Partnership for Growth of Nepali Dhaka (PNGD)
Established with catalytic support from the UKaid Skills for Employment Programme (सीप), the Palpali Dhaka Association (PDA), comprises of Dhaka (fabric) producing entrepreneurs from Palpa who have come together to collectively improve the quality and design of the fabric; boost skills development for job creation and enhanced worker and firm productivity; and promote Dhaka products in the domestic and global markets. Revival of the Palpali Dhaka industry while also promoting job creation is a top priority for the industry as well as for the Government of Province 5.
With technical assistance and co-investment from UKaid सीप and the Provincial and Municipal Government, the Association will lead a multistakeholder partnership, which was launched in February 2020, designed to upgrade the training infrastructure and capacity at the factories, generate gainful employment for more than 1,500 Nepalese by 2022, inject innovation in fabric design, strengthen backwards and forward market linkages and enable access to finance for entrepreneurs and home-based weavers.
Summary of Activities:
1. Establish improved training infrastructure with setup of a collectively owned training center in Tansen Municipality and by building decent training infrastructure at the factories such as adding new equipment, training spaces, and accommodation for women.
2. Train the Trainers at the factories to boost their delivery capacity on both hard and soft skills.
3. Co-develop an integrated curriculum featuring technical and relevant soft skills – and methodology at the Factories with standardization for assured quality.
4. Enable access to finance for at least 150 trainees to avail hand-loom technology and enable self-employment for home-based weavers.
5. In partnership with local Employment Service Centers, community-based organizations, and NGOs working for women and disadvantaged groups, mobilize trainees through targeted, impact-oriented marketing, communication, and collaborations.
6. Conduct one to six-month training on job roles: weavers, technicians, designers, tailors etc.
7. In collaboration with national public institutions like the National Skill Testing Board and National Skills Qualification System, the Association will facilitate and encourage recognition of the improved curriculum and certification with national and international bodies.
8. Undertake research and stakeholder engagement to identify and pursue growth markets in collaboration with Label STEP and other design- and marketing-savvy entrepreneurs in Kathmandu.
9. Build capability for stronger marketing and branding, including Fair Trade standards development and compliance with support from Label STEP.
10. Initiate and explore cooperation with the Nepali Yarn Manufacturers Association for backward market linkages—buying Nepal-made raw materials.
11. Facilitate job placements with certification from the Association for successful training graduates