Bhutan Partners

Ability Bhutan Society

Bhutan Association of Women Entrepreneurs

Bhutan Association of Women Entrepreneurs (BAOWE) is a registered non-government organization in Bhutan. They stand for a just and equitable society in which women recognize their strengths and become successful, empowered entrepreneurs leading meaningful lives as responsible and responsive citizens of Bhutan. The BAOWE reaches out and empowers women and girls, particularly single mothers, unemployed youth, and women working in the informal sector, through entrepreneurship programs.

BAOWE has over 4,000 members across 13 Districts in the form of self-help groups (SHGs) and cooperatives. These women’s groups are engaged in a plethora of agricultural activities ranging from rice, cardamom, turmeric, vegetables, mustard, and aromatic plant plantation to the production of mustard oil, dairy products, and dairy/poultry feed. BAOWE helps its members with branding, packaging, labeling, and marketing of local produce.

BAOWE provides a common platform through which the needs, concerns and aspirations of women entrepreneurs are collectively and effectively advocated, voiced and addressed by facilitating meaningful dialogues with relevant stakeholders, key partners and the business community in general.

BHUTAN ANIMAL RESCUE AND CARE

Bhutan Animal Rescue and Care (BARC) promotes the health and welfare of all animals in Bhutan by proactively rescuing animals in need and promoting animal happiness in support of community happiness.

BARC provides rescue service, picks up animals in need, and organizes transport through supporters. While striving to re-integrate or relocate recovered animals, those animals which are handicapped or suffering from chronic diseases are kept at their shelter. To support a small and healthy stray animal population, BARC conducts weekly sterilization campaigns with DHPPI-L vaccinations. Their program is built upon a network of caring citizens who bring stray dogs from their neighborhood which makes follow-up care and release of sterilized dogs back into the community a successful initiative.

Bhutan Cancer Society

Bhutan Center For Media and Democracy

Bhutan Ecological Society

Bhutan Media Foundation

Bhutan Baseball and Softball Association

The Bhutan Baseball and Softball Association (BBSA), with the support of the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), was founded in 2013 by Karma Dorji and American resident Matthew DeSantis with the mission to promote a sporting culture and create awareness of physical fitness in Bhutanese youth and adults. BBSA is Bhutan’s national governing body for baseball, softball, and baseball5. It provides the opportunity for thousands of players, coaches and umpires across the Kingdom to participate in the sport at the youth and senior levels.

The BBSA supports six clubs in Bhutan – the Thimphu Red Pandas, Paro Ravens, Wangdue Cranes, Phuentsholing Crocodiles, Gelephu Tuskers, and Samtse Rhinos. The organization and its full-time staff are based in Bhutan’s capital city of Thimphu, and conduct free weekly training clinics for students and are open to the general public.

In the summer of 2021, the world governing body for baseball and softball – World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) – approved the membership of Bhutan to become a WBSC member along with official induction by the Baseball Federation of Asia and Softball Asia.

While the BBSA has made great strides in introducing the sport to youth in urban and rural areas, access to fields, equipment, and coaching staff has become too limited to support the demand. To introduce leagues for boys and girls in younger age groups, establish clubs in the remaining fourteen districts, and offer camps and league play in those districts, please consider donating today to help raise funds to provide the opportunity for all interested youth and adults to participate in the sport.

Current sponsors include the Bhutan Cultural Exchange, MyBhutan, Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan, Pitch in for Baseball and more.

Bhutan Nuns Foundation

Bhutan Youth Development Fund

Bhutan Water Partnership

Bhutan Water Partnership (BhWP) is a consortium of water professionals working towards achieving Integrated Water Resource Management goals through coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources to maximize economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. BhWP was established on 27th August 2001 as an inter-ministerial body to coordinate all water resource protection, development, and management programs.

BhWP is a not-for-profit organization affiliated with Global Water Partnership and Since 2007, BhWP was housed at the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN). Currently, BhWP is governed by a ten-member steering committee comprising water and the environment from both government and non-governmental organizations.

The Bhutan Foundation collaborates with BhWP in implementing two communities project under our small grant program towards improving access to water for drinking, sanitation, and small-scale irrigation through the promotion of roof rainwater harvesting and installation of water infrastructure.

Chuniding Food

Chuniding Food is a social enterprise on a mission to preserve and promote the Bhutanese food culture. It was created with a passion for promoting local food culture and the concern about degrading traditional and local food practices caused by rapid globalization. While Chuniding works on preserving Bhutanese traditional cuisine, reviving long-forgotten recipes and waning food practices, they also see the importance of innovation in food products in order to support a healthy holistic modern lifestyle. As a small-scale enterprise, Chuniding incorporates all principles of the Royal Government of Bhutan’s policy to substitute imports, increase export, use local products, and generate employment. Chuniding focuses on the revival, preservation, and innovation in Bhutanese food practices.

