KATHMANDU: The Finland government has committed to provide 4.2 million euros to UNICEF’S efforts in Nepal to enhance quality services for children.
Finland’s Ambassador to Nepal Ms. Riina-Riikka Heikka, and Ms. Usha Mishra, UNICEF Representative to Nepal signed a partnership agreement for the years 2023-2027 at a ceremony organized in Kathmandu on Friday.
Finland and UNICEF have been collaborating in the education sector in Nepal since 2019, and the agreed support is a continuation of this partnership.
According to Ambassador Heikka, the renewed partnership will focus on strengthening school readiness, foundational learning and inclusive education models, targeting particularly the most vulnerable children.
“UNICEF is one of Finland’s long-term partners in Nepal. The good relations are based on mutual understanding, common goals, common commitment and joint efforts to promote sustainable development in Nepal”, the Ambassador said, adding, “Education is one of the key pillars of Finland’s Country Program for Development Cooperation in Nepal. We need strong partnerships in order to jointly strive for inclusive quality education.”
She shared that the program also addresses those children who have been particularly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic or other disasters e.g. floods, in terms of their access to education participation and learning outcomes.
The partnership also supports the new School Education Sector Plan (SESP) of the Government of Nepal, to which both Finland and UNICEF are contributing.
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