Article
Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI)
The Kathmandu Valley is a natural hub for Nepal’s dynamic cultural and creative ecosystem. From centuries-old crafts to contemporary design and media, the Valley showcases an extraordinary blend of tradition and innovation. CCIs in this region not only strengthen the local economy and create jobs but also enhance Nepal’s presence on the global cultural stage.
However, despite this immense potential, the CCI sector in Nepal lacks critical baseline data, particularly regarding employment, business structures, and economic contributions across key aeras such as Music, Film, Crafts, Folk Art, Design, Literature, Gastronomy, and Media Arts. This data gap has long hindered evidence-based policymaking and strategic investment, making it difficult to fully recognize CCI's true potential and guide effective investments
Uplifting Nepal’s Creative Economy: UNESCO’s Baseline Assessment
To bridge this gap, UNESCO is undertaking a comprehensive Baseline Assessment of the Cultural and Creative Industries in the Kathmandu Valley. This six-month initiative is being carried out in partnership with Finnish Church Aid Nepal, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the British Council Nepal, in collaboration with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC), and Bhaktapur Municipality.
A key part of the assessment involves Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) that bring together diverse voices, including creative entrepreneurs, freelancers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women practitioners, trade associations, academics, and cultural organisations.
Discussions have already taken place on topics collecting valuable insights, feedback, and tangible actions to solve sector-specific challenges, best practices, and future priorities. These engagements are supplemented by interviews and case studies to build a nuanced understanding of the sector’s realities. The assessment also includes mapping of stakeholders, a review of national and local cultural policies, and an analysis of the sector’s contributions to GDP, employment, and urban development.
The ongoing baseline assessment is fostering stronger collaboration between local governments, development partners, the private sectors and creative communities. It is amplifying the voices of youth, women, indigenous entrepreneurs and independent practitioners while building trust and creating new networks across the sectors. These focus group discussions are providing an unprecedented platform for diverse stakeholders to openly discuss the opportunities, challenges, and threats facing the creative sector in Kathmandu valley and beyond.
As the assessment progresses, it will lay the groundwork for long-term improvements, such as fairer working conditions, stronger institutional support, collaborations, and better alignment of national and local strategies and priorities. This will help unlock the full potential of Nepal’s CCI to support sustainable development and inclusive growth.