Clean Bhutan

Clean Bhutan was established in February of 2014 as a volunteer-based non-profit organization and became registered as a Civil Society Organization (CSO) under the Civil Society Organizations Authority later that year. Its mission is to change the mindset of every Bhutanese individual to be a responsible citizen and practice sustainable consumption by using available resources most efficiently.

Clean Bhutan raises awareness for Bhutanese citizens about the effects our behavior and habits have on the environment in order to manage and reduce waste generation. As Bhutan is beginning to experience rapid socio-economic development, waste management is becoming a major concern. In response to that growing issue, Clean Bhutan informs the citizens of Bhutan through advocacy programs about negative impacts on the environment and human health from waste. It also aims to develop mechanisms on how to manage and reduce waste at the source. Today, the organization provides a wide network of registered members and volunteers who participate in creating awareness throughout the country.

College of Natural Resources

The College of Natural Resources was established in 1992 as Natural Resource Training Institute under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests to promote economic development and nature conservation.  With the establishment of the Royal University of Bhutan in 2003, the institute formally registered as a constituent college under the Royal University of Bhutan. Today, CNR offers broad-based programs in natural resources management at the diploma and undergraduate levels. The college has also started to provide Master’s in Development Practice (MDP) beginning July 2014, and recent college has already begun to provide Master’s in Natural Resources Management.

CNR’s vision is to generate knowledge through research in Natural Resource Management, Rural Development, and Environmental Science and become a dynamic, internationally recognized, and reputed center of learning that will contribute to its sustainable development education, research, and professional services.

Starting the 2020-2021 academic session, Bhutan Foundation has initiated a scholarship program supporting two in-service Bhutanese candidates from government and civil society organizations annually to study at CNR at bachelor’s degree or master’s degree level in the environment, climate studies, forestry, and natural resources management programs

The Disabled People's Organization of Bhutan (DPOB)

Founded in 2010 as a public benefit organization, DPOB works in close partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan to advance the rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities in Bhutan. DPOB is dedicated to:
– Providing better tools, facilities, and services to citizens with disabilities.
– Equipping individuals with strategies and techniques to live fulfilling and productive lives.
– Building public awareness about the rights of all people, regardless of ability.
– Diminishing the stigma associated with disabilities in Bhutanese society.

DPOB collaborates with the Bhutan Foundation to improve access to resources for individuals with disabilities and supports their transition into jobs, promoting independent living.

Draktsho Vocational Training Center for Special Children and Youth

Druk Holding and Investments

Druk Holding and Investments (DHI), the commercial arm of the Royal Government of Bhutan, was established in 2007 upon issuance of the Royal Charter in 2007 “to hold and manage the existing and future investments of the Royal Government for the long term benefit of the people of Bhutan”. DHI, the largest and only government-owned holding company in Bhutan, has shares in 10 different companies operating in the manufacturing, energy, natural resources, financial, communication, aviation, trading, and real estate sectors. Of the 21 portfolio companies, 10 are fully owned, four are controlled and seven are linked companies. The Ministry of Finance is the sole shareholder of DHI.

Their vision is to be the leading wealth management and creation organization that helps transform Bhutan into a globally competitive economy guided by the principles of GNH. The mission of the DHI is to safeguard and enhance national wealth for all generations of Bhutanese through prudent investments.

The DHI is working with the Bhutan Foundation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other relevant stakeholders on STEM development in Bhutan.

Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited

The Food Corporation of Bhutan (FCB) was established initially as a government agency under the Royal Charter issued by His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, on 16 August 1974. It was established with the aim to have a centralized procurement and distribution system for the supply of essential food across the country. On 8th July 1992, FCB was registered as the first State-owned Enterprise under the Companies Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited (FCBL) had diversified its business by engaging in the trading of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) in 1997 to enhance revenue generation for supporting and sustaining the increasing social obligation and responsibilities.

FCBL has a Head Office and three regional offices with 23 depots, five retail outlets, and 173 farm shops catering supply-related business and services to relevant clients across the country.

Under the COVID-19 response program, the Bhutan Foundation is supporting FCBL in enhancing efficiency in the delivery of essential food items across the country.

Khedrup Foundation

Khedrup Foundation was founded by Monla Khedrupchen Rinpoche on October 6, 2017 as a non-profit organization in Bhutan. Rinpoche is the head of the Sangchen Ogyen Tsuklag Monastery in Trongsa in Central Bhutan and Phajo Gonpa in Samdrup Jongkhar in Eastern Bhutan. Khedrup Foundation is dedicated to furthering the propagation of Buddha Dharma and the Longchen Nyingthig Lineage through various initiatives with the local community in Trongsa and beyond.

