Sunita Bhandari (she/her)

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? Tell us about your EE work and impact.

Currently I am working  as the Sustainability Coordinator at BlinkNow/Kopila Valley Sewa Samaj based in Surkhet, Nepal, where I work to integrate sustainability into the teaching & learning process. I work with teachers to develop the Education for Sustainability (EfS) curriculum and permaculture-based gardening curriculum, leading the integration of place-based and experiential learning activities with multiple disciplines based on the national curriculum. I also assist at an environmentally-friendly school,  ensuring that all the programs have sustainability integrated into their daily operations. I help Kopila Valley families and communities use regenerative agriculture activities and other eco-friendly practices to make their homes more sustainable.

Tell us about your journey to where you are today. What inspired you? What has your path been like?

I was born and raised in the small village of Syangja, Nepal, where I spent my childhood being close to nature in the rural setting. I believe this is one of the reasons I pursued environmental science for my bachelor’s degree. Since my college days, I have been part of multiple youth-led organizations and networks that use youth-led initiatives to address environmental issues. I worked as the City Environment Volunteer for Kathmandu Metropolitan city where we worked with schools o form and facilitate Eco-Club activities. With my friends at college, we formed the Youths for Environmental Solution club and became more engaged in environmental actions. I joined Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA) as a Clean Air Ambassador,an amazing platform for networking with people with similar mindset and initiating youth-led environmental actions. Also I joined a youth organization named YUWA where I was involved in projects to work with and for youths around Nepal.

From all of these experiences, I developed a deeper interest in exploring a master’s degree in Environmental Science. After completing my master’s degree, I joined BlinkNow/ Kopila Valley Sewa Samaj. With over three years working as a sustainability officer/coordinator, I have gained  insights on education for sustainability, sustainable food systems, youth-led approaches to solving the environmental issues, community solution programs, along with the experience of working in close collaboration with different levels of government.

I have a deep compassion for the people around me and the planet. Getting into the EE 30 Under 30 network of young people and aligning with the synergy of community work has always been my area of deep interest.

A Little More About Me

If you could be any animal or plant, what would you be and why?

I would choose to be a mango tree in a community space, contributing my fruits to community people being part of the ecological process.

What are you happiest doing?

Watching birds, exploring places and cultures, connecting young people to nature, and  inspiring love, care and appreciation for nature.

What’s your favorite food to celebrate with?

Mushroom curry and millet bread

How do you recharge?

I recharge myself by spending time outdoors, reading books, and meditating.