Twenty schools from Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Dhading, Bhaktapur, Kavre, Lamjung, Pokhara and Dhangadi were awarded a seed fund of £200 (Two Hundred Pounds) each to carry out individual Social Action Projects in their school and local community.

The sum will be handed over to the representatives of individual school during a Social Action Grant award ceremony, organized by the British Council at Hotel Radisson, Lazimpat on 10 April 2014. These grants are awarded to schools as part of the Student Leadership strand under the British Council’s Connecting Classrooms programme.

The Social Action Projects are student-led initiatives that tackle issues relevant to local communities, ranging from environmental actions to issues of social justice and drug abuse. These projects help to develop student's leadership and team building skills and also to enhance their understanding of local issues making them committed to change. All the selected schools have shown dedication towards making their projects a success. List of schools and their project is attached with this press release.

30 schools from different districts of Nepal submitted Social Action Project proposals with the intention to put their ideas into action for the betterment of their local communities in December 2013. The project idea and plans were evaluated by British Council’s team. Based on the evaluation a total of 20 schools were provided a workshop on student voice and leadership and guidance on implementing Social Action Projects in late January 2014. The time duration for completion of their projects will be 3 months.

British Council’s Connecting Classrooms is a global education program for schools. It is designed to help young people learn about global themes and become responsible global citizens, as well as giving them the skills to work in a worldwide economy. It offers school partnerships and accreditation along with professional development courses for teachers and a chance for them to share best practice with their counterparts around the world.

A joint-venture between the British Council and the Department for International Development (DFID), this program, aimed at schools, has been designed in response to an independent review of how best to teach young people about global themes. Featuring the very best of the old Global School Partnerships scheme and Connecting Classrooms, this richer and more streamlined program offers more opportunities for schools, educators, young people and policymakers.

Connecting Classrooms is made up of the following four main parallel strands. The first three relate directly to schools, School partnerships, continuing professional development for teachers and, awards and Accreditation – in the form of the ISA and policy dialogue.