The Dolma Development Fund works with poor, rural partner communities to build sustainable businesses that benefit the community and the environment. Any profits or returns made by the Fund are reinvested in other projects or our education programmes. We make both equity investments and loans to businesses that would not otherwise have access to capital. We become active partners in these businesses ensuring that the models are sustainable, that they are achieving the required positive impact, and that they ultimately succeed. We believe that applying such commercial forms of investment partnership, rather than pure aid, trains businesses to operate with a realistic cost base and prepares management for future business growth and further success.

Some example of our investments are provided below.

• Dolma Ecotourism
• Highland Boarding School
• Do you have an Impact Investment business plan?

Our resident Buddhist monk joining our guests on their adventure - © David Cayless

Dolma Ecotourism was founded as a partnership between its leader, Tsering Lama – a seasoned tourism professional and mountain guide – and the Dolma Development Fund. It provides a totally unique adventure in a hidden valley of Nepal’s Langtang National Park, nestled among the soaring Himalayan mountains on the Tibetan border. Backed by the local Tibetan community, guests exclusively experience their warm hospitality, join their festivals and learn their timeless culture, customs and crafts. A Buddhist monk scholar helps the guests understand culture of the people and leads meditation practice in one of the most peaceful places on earth. Guests use the village of Bridim as a base to trek into the mountains, among the sparkling snow-capped peaks, on routes only used by yak herders. But despite the remoteness, the tours provide a level of comfort and service not to be found for miles around.

The Dolma Development Fund provided the capital necessary to build the facilities (such as tourist accommodation, showers and toilets) as well as train the local community who benefit from wages, craft sales and the lasting friendship of our guests. It has impacted many thousands of lives, both local and guest alike, with the Fund’s profits being reinvested into community programmes and education. Dolma Ecotourism has now expanded to provide tours to many other regions in Nepal. To join us in the mountains, please visit the Dolma Ecotourism website.

Tibetan ladies at the festival - our community tourism hosts - © David Cayless

Highland Boarding School, Dhunche, Nepal

Morning assembly in the shadow of the Himalayas

The Dolma Development Fund has arranged financing for the expansion of the Highland Boarding School in Dhunche. As a result, the school has grown to a capacity of 500 children and serves the local communities with a culturally-sensitive curriculum that includes Tibetan culture and dance. This is particularly important as almost all the boarding students are ethnically Tibetan from the surrounding Langtang region. A loan recently provided by the Fund’s Trustees, allowed the expansion of the school for an additional 100 boarding students from the poorest rural families. This education is transformational to both the students and their families, as the children will drastically improve their earning capacity and thus be able to support their families in the villages over the long term. The Highland Boarding School has become one of the leading schools in the Rasuwa district, rivalling the exam results of the best schools in Kathmandu.

Please feed our pipeline

We are currently looking for business ideas in Nepal that have a positive social and environmental impact. If you would like to get in touch, or send us an outline business plan, please do so here.