For CCI / सजृनात्मक उद्योगको लागी was established to respond to the findings from Baseline assessment of the cultural and creative industries in the Kathmandu valley. It facilitates a space to tackle structural challenges, harness youth-driven potential, and overcome policy gaps covering the seven UNESCO Creative Cities Network fields: Crafts & Folk Art, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature, and Music.
Nepal is at a pivotal moment to position Cultural and Creative Industries as a catalyst for green, inclusive, and future ready development. The Network will serve as a space for knowledge sharing, holistic coordination, and creative collaboration. It connects government, municipalities, UN agencies, development partners, and the private sector to deliver shared impact, and to ensure that the digital shift in culture works for creators and communities.
Jaco du ToitUNESCO Representative to Nepal
Municipalities highlighted a range of policy and programmatic initiatives already underway, reflecting the diverse yet complementary ways local governments are engaging with CCI.
For Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the development of the Kathmandu Cultural and Creative City Policy has been approved and is in the process of publication in the official gazette. As part of this policy, there is also a plan to establish the Kathmandu Cultural and Creative City Art Council expected to play a key role in policymaking, implementation, and coordination across different creative sectors. As the UNESCO Creative City of Film, Kathmandu aims to establish its own flagship event, the Kathmandu Film Festival, within the current fiscal year.
Kathmandu became a UNESCO Creative of Film in 2023. Film is a medium capable of bringing together multiple creative fields such as music, design, and gastronomy, allowing for a comprehensive representation of the city’s creative economy on a global stage.
Ms. Sunita DangolActing Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City
For Lalitpur Metropolitan City, designated as UNESCO Creative City of Music, the action plan has been approved and published in government gazette. A 15-member task force has been formed to explore how people can be more actively engaged in creative arts. As part of this, Lalitpur plans to organize workshops, performances, and an annual Lalitpur Music Festival. A museum has already been established regarding the traditional Nepali musical instruments. The city also plans to work at a broader level by preparing textbooks and learning materials for schools to enhance music education.
This Network meeting is not a one-time milestone, but part of a longer journey that requires continuous collaboration, reflection, and action. Moving forward, we aim to expand our creative vision into other domains, ensuring Lalitpur remains a vibrant and resilient cultural city for generations to come.
Mr. Chiri Babu MaharjanMayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City
In Budhanilkantha Municipality, efforts are focused on delivering cultural activities that bring communities together and keep local traditions active. This includes organizing and promoting cultural programmes, supporting the conservation and use of key religious and cultural sites, and moving toward more coordinated, sustained initiatives to expand participation and impact.
Other participating organizations also shared their priority projects. FCA Nepal shared their upcoming project plan, which focuses on women, Dalits, indigenous peoples, and gender and sexual minority groups in Kathmandu, Sudurpaschim, and Madhesh. The initiative will address gaps between Nepal’s creative talent and existing institutional, financial, and market support systems.
The British Council shared their focus in the year 2026 on gender and inclusion. Women of the World (WOW) Festival was presented as a core activity that addresses the focus. The festival is a global arts and cultural festival celebrating the achievements of women and girls while addressing the challenges they face.
Cultural and Creative Industries represent a powerful economic force globally. In Nepal, they play a particularly important role in generating decent work opportunities, especially for women and youth. To address the persistent gaps in data, coordination, and institutional coherence, stronger joint action is essential.
The Network is well-positioned to strengthen coordination, support evidence generation, and translate ongoing assessments into collective, sustained action toward a more vibrant, resilient, and well-supported CCI ecosystem in Nepal.
read more: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/cultural-and-creative-industries-cci-friends-strengthen-coordination-nepals-creative-economy?hub=701
