A glimpse into history! In the photo, Markku Voutilainen, one of the first workers of the FELM in Nepal, teaching rural youth who had dropped out of school and learning to raise rabbits. The project operated in central Nepal from 1979 to 1983.
Introduction
Samari Utthan Seva (SUS) was established in 2008 by committed youths from the Dalit community. SUS is a dedicated civil society organisation (CSO) in Nepal, particularly active in the central and eastern Tarai and Chure hills across Chitwan, Sarlahi, and Morang districts. The organisation focuses on promoting social and economic empowerment of Dalit, Women, Climate Migrants and other ethno-religious minorities.
SUS takes the privilege of recognising Mr Markku Voutilainen, from Finland, as its Honourable Member, for his contributions to establishing the organisation. Mr Voutilainen worked as the development cooperation coordinator for the FELM in Nepal. SUS takes pride in noting that Mr Voutilainen initiated and personally implemented the Uplift Project (UP)—an Empowerment and Community Development initiative targeting poor and oppressed communities (Dalits and landless individuals) in Badarjhula (Chitwan district) and Punarbas (Sarlahi district) from 2005 to 2007. This project laid the foundation for SUS. Following its completion, drawing from the practical experiences gained during a conflict situation and the inspiration from its results-oriented outcomes, a team led by Bimala Devi Gayak (See personal memoir ofBimala Gayak)—including former project staff—was formed to establish the organisation.
SUS Coverage: SUS operates its center office in Madi Municipality Chitwan, and laision office in Lalitpur, Kathmandu. Similarly, it operates its field officies in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudoorpashim Provinces.
The five-year Strategic Plan (2023–2027) of SUS highlights the organisation’s proven approaches, such as its three-pillar strategy for sustainable livelihood and empowerment, which emphasises collaboration among community-based organisations (CBOs), cooperatives, and SUS to maximise impact for target groups. The plan also focuses on organisational values, a detailed analysis of thematic and policy contexts, new target demographics including young women and adolescent girls/youth, expanded geographies, and potential risks. Based on these elements, it formulates strategic priorities, implementation strategies, and expected outcomes.
Samari Utthan Sewa Organizational Policies
Organisational Charter, 2008
Financial Administration Policy, 2009
Human Resource Policy 2008
Code of Conduct, 2009
Vehicle Policy of Samari Utthan Sewa, 2009
Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy, 2023
Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy, First Amendment, 2025
Community Feedback, Grievance and Hearing Guidelines, 2025
Monitoring and Evaluation Guideline, 2025
Economic, Operational, and Other External Risk Management Policy, 2025
Safeguarding Policy-2025
Communication policy, First Amendment, 2025
Scholarship Policy, First Amendment, 2025
Target Groups
SUS strategically focuses its efforts on empowering marginalized communities across Nepal, particularly in the central and eastern Tarai and Chure hill regions. At the core of SUS’s mission are its primary target groups, chosen for their acute vulnerabilities and the pressing need to address systemic inequalities. This includes Dalit communities, who have historically faced caste-based discrimination and exclusion; Chepang communities, recognized as one of the most marginalized tribal minority groups in Chitwan district, often displaced from forests and national parks due to land policies and traditional occupations; women and girls from ethno-religious backgrounds grappling with gender disparities and economic barriers; and a broader spectrum of women, girls, boys, men, and sexual minority groups subjected to human rights violations, social injustices, and the risks associated with internal migration—particularly into labor-intensive sectors like agriculture, entertainment, and domestic works. By targeting these groups, SUS aims to provide comprehensive support in areas like education, health, livelihood security, and rights advocacy, fostering resilience and self-advocacy among those most affected by exclusion.
Complementing these primary efforts, SUS engages secondary target groups to amplify its impact through collaboration and mobilization. This encompasses community-based organizations (CBOs) and cooperatives linked to the primary groups, which play crucial roles in grassroots advocacy and resource sharing; local, district, provincial, and national CSOs and their networks, essential for policy-level changes and systemic reforms; individual human rights defenders, activists, champions, artists, and celebrities at all levels, who bring visibility and inspiration to the cause; local and provincial government officials and elected representatives, key to influencing governance and resource allocation; business sector associations, including AES business owners and other actors, to promote ethical labor practices and economic inclusion; and media organizations alongside university and academic institutions dedicated to the rights of marginalized groups, which contribute through research, awareness campaigns, and public discourse.
Working Approaches
SUS, a human rights-based socio-economic empowerment and policy advocacy initatives, adopts several key strategic approaches to influence stakeholders at various levels.
Applying a Social Inclusion Approach, SUS prioritizes inter-sectional groups, including women, girls, ethnic minorities, Dalits, people with disabilities, and sexual minorities, ensuring diversity and focus on the most vulnerable.
The Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) frames development as a fundamental right, empowering rights-holders (e.g., primary target groups) while holding duty-bearers accountable, reducing dependency, and promoting dignified life.
Partnerships involve collaborating with governores, CSOs, academia, media, and businesses to address complex issues like poverty and climate change, amplifying collective impact.
SUS employs an Evidence-Based Strategic Advocacy Approach, using data from research and community interventions to drive policy reform, implementation, and monitoring for tangible results.
The Men and Boys Engagement Approach engages them as change agents to support gender equality, SRHR, and inclusive societal norms.
Finally, the Conflict Sensitive Approach/Do No Harm mitigates risks in rights-based work, especially with displaced communities, by promoting harmony and peaceful, non-discriminatory strategies.
