Sano Paila (A Little Step)

Sano Paila is a development oriented, non-profit, non-governmental organization that seeks to provide opportunities to improve economic, social, & health conditions, thereby reducing poverty and injustice in Nepal. Committed to redefining the development sector, we take a bottom-up approach to inclusive and sustainable community development. We run a diverse range of programs that tackle a number of complex issues (issues often ignored by the government, private sector, and state security system). Each of the programs has local reach, breadth and ownership targeted to improve the lives of disadvantaged communities.

Our focus areas span from youth empowerment, drug rehabilitation, to crime prevention and reformation, anti-trafficking and child protection, health improvement, access to education, peacebuilding, livelihood enhancement, and crisis response. Sano Paila has designed and implemented programs through an extensive network of local, national, and international development partners, NGOs, and government agencies. We have a track record of diagnosing the most complex problems at the grassroots level, conceiving innovative models to solve those problems, and effectively implementing programs by employing diverse and inclusive implementation teams.

Named for the idea that it often just takes "a little step" to serve one’s community and induce positive change, the organization was founded by a group of passionate, self-motivated, and dynamic youth in 2006. Sano Paila envisions a community where development is spearheaded by the members of the community itself thus ensuring equitable participation and sustainability.

What distinguishes us is the fact that, we inspire disenfranchised communities and work with them through education, youth volunteerism and grassroots organizing to tackle complicated problems with home grown local solutions that ensures a degree of sustainability built into the projects. From working with youth, farmers and women in the smallest villages to top government officials, civil society and security leaders in the district headquarters, we generate awareness regarding ownership and sense of belonging in community development among local residents and influence policy makers, state, and non-state actors through advocacy programs at the local, national and global level.