The organization’s humanitarian work includes the Siddhartha Wisdom Club, which creates a supportive environment for young people to learn and grow, while reducing the causes of suicide, connecting them to their natural environment, instilling Buddhist values in their minds, and sharing the wisdom of Buddha Shakyamuni in a practical way. Another initiative called the Monmo Tashi Khyidren Initiative (named after one of Bhutan’s renowned female Buddhist figures) seeks to further the education and wellbeing of children in rural communities, as well as provide basic amenities to the monks of Sangchen Ogyen Tsuklag Monastery. The Foundation also provides retreats for the elderly in the village and organizes retreats for any individual seeking to learn more about the Buddhist way of life. Other initiatives include the Ogyen Tsuklag Buddhist Academy, Rephel Mebar Lhakhang renovation, and Heruka House retreat center.

Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan

Kuzoo FM

Kuzoo FM is a youth-based radio station headquartered in Thimphu was established in 2006. It is the second-largest radio station with coverage in all 20 districts of Bhutan. It broadcasts programs daily in English and in Dzongkha. It airs STEM shows such as Space Break, which talks about the solar system and broadcasts special programs like International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

The vision of Kuzoo is to nurture a loyal and growing youth audience by providing the highest quality broadcast of music, entertainment, edutainment, news, ideas, and current issues programs.  It also aims to make a meaningful impact to enrich and improve the lives of our young listener base.

Kuzoo’s long term mission is to be the best youth-oriented radio station in Bhutan.

Kuzoo is working with the Bhutan Foundation and relevant project stakeholders to disseminate awareness programs and educational programs on STEM through their radio programs.

The Lhomon Society

The Loden Foundation

Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, Department of Forest and Park Services

Division for the Conservation of Architectural Heritage Sites, Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs

ECCD and Special Education Division, Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education is tasked with upholding the requirements of the Bhutanese Constitution to provide a cost-free, quality education for all children through the tenth grade, regardless of socioeconomic background, ability, and/or geographic location. The Division for Special Education and Early Childhood Care is responsible for ensuring that all children and youth with disabilities receive education. The division develops programs in twelve schools to serve the needs of children and youth with special needs throughout Bhutan. The success of Bhutan’s Special Education Program is being achieved through a partnership with Disabled Persons’ Association of Bhutan, Ability Bhutan Society, Anderson Center for Autism, AVID (Australian Volunteers for International Development), The Bhutan Canada Foundation, Draktsho Vocational Training Center for Special Children and Youth, Perkins International, UNICEF Bhutan, and the Bhutan Foundation. The Bhutan Foundation has continued to work with all partners involved in the Special Education Program in Bhutan for the last eight years and has primarily partnered with the Ministry of Education in developing the Special Education Program in public schools across 12 schools throughout Bhutan.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH, ROYAL GOVERNMENT OF BHUTAN

The Ministry of Health works to provide the highest quality medical services to all citizens in Bhutan through both traditional and modern means. The Ministry aims at ensuring sustainable, responsive, equitable, accessible, reliable, and affordable socialized health services to all in Bhutan. The Ministry of Health and the Bhutan Foundation have partnered together on a wide range of health-care service projects throughout Bhutan. These projects have involved mainly emergency, trauma, and lifesaving training. The Foundation has been able to improve the Emergency Medical Services of Bhutan through the support of our international partners, such as the Clinical Data Management, DBA Trauma Program Services LLC, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Health Volunteers Overseas, and Phelps Memorial Hospital Center.

The Ministry of Works and Human Settlement

The Ministry of Works and Human Settlement was established in 2003 with the two main technical Departments, the Department of Roads and the Department of Urban Development and Engineering Services. Today, the ministry has three departments – Departments of Roads, Department of Engineering Services and Department of Human Settlement.

Ministry of Works & Human Settlement carries out the following functions:

• Formulate policies and develop plans related to physical infrastructures in the country;
• Develop and implement Acts/regulations/standards related to physical infrastructure;
• Engage in and coordinate the capacity building of technical human resources in the country;
• Set policies to promote appropriate construction industry;
• Promote research and development that would serve to maintain a synergy between technology, environment and traditional values; and
• Develop plans and policies for proper human settlement through growth centers

The Ministry is working with the Bhutan Foundation and other relevant stakeholders on urban planning and development project.

