Build Up Nepal Engineering Pvt. Ltd, a community-based enterprise in Lalitpur focused on rural empowerment, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Deprosc Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (microfinance company) to facilitate the reconstruction of earthquake-affected areas in Nepal. This partnership aims to empower entrepreneurs to establish small enterprises for producing specialized interlocking bricks called Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB) in the districts of Jajarkot and Rukum West to build back better.

The MoU focuses on rebuilding houses and infrastructure damaged by the Jajarkot earthquake that occurred on November 3, 2023. Reports indicate that over 79,000 houses in these districts require reconstruction.

Under this agreement, loans totaling Rs 60 million will be mobilized to support 150 small entrepreneurs aiming to produce CSEB interlocking bricks. This initiative is expected to contribute to the reconstruction of nearly 10,000 disaster-resistant houses in the coming years.

Issuing a statement, Build Up Nepal said they will provide a 100% interest rate subsidy on loans disbursed through Deprox Microfinance, alleviating the financial burden on entrepreneurs and encouraging enterprise development.

At the MoU signing ceremony in Kathmandu, Deprosc Microfinance Company’s CEO Shesh Raman Acharya stated, "Through our partnership with Build Up Nepal, we aim to support aspiring entrepreneurs in Jajarkot and Rukum West to set up small enterprises to manufacture CSEB interlocking bricks. This will help rebuild homes and buildings and create sustainable economic opportunities."

Similarly, Bjorn Söderberg, co-founder and managing director of Build Up Nepal, expressed confidence that the project will provide the necessary support for entrepreneurs to quickly start their CSEB interlocking brick manufacturing businesses, significantly contributing to the reconstruction efforts in Jajarkot and Rukum West.

Build Up Nepal has been instrumental in assisting rural communities and entrepreneurs in constructing earthquake-resistant houses at low costs, the statement added. The organisation provides essential machinery, training, and long-term support for producing environmentally friendly bricks using CSEB interlocking brick technology.

Meanwhile, Deprosc Microfinance aims to foster self-reliant employment by developing entrepreneurship within marginalized and low-income communities in rural areas.