Safe houses built
Tonnes CO2 saved
Nepal is one of the world's most disaster prone countries, but poor families cannot afford to build safe homes, most of which are still built with bricks. The coal-fired brick industry is responsible for 37% of CO2 emissions from combustion in Nepal, dangerous air pollution and poor working conditions.
We train local entrepreneurs to make climate-friendly Eco-bricks, build safe, affordable homes, and create jobs in low-income communities.
Build up Nepal recruits local entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs invest in low-cost machine
Entrepreneurs are trained to make Eco-bricks
Entrepreneurs build safer, cheaper, greener homes and schools
We are on a mission to replace polluting fired bricks with eco-friendly ones, and to make safe housing affordable for poor communities. Our interlocking Compressed Stabilised Earth Block (CSEB) Eco-Bricks are made off-grid with local materials and minimal cement. Build up Nepal is piloting Climate Smart Homes, which feature improved roofing, insulation and passive design to manage extreme temperatures and increase comfort.
75% less CO2
25% lower cost
Disaster resilient
In 2015, a massive earthquake hit Nepal, claiming thousands of lives and destroying over 800,000 homes. Build up Nepal was founded to help affected communities rebuild sustainably. We have grown into a nationwide movement that reimagines construction as a force for climate action, opportunity, and a better future for all. We are the proud winner of the 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize for Climate Action - see our work in action below!
We are proud of our entrepreneurs, who create jobs and build long-term resilience in remote communities across Nepal. They are helping to create a greener, safer, more equitable world.
200
Over half our entrepreneurs are from disadvantaged groups. (CERAD, 2025)
12 143
All our structures withstood the 2023 earthquake in west Nepal, and saved lives.
1 943
73% of jobs in production and construction are held by those from disadvantaged groups. (CERAD, 2025)
122 989
By replacing coal-fired bricks with our Eco-bricks, we cut CO2 emissions by 75%. (Max Fordham, 2021)
Basanta Kapilvastu, Entrepreneur
Nar Bharati, Entrepreneur
All Eco-brick structures withstood the earthquake, building trust in our technology
Rebuild 10,000 homes and become the leading solution for low-cost, safe housing
We urgently need to get more people in safe homes, and transition away from carbon-intensive building materials, to an affordable, eco-friendly alternative.
Safe homes built
enterprises started
green jobs created
Save half a million tonnes CO2 emissions and become the leading solution for low-cost housing in South Asia.
Build up Nepal is extremely proud to be a 2024 Earthshot Prize Finalist in the Fix Our Climate category. Watch this stunning short film that captures the spirit of our work.
Get in touch to find out how we can build better, together.
