Innovative and locally-led
We support rural entrepreneurs and communities to produce interlocking eco-bricks and build affordable, disaster-resilient homes. Here’s our model in a nutshell!
The challenge
Nepal has suffered unimaginable loss in the past decade – over a million homes destroyed by earthquakes and floods. 2.7 million people are still in urgent need of affordable, safe housing (2021 Census). The country’s traditional reliance on coal-fired bricks is a leading cause of pollution and contributes to 37% of its CO2 emissions from combustion. Poor families cannot afford to build a safe home, leaving them in vulnerable housing conditions.
Our model
What makes our model transformative is our decentralised micro-enterprise approach. We train and equip disadvantaged communities, particularly youth and women, to establish local construction businesses. These entrepreneurs produce eco-bricks, build affordable, safe homes in their towns and villages, create green jobs, strengthen local economies, and lead their own climate adaptation.
Our model is disruptive in three ways:
- Affordability – By reducing the cost of safe housing by 25%, we unlock access for families previously excluded from durable construction.
- Scalability – Our model grows organically through our network of community-led enterprises, each spreading knowledge and resilience.
- A challenge to the status quo – We directly challenge the coal-fired brick industry, which is responsible for significant pollution and emissions, by offering a cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable alternative.
Build up Nepal is proving that safer, greener homes do not have to come at a higher cost, and that climate adaptation can go hand-in-hand with economic empowerment. Our model can transform the low-cost housing sector into one that works for both people and the planet.
Creating micro-enterprises
Over 28% of Nepal’s population lives in poverty, mostly in rural areas, while 35% of youth are not in employment, education or training (ILO, 2017), forcing many to migrate in search of work.
We support rural entrepreneurs, who are mostly from disadvantaged groups, to produce eco-friendly bricks and build disaster resilient houses. They invest in the machine, set-up and materials and we provide training, quality assurance and long-term support. Each micro-enterprise acts as a sustainable economic engine in the community, creating jobs, building homes and driving resilience.
Impact per year
10-20 low-cost houses built
8-12 green jobs created
Up to 190 tonnes of CO2 emissions saved
Listen to Majhigaun's story
Empowering rural communities
The technology is especially effective in poor, rural communities. Families can come together in groups, make their own eco-bricks and build their own homes at low cost.
Safe schools
Build up Nepal works as a construction partner for NGOs and INGOs to build schools, health posts and community buildings in rural areas. See our designs for eco-friendly, earthquake resistant schools at 20% lower cost than fired bricks.
Each classroom we build is a training for local builders and entrepreneurs ensuring a long-term development in the village.
Designs, drawings and details about eco-friendly schools
Inclusive construction
We believe in an inclusive construction sector and actively seek out those from disadvantaged groups, particularly women and youths. Currently, 28% of our micro-enterprises are women led or co-led and we are working to increase this number.
“Being a woman in the construction business posed its own hurdles. Convincing local authorities wasn’t easy, but I refused to give up. I believe in the potential of interlocking brick technology. This journey has taught me resilience and strengthened my resolve. I’m more confident than ever in the path I’ve chosen.” Basanta Pandey Kapilvastu, Entrepreneur.