track changes in attitudes. 

This building block details how the SPARŚA Ambassador Program designs and delivers menstrual health education for students aged 11–17 (Grades 6–10) in Nepal, ensuring each session is relevant, inclusive, and culturally sensitive. 

Schools are chosen based on their proximity to the Ambassador’s community to ensure trust and easy access. Ambassadors map their audience and adapt delivery methods to different age groups. For Grades 6–7 (pre-menarche), sessions focus on building a safe and friendly environment through storytelling, interactive games, and art-based activities. For Grades 8–10 (post-menarche), the focus shifts to clear scientific explanations of the menstrual cycle, phases, and bodily changes, while also addressing myths, stigma, and gaps left by incomplete classroom teaching. 

Visual aids such as flip charts, diagrams, presentations, and flex prints help make abstract concepts tangible. Ambassadors also conduct live demonstrations of various menstrual products—disposable pads, reusable cloth pads, menstrual cups, and tampons—explaining pros and cons, safe usage, disposal methods, and environmental impacts. By linking product choice to environmental awareness, students learn how menstrual health intersects with climate action. 

Nutrition during menstruation is covered to promote physical well-being. Sessions are always inclusive of both boys and girls, which helps normalise menstruation, reduce stigma, and foster empathy among peers. Teachers are encouraged to attend so they can reinforce messages after the session. 

Preparation is key: Ambassadors contact school principals early, establish ground rules for respectful participation, prepare teaching materials, arrange transportation, and ensure all demonstration products are ready. Follow-up is encouraged through take-home leaflets or posters, allowing students to revisit the information later. 

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.