I still remember when I walked in through the yellow ‘golden’ gates of Nepal Communitere (now Impact Hub) as an intern back in June 2017! Everything was so unique and beautiful including the thought-provoking murals on the walls, the open doors always welcoming visitors, the makerspace with all the cool tools, and office spaces made from shipping containers! So innovative! And what was so relatable to me? The space wasn’t all sorted too! I saw Bahar hustling and running around trying to bring innovative projects to space and exploring ideas saying “How about ……..?”! As soon as I visited the organization and met everyone, I was like, wow and yes, I need to be here! Fast forward to 2025, golden 7.5 years at Impact Hub Kathmandu was more than just a mere job for me, it was a personal journey full of learnings, experiences, growth and inspiration! These golden years at this dynamic hub is where I grew as an employee, as a person, and more specifically branching out as a ‘WOMAN, braver than ever’.
We started with the I-cube business incubation program by DFID in 2017 to support Nepali startups and entrepreneurs. I learned so much from brilliant bright minds- Bahar, Aarati Dee, Anita Dee, and Anil Dai, my seniors! Within a year, we adapted and took the program to Chitwan, taking incubation outside Kathmandu. We organized a large humanitarian innovative maker-faire in Nepal in 2018 bringing innovators and makers from more than 12 countries and engaging more than 2500 youths in 2 days. How it only takes so much courage, teamwork and the ‘faith’ to make things happen and it does translate! Then we were blessed with another brilliant lead to join our space: Padmakshi Rana (now Executive Director) who took our programs to the whole next level together! In 2020, the team redesigned the entire incubation program to be virtual in order to support the tech companies in our last cohort of I-Cube program. We brought the first ever digital fabrication lab in 2021- FabLab to Nepal! WOW! Now, through the roots of the circularity program of Impact Hub Kathmandu led by Bisheshta Dee and Rohan, the incubation has reached Butwal too!
Designing and implementing impactful projects for cause never felt like work. I had the golden opportunity to implement the Leadership Coaching Program in 2020 for FIRST elected Female Deputy Mayors of the country to provide leadership coaching support. While working closely with them, I got to listen to their stories, their personal and professional journey of courage, hard work and the unseen and uncounted ‘hurdles’ women leaders still face in the society today including public service and governance. Women leadership and inclusion in general, is still limited to the ‘reservation and quota’ but not actual decision making. This strengthened my passion for learning more about inclusion and female leadership in governance, law and civic engagement seeking ways to support them.
(Group picture on left with the female deputy mayors of Nepal engaged in the leadership coaching program in 2021 and picture on right with civic leaders of Lumbini and Madhesh in 2024)
And the stars aligned, my brilliant colleague Samanata and I, got the opportunity to implement the USAID’s Civil Society and Media project in 2022 to strengthen civil society in Lumbini and Madhesh province. Two young women, flew off to Lumbini and Madhesh to understand and explore the engagement of Women, youth and marginalized communities in civic space. We co-designed programs to support activists in these regions. In 2024, I got the opportunity to lead USAID’s Civil society and Media project for 57 civic leaders with my biggest support and colleague throughout: Rashi Maharjan. Two young women brought together civil society leaders of 3 provinces and 7 districts to space, to engage with local and provincial level associations and organizations for inclusion of WYM communities in governance. Women just need the chance and space to lead. Thanks to Padmakshi Di, for giving me the creative freedom and space to lead, design and implement the project with utmost trust and support and often reminding me: ‘Rachana, do not hesitate girl, you can do it!’
I had the chance to meet and work with 100+ amazing and inspiring Nepali businesses and makers and probably thousands of innovators, crazy yet visionary ideators, like-minded tribe members along the way. The opportunity to work closely with civil society leaders, specifically representatives from Women, Youth and Marginalized Communities, including people with disabilities, beyond the valley bubble, helped me learn and understand Nepal very closely in these years. The IHK journey is personally very dear to me as we saw the cycles of ups and downs, innovating and paving way through uncertainties and building solid growth from the ground. That’s the experience and values I’m walking out from this hub today.
I am forever grateful to my seniors throughout my time here- for pushing and guiding me throughout when the path seemed difficult and daunting! Thank you for throwing me into the stage, leadership roles, questioning and enabling me to solve the toughest challenges! I am equally grateful to dear team members, colleagues, and my juniors for all the support in the work I was doing! Thank you for the amazing moments, jokes, loud laughter, and taato momos, jerry swari, pakauda, samosa and chatpate….
I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to run impactful and diverse projects with the Impact Hub team in my time here—from building friendships and connections within and outside Nepal, to crossing paths with thousands of amazing, inspiring, and motivating people and hear their stories. I always say, I am incubated at IHK!
I am leaving with a heart full of gratitude, love, and immense pride for the work we have done together, a vibrant hub that we’ve built together step by step. And I’m excited to witness all the magic IHK will continue to create! The best is yet to come!
