Agreement of Cooperation Between the NWSSRICDC and ENPHO

Bhaktapur: An Agreement of Cooperation (AOC) has been signed between the National Water Supply and Sanitation Research, Innovation and Capacity Development Center (NWSSRICDC) and the Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO). The agreement aims to foster collaboration in capacity development, knowledge management, and technology exchange in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector.

The agreement was signed by Er. Ram Kumar Shrestha, Head of NWSSRICDC, and Ms. Bhawana Sharma, Executive Director of ENPHO. According to the agreement signed on Thursday, both institutions will jointly work on programs related to Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), Wastewater Management (WWM), Solid Waste Management (SWM), and Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) to expand safely managed water and sanitation services.

“This agreement aims to formalize the collaboration between both parties and to establish a framework for implementing joint activities in capacity development, knowledge management, and other technical cooperation related to safely managed water and sanitation (FSM, WWM, SWM, CWIS) in Nepal,” the agreement states.

NWSSRICDC is committed to developing skilled human resources in the WASH sector by strengthening the capacity of stakeholders. In this context, collaboration with ENPHO will help advance the development of training materials, expand virtual training facilities, and promote knowledge exchange through an online Learning Management System (LMS).

As per the agreement, ENPHO will prepare training materials and knowledge products in coordination with NWSSRICDC for review and improvement. These materials will eventually be handed over as institutional property of NWSSRICDC. Similarly, ENPHO will develop a National WASH Repository to systematically organize WASH-related resources, which will be made publicly accessible through the NWSSRICDC domain.

Likewise, NWSSRICDC will endorse the training materials and knowledge products developed by ENPHO and incorporate them into its annual training programs. The center will also provide space within its premises for the establishment of virtual training facilities and extend necessary technical support for conducting online training sessions.

Under the agreement, both institutions have agreed to jointly organize capacity development programs, research, and learning-sharing activities at the national and international levels.

The agreement will remain effective from 9 October 2025 to 9 October 2027. It may be extended further upon mutual consent, as stated in the agreement.

Both institutions believe that this collaboration will contribute significantly to strengthening sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally friendly water supply and sanitation systems in Nepal.