Deadline:
May 31, 2026About the Happel Foundation:
The Happel Foundation (Happel Stiftung) is a Swiss charitable foundation domiciled in Lucerne, Switzerland. It has two focal points of support — projects in developing countries aimed at reducing poverty, and projects supporting people in Switzerland (mainly Central Switzerland) who are in distress. For international projects, the Foundation is active primarily in the areas of food security, health, education, and entrepreneurship. The Foundation follows the principle of "help for self-help" by promoting sustainable improvement in the life circumstances of beneficiaries, meaning that recipients of funding are actively involved in problem-solving and demonstrate corresponding drive themselves. By promoting the use of technology and novel effective approaches, the Foundation strives for efficiency and economies of scale. The Foundation's geographic focus is on Asia and Africa, with current priority given exclusively to Asia-focused applications.
Four Areas of International Funding:
The Happel Foundation funds projects that create impact in at least one of four areas. Food Security — projects that improve access to nutritious food, strengthen agricultural value chains, support smallholder farmers, and build food system resilience. Health — projects that improve access to basic healthcare, maternal health, disease prevention, and health education, particularly using technology to reach underserved populations. Education — projects that improve access to quality education, vocational training, skills development, and alternative learning approaches including technology-based education. Entrepreneurship — projects that support small business development, job creation, value chain development, access to finance, and economic empowerment of young people and communities.
Key Decision Criteria:
The most crucial factors in the Foundation's decision-making are impact in at least one of the four focus areas (food security, health, education, small businesses), geographic focus on Asia and Africa (currently only Asia is being considered), use of modern communication technology, scalability and replicability of the approach, and sustainability — meaning that support leads to permanent improvement of the situation or abilities of beneficiaries in the spirit of start-up aid. The Foundation also evaluates the applying organisation in terms of reputation, performance, experience, and operational excellence.
What the Foundation Does NOT Fund:
The Foundation is usually not involved in environmental and climate protection (as standalone topics), political and legal framework conditions, or advocacy/lobbying. Projects must be focused on direct poverty alleviation through the four specified areas.
Nepal — Active and Priority Funding:
Nepal is one of the Happel Foundation's most actively funded countries. The Foundation currently supports at least two projects in Nepal, and its current policy of considering only Asia-focused applications places Nepal in a priority position.
InELAM Project (with Helvetas): The Foundation's flagship Nepal programme. InELAM (Innovation for Employment and Labour Market) supports young people in Nepal to develop innovative business ideas and establish small businesses using local resources. The project is now in Phase 3, with a history spanning from 2017 to the present.
Phase 1 (2017–2020) created over 1,500 businesses and 11,400 jobs in target regions.
Phase 2 established additional value chains based on locally available raw materials and recyclable resources.
Phase 3 focuses on promoting a green, innovative economy using underutilised local resources such as Himalayan nettles, dairy products, beekeeping, bamboo, organic dyes, and waste-recycling businesses. The project includes startup hubs, learning centres, business boot camps, innovative financial products with local cooperatives and financial institutions, digital platforms for market connections, and specially trained business consultants. The Happel Foundation describes itself as a "long-standing partner of Helvetas" in the InELAM project.
MITO Project: A technology-focused project bringing nut processing machinery and agricultural technology progress to Nepal, enabling local processing of agricultural products and adding value within the country.
The InELAM Model — What It Demonstrates for New Applicants:
The InELAM project provides a clear template for what the Happel Foundation looks for in Nepal proposals. It uses local resources (Himalayan nettles, bamboo, dairy, beekeeping, organic dyes). It creates jobs and small businesses — direct poverty alleviation through entrepreneurship. It employs technology — digital platforms, innovative financial products. It is scalable — grew from Phase 1 to Phase 3 with increasing scope. It demonstrates sustainability — businesses and value chains continue beyond the project period. It follows "help for self-help" — young people develop and implement their own business ideas with support. It partners with a reputable organisation (Helvetas) with proven Nepal track record.
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted via the Foundation's online application platform at https://request-happel.alphafoundation.app/index.php?id=27. No applications are accepted via email or letter. The Foundation reviews applications on a rolling basis — there is no deadline or fixed funding cycle. Applicants should study the Foundation's areas of activity and criteria carefully before submitting. Currently, only applications focusing on countries in Asia are being considered — this is stated explicitly on the website.
Who Should Apply from Nepal:
Organisations working in Nepal on food security (agricultural value chains, smallholder support, nutritious food access, food processing), health (basic healthcare access, maternal and child health, telemedicine, health worker training, community health), education (vocational training, skills development, technology-based learning, alternative education for out-of-school youth), or entrepreneurship (small business development, job creation, value chain development, youth economic empowerment, access to finance). The Foundation values innovation, technology use, scalability, and sustainability. New applicants should demonstrate how their project creates lasting change, not just short-term relief. Partnership with established organisations (like Helvetas) may strengthen applications, though this is not a requirement.
Nepal Relevance Across All Four Areas:
Food Security: Nepal has significant smallholder farming communities, food insecurity in remote districts, and opportunities for local food processing and value addition. Health: Nepal has gaps in rural healthcare access, maternal health services, and community health infrastructure — technology-enabled health solutions align with Foundation priorities. Education: Nepal faces challenges with youth unemployment, school dropouts, and skills mismatches — vocational training and technology-based learning are highly relevant. Entrepreneurship: With 500,000 young Nepalis entering the job market annually and insufficient employment opportunities, small business development and green economy initiatives (exactly what InELAM addresses) are directly relevant.
KEY DETAILS
Discover a wide range of careers across every industry from design and tech to healthcare and finance. Find roles that match your skills and passion, and take the next step toward your dream job.
Deadline: Oct 12, 2026
McGraw Fellowship: Up to $15,000 + editorial support for experienced journalists producing investigative/enterprise stories with business/economic angle. 5+ years experience. Twice yearly. Nepal relevant.
Deadline: Oct 31, 2026
Girls First Fund: $5,000–$50,000 grants for community-based organisations ending child marriage. Nepal is 1 of only 6 eligible countries. Flexible multi-year core support. 87% to women/girl-led groups.
Deadline: Oct 31, 2026
Global Fund for Community Foundations: $7,000–$20,000 small grants for community foundations, women's funds, grassroots grantmakers. Asia listed. Nepal eligible. Rolling — no fixed deadline. #ShiftThePower.
Deadline: Oct 31, 2026
Lawrence Foundation: $5,000–$10,000 grants for environment and disaster relief — international work eligible through US 501(c)(3) or fiscal sponsor. Simple application. Nepal conditionally eligible. Oct 31.