Music of Bhutan Research Centre

Phensem Parents Support Group

Phensem Parent Support Group was established informally by a group of parents in 2017 and registered as a CSO in 2020 with the vision of empowering parents and families of children/persons with disabilities in Bhutan. The group also aspires to advocate for positive change on the challenges faced and support parents, families and persons with disabilities. Phensem currently has about 100+ families registered with CWDs and PWDS ranging from 2-28 years of age.

Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women (RENEW)

River Guides of Panbang

The River Guides of Panbang (RGP) is Bhutan’s first community-based rafting company established in 2011 by a group of passionate youths with the financial and technical support of the Bhutan Foundation. The primary focus of the group is to develop and promote environmentally sustainable ecotourism packages including white river rafting. They offer a wide range of services including rafting trips for both local and tourists and hospitality services at Marang Jungle Camp. They accord the highest priority to the safety of guests and are responsible members of the community highly committed to conserving the natural beauty and sanctity of surrounding mountains, valleys and rivers.

RGP provides employment opportunities to the youth while working closely with the Panbang community and schools in promoting organic agriculture, environmental education and awareness, waste management, and sanitation programs.

Rotary Club of Thimphu

The Rotary Club of Thimphu (RCT) was established in April 2012 to expand Bhutan’s foreign relations through the Rotary Club’s expansive network of 1.3 million members across the world. The Rotary Club operates in more than 220 countries and geographical areas and focuses on supporting projects in education and life skills, health and well-being, and farming and food security. A fairly young club with 28 Bhutanese members, RCT believes in the alleviation of poverty by empowering the people of Bhutan and improving services in their focus areas.

RCT has completed over sixty projects in Bhutan since its establishment, from supplying water filtration systems to supporting schools all over Bhutan to providing eyeglasses to those with visual impairment. The Rotary Club of Thimphu partners with various clubs all over the world and is a partner of the Bhutan Foundation.

Royal Society for Protection and Care of Animals

The Royal Society for Protection and Care of Animals (RSPCA) Founded in 1999 under the Royal Patronage of Gyalyum Tshering Yangdoen Wangchuck as the first organization of its kind, set up fully dedicated to the welfare, protection and well-being of animals in Bhutan. The Organization’s mission is to inculcate a sense of moral responsibility for the proper care and humane treatment of animals through increasing awareness on the plight of animals in Bhutan and; manage a constant and healthy free-roaming dog population; at the same time ensure animal welfare is not compromised. RSPCA is actively engaged with the rescue of Stray animals and provide them with care, stability, medical assistance, rehabilitation and lifelong homes, while also solving the stray dog problems and reducing canine-related diseases in order to maintain a healthy, safe and manageable stray dog population and work to promote the general welfare of animals by raising awareness through public education and advocacy campaign.

Royal Society for the Protection of Nature

Royal Thimphu College

Royal Tutorial Project

The Royal Tutorial Project (RTP) is a professional creator and producer of educational television programs. The programs are broadcast on national television once a week. Their educational programs deal with topics including, but not restricted to, Science, Mathematics, English, and Dzongkha. Currently, they produce about 15 tutorial programs in a year. As a part of the dissemination of their programs, they also visit a number of schools every year.

The RTP is one of the project partners in STEM development in Bhutan.

Royal University of Bhutan

The Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) was launched on 2nd June 2003 to provide tertiary education in Bhutan. The overall rationale of the University as set out in the Royal Charter and Statutes is the “dissemination of knowledge and the advancement of learning through a balanced, well regulated and sound tertiary education system for the economic and cultural development of the Kingdom of Bhutan and to promote the cultural enrichment, personal development and well being of our people.”

The specific objectives of the University are:

• to develop and provide programs of study at tertiary education level, of relevance and good quality which will fulfill the needs of the country for an educated and skilled population, and
• to promote and conduct research, to contribute to the creation of knowledge in an international context, and to promote the transfer of knowledge of relevance to Bhutan.

The vision of the RUB is to become an internationally recognized university steeped in GNH values.

Tarayana Foundation

Trans Bhutan Trail

The Trans Bhutan Trail project is a result of the vision of His Majesty the King to revive the ancient ancestral trail of Bhutan. These ancient trails were carved by our ancestors across the mountains to connect the nation. They played an important role in the establishment of Bhutan as a Nation and touched the lives of every Bhutanese across many generations. The Trans Bhutan Trail was the economic, political, and social bloodline of the country before the construction of motor roads began in the 1960s. It is an important cultural heritage and a national symbol of unity. A revitalized trail will provide all Bhutanese with opportunities to reconnect with their communities and encourage active learning and fitness.

The Bhutan Canada Foundation initiated the project in 2019 with support from the Tourism Council of Bhutan. The project aims to break new grounds by serving as an exemplary model for sustainable ecotourism. Prudent care is taken to offer