This report considers the existing range of programmes offering both employment and social protection in Nepal, including a range of PWPs (including employment-intensive infrastructure programmes (EIIPs)) and also the regional Karnali Employment Programme (KEP).

It explores both domestic and donor-related political economy considerations relating to the provision of social protection through an Employment Guarantee (EG) approach. The extent to which such a reorientation may be desirable and feasible is found to be linked to a variety of factors related to the political economy of reform and the geo-social distribution of poverty and labour in the country.

Three key themes emerged from consultations and a selective review of the relevant literature: domestic drivers of programme proliferation; donors’ own motivations; and the nature of donor–government relations.