Institutional Analysis of Social Protection and Labour (SPL) Programmes at Nepal’s Subnational Levels

Democracy Resource Center Nepal (DRCN), with financial and technical assistance from the World Bank, implemented a Process Mapping and Institutional Analysis of Social Protection and Labour (SPL) programmes at Nepal’s subnational levels between August 2025 and June 2026. The study aimed to map and institutionally analyze the key delivery processes of SPL programs at provincial and local levels, covering three categories of interventions: federal SPL programmes implemented at the local level, provincially designed and implemented SPL programmes, and locally initiated SPL programmes. The analysis combined extensive desk review with fieldwork conducted across three provinces and six selected local governments, and assessed organizational structures, institutional arrangements, and political economy factors that support or inhibit SPL implementation. The study also reviewed social protection expenditures and examined administrative aspects of SPL programmes, including beneficiary targetting and programme outcomes. The study presented strategic recommendations toward a more integrated and effective subnational SPL architecture for greater impact.