23rd May 2025, Kathmandu
The Nepal Bankers’ Association (NBA) recently organized a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) program on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Sustainable Finance. The event was held in partnership with UPF Barcelona School of Management (BSM) and Invest for Impact Nepal (IIN).
NBA ESG Trainer Program
This initiative aims to build local expertise in sustainable banking. It is part of the NBA’s growing efforts to integrate ESG values into Nepal’s financial sector.
Strong Collaboration and Purpose
The NBA worked closely with BSM and IIN to launch this specialized training. The goal was clear—develop trainers who can promote ESG concepts across Nepal’s banking institutions.
Previously, the NBA had conducted a Certified ESG Course with BSM. That course certified 80 professionals in the sector. Building on that momentum, the NBA designed this ToT program for selected officials from the first course.
These participants needed more than knowledge. They required the skills to teach ESG practices in their banks. This training focused on both technical content and training delivery methods.
Learning from International Experts
The three-day course featured top faculty members from BSM. Prof. Dr. Marcos Eguiguren Huerta and Prof. Dr. Andrei Boar led the sessions in person. Mr. Mikel Garcia-Prieto Arrabal joined virtually as a subject expert.
The sessions covered a wide range of topics. Participants learned about:
Global and regional ESG trends
Sustainability in financial strategies
Course design and presentation methods
Effective training techniques
Case study creation
International best practices
Trainers encouraged discussion and interaction. This created an engaging learning environment. Each session was carefully structured to help participants both understand the content and learn how to teach it effectively.
Focused Objectives and Clear Impact
The main objectives of the training were:
Deepen participants’ knowledge of ESG and sustainable finance
Equip them with the tools to teach others
Build a network of certified in-house trainers
Support a long-term transition to responsible banking in Nepal
The NBA believes that these trainers will now help spread awareness and action. They can lead ESG-focused workshops in their own institutions. In addition, they can support peer banks in doing the same.
This approach ensures that the knowledge reaches beyond a single event. It will help embed ESG values into Nepal’s banking operations and culture.
Participation and Certification
The training welcomed 21 senior officials from various NBA member banks. Each participant completed the full course and received certification. They are now recognized as Certified ESG Trainers.
These individuals will play an active role in rolling out internal capacity-building programs. Their work will support ESG integration in credit assessments, product development, and risk management.
By training internal teams, these certified professionals will help make sustainable finance a core component of banking in Nepal.
NBA’s Broader ESG Commitment
This training program is just one part of the NBA’s wider efforts. The NBA is leading change in the sector by promoting sustainable, ethical, and responsible finance.
Its focus includes:
Capacity building through training
Policy development support
Knowledge sharing among banks
Collaboration with global ESG institutions
NBA sees ESG not just as a trend, but as a strategic priority. With climate risks growing and social challenges rising, the need for sustainable finance has never been more urgent.
Future Goals and Next Steps
NBA plans to continue such initiatives. It is already exploring:
Advanced ESG certification modules
Sector-wide training rollout
ESG integration guidelines for banks
Regional conferences on green finance
The association aims to institutionalize ESG practices across the financial industry. It also hopes to position Nepal’s banking sector as a regional model for sustainable finance.
By investing in training, the NBA ensures that banks are not only compliant with global ESG frameworks but are also active contributors to Nepal’s sustainable development.
A Step Toward Responsible Banking
The success of this Training of Trainers program reflects the growing interest and commitment among Nepali banks. It shows a clear shift toward responsible, sustainable, and inclusive finance.
With local champions now certified, the road ahead looks promising. These trainers are now empowered to guide others, making ESG part of everyday banking decisions.
Through knowledge, collaboration, and leadership, the NBA and its partners are setting a strong foundation for greener banking in Nepal.
For more: NBA ESG Trainer Program