27/09/2026
With the support of CARE Nepal and its partner organizations Utopia, WOREC, and the Federation of Woman Entrepreneursโ Associations of Nepal (FWEAN), FWEAN Lumbini Province successfully organized a one-day marketplace event in Butwal.
This marks the first province-level marketplace initiative of FWEAN, creating a platform for local and youth entrepreneurs and businesses to showcase and promote their products while developing opportunities for networking, visibility, and market access.
The Women Entrepreneur Marketplace Event, held on 21 September 2026, brought together women entrepreneurs, buyers, financial institutions, local government representatives, civil society, and development partners to strengthen connections between women-led businesses and wider market opportunities.
The event featured 30 women-led micro and small enterprises, more than 35 institutional buyers and financial representatives, and over 185 stakeholders, civil society members, and visitors. With 52 product showcase stalls, participants presented locally produced agro-processing products, handicrafts, traditional foods, handloom textiles, cleaning products, and other women-led enterprises.
Key highlights of the event included:
โข Product showcases connecting women entrepreneurs with potential customers and buyers
โข B2B interactions and financial matchmaking with businesses, hospitality-sector representatives, wholesalers, and financial institutions
โข Panel discussions on market access, collateral requirements, financial literacy, unpaid care work, and the role of local governments
โข Introduction of the โMa Udhyamiโ trademark to women producers in Lumbini Province
โข Graduation of young women entrepreneurs from the Didi Bahini Incubation Program
The event also provided an important space for women entrepreneurs to engage with local government representatives on enterprise registration, local support mechanisms, tax-related provisions, and opportunities for entrepreneurship development.
Representing the Federation of Woman Entrepreneursโ Associations of Nepal (FWEAN) at the event were President Ms. Darshana Shrestha , First Vice President Ms. Sunita Vaidya Shrestha , General Secretary Ms. Sabita Subedi Executive Director Ms. Joshi, and Senior Office Assistant Ms. Shrestha.
By bringing together entrepreneurs, businesses, markets, financial institutions, and public stakeholders, the marketplace marked an important step in strengthening province-level platforms for women entrepreneurs to gain visibility, connect with markets, explore financial opportunities, and grow their businesses.