START: JAN/26/2023 | END: JUL/25/2025 | FUNDING: $300,000
OVERVIEW
The clay-fired brick industry contributes significantly to Nepal’s air pollution and is characterized by dirty, dangerous, and exploitative working conditions. USAID Building Green activity supports the production and stimulates the demand for more environmentally friendly, affordable alternative building materials.
HIGHLIGHT
USAID Building Green fosters eco-friendly construction by supporting micro-entrepreneurs, to produce Compressed Stabilized Earth Bricks (CSEB). This activity empowers 125 micro-entrepreneurs (incl. 35 from disadvantaged communities) to establish/expand eco-friendly brick START production (CSEB).
USAID Building Green Eco-Friendly construction in Nepal
USAID Building Green activity tackles Nepal's construction industry's reliance on clay-fired bricks, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. The activity tackles this issue from both the supply and demand sides.
Supporting green brick production
USAID Building Green empowers micro and small entrepreneurs, including those from marginalized communities, to establish or expand Compressed Stabilized Earth Brick (CSEB) production facilities. CSEB is a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative made from local soil, sand, and minimal cement. It requires no firing, reducing emissions and dependence on long supply chains. The activity aims to improve production machinery and techniques, ensuring quality and minimizing environmental impact.
Stimulating demand for green construction
USAID Building Green generates market demand for CSEB and other eco-friendly materials. This includes training construction professionals and consumers about the benefits of green building practices. Additionally, the activity supports the formation of a consortium of green building material producers and installers, further strengthening the market for sustainable construction solutions.
