Welcome to the Research and Capacity Development Center!

Since 1983, various capacity development programs have been implemented through the Human Resource Development Program section of the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management to enhance the capacity of stakeholders in the drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector. This section had also been conducting various trainings through the National Water Supply and Sanitation Training Center located in Nagarkot. The center has played a significant role in enhancing the capacity of organizations, stakeholders, and consumers working in the WASH sector and is recognized as a training center certified under the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System.

In this context, as per the decision of the Council of Ministers on Chaitra 11, 2081 B.S. (March 24, 2025), an organizational and management survey was conducted of the Ministry of Water Supply and the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management. As a result, the National Water Supply and Sanitation Research, Innovation, and Capacity Development Center was established under the Ministry to take over and continue the training and capacity development activities previously managed by the Human Resource Development Program section.

Following the Government of Nepal’s decision, this newly established center officially started operations from Baisakh 3, 2082 B.S. (April 15, 2025), based in Nagarkot. Institutionally, the center has an approved staff capacity of 27 employees, including permanent, temporary, and contract-based positions. The training center premises in Nagarkot include a hostel and office building with 76 rooms designated for trainers, trainees, and staff. The center operates with facilities such as a library, training halls, canteen, transport services, security personnel, managers, and support staff.

Located on a hilltop in Nagarkot, Bhaktapur — around one hour’s drive from Kathmandu — the center spans approximately 20 ropanis of land. From this location, one can enjoy views of the Himalayan mountain range to the north and surrounding forests and beautiful natural scenery.

For the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 B.S. (2025/26), the center aims to conduct a range of activities, including research, knowledge management, groundwater recharge programs, arsenic monitoring, and various capacity-building initiatives. The center is currently assessing the current skills, knowledge, and expertise of personnel working in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector at the local level. Based on this assessment, it seeks to identify the topics, priorities, and methodologies needed for future training programs.

Likewise, the center aims to identify the challenges faced by municipalities due to a lack of training and develop practical, context-specific, and effective training program designs as solutions.

In this regard, the center is also conducting a study on the training needs of municipalities and provincial-level entities. Furthermore, the center has set a goal to conduct various studies, research, and innovations in the water supply and sanitation sector. To achieve this, it is working in coordination with various national institutions, universities, municipalities, provinces, and international development partners.

The center strongly believes that its efforts in research, study, and capacity development will make an invaluable contribution to Nepal’s water supply and sanitation sector.