MAP

Start Date
2022
End Date
2023
Funded by
University of Lincoln, UK
Students Directly Reached
390
Schools Involved
14
Youth Facilitators
39
Teachers Trained
50+

The project, formally titled “Facilitating Intergenerational Dialogue through a Co-Created Participatory Arts-Based Community Curriculum,” is an initiative implemented by Karkhana Samuha to enhance education through innovative, hands-on approaches.

The primary goal is to empower youth (ages 16-24) to influence education policy by increasing their understanding of how curricula are constructed and providing them with arts-based tools to communicate their challenges, hopes, and dreams to seniors and policymakers.

Project Locations

See the locations where we are working

What it does/ How it functions

  • Developing Understanding

    Helping youth identify and understand critical issues within the education system. It involved youth in workshops using art forms like drawing, theater, and storytelling to co-design curricula that reflect their perspectives.

  • Skills Training

    Training youth in participatory, arts-based methods – including theater, storytelling, and traditional songs – to express their messages effectively. These curricula were piloted in schools through interactive activities, such as the “Still Images – Real versus Ideal” lesson.

  • Connection and Advocacy

    Creating platforms for youth to engage directly with local government officials, educators, and community stakeholders to foster intergenerational dialogue and integrate youth voices into policy formulations. It empowered youth through the YAAR (Youth Advocacy, Advisory and Research) forum, where they engage directly with policymakers to amplify their voices.

Testimonials

Impact through their eyes

  • Overcoming Barriers to Education (Pushpa’s Story)
    Pushpa hails from a community in southern Nepal where strict gender roles sometimes limit girls’ access to schooling. Undeterred, she fought to pursue higher education, eventually winning a scholarship to study in Kathmandu. Her involvement in the arts-based YAAR program further boosted her belief in her own potential, demonstrating how creative pedagogy and youth-led advocacy can broaden horizons. Pushpa now aspires to become a chartered accountant, aiming to demonstrate to families back home that daughters, too, can thrive academically and professionally.

  • Building Leadership Through Peer Facilitation (Ramila’s Story)
    Ramila grew up in a household where politics was a daily topic of debate, yet she often felt excluded from decision-making. Joining a theater-based session on curriculum reform offered her an outlet to express her own viewpoint—without having to “out-argue” adults. Taking the lead in sculpting scenes around local issues, she recognized that authentic engagement can shift power dynamics. After the workshop, she began attending community meetings and advocating for more robust youth representation, inspiring other girls to follow her lead.

    Ramila’s Story

  • Finding Confidence in Group Work (Prasiddhi’s Story)
    Prasiddhi, an 18-year-old participant, initially felt anxious about presenting her ideas publicly. Through peer-driven workshops, however, she slowly gained the courage to speak up. She attributes this to the supportive environment and collaborative exercises in theater and art, saying she developed “the ability to speak up about my ideas and present them to all.” This newfound confidence has continued to affect her studies and social life, enabling her to take on leadership roles in her college and community.

    Prasiddhi’s Story