What does opportunity look like for young people in Nepal today? This was the central question behind Chiya, Chaso and Opportunity, an initiative by Tanneri Chaso that brings young people together for conversations about opportunities, challenges, and their aspirations for the future.
At a time when much of the public discourse suggests that young people see their future primarily abroad, our conversations in Nepalgunj offered a different perspective. Over a cup of tea, we met young people who aspire to build their futures in Nepal, with many expressing a desire to create opportunities and grow in their own city.
The discussion explored how young people perceive opportunities in their communities, the sectors they believe hold potential, and the challenges they face in pursuing their ambitions. While agriculture was recognised as an important sector requiring greater investment, participants also spoke about their interest in entrepreneurship and growing their existing businesses and professions. From hotels and cafés to podcasts and beauty parlours, young people shared their aspirations to expand their ventures, develop their skills, and do more in the fields they are already engaged in, provided they have access to the necessary investment and support.
The conversation also touched on access to opportunities. While personal connections and political affiliations were perceived by some as continuing to influence who gets ahead, participants expressed optimism that skills and capabilities are increasingly important in accessing opportunities. Their perspectives highlighted the need to better understand how opportunities are created, who can access them, and what role policies, institutions, investment, and leadership play in shaping young people’s futures.
More Than an Event: Making Space for Conversation
For Tanneri Chaso, Chiya, Chaso and Opportunity is about more than organising an event. It is an opportunity to meet people, listen to their experiences, and create space for conversations that often get lost amid broader discussions about politics, the economy, and the country’s future.
The choice of chiya is intentional. Tea has long been a part of Nepal’s social life—a reason to gather, exchange ideas, share experiences, and build connections. As tea shops and cafés continue to serve as social spaces, they also reflect the entrepreneurial interests of a new generation.
By bringing young people together over tea, Tanneri Chaso seeks to shift the conversation from what the country needs in general to what young people themselves need, want, experience, and hope for. Their perspectives can help deepen our understanding of the opportunities available to young people, the barriers they encounter, and the changes needed to support their aspirations.
Sometimes, before talking about changing the country, we need to sit down and listen to the people trying to build their lives in it.
Chiya. Chaso. Conversation. Opportunity.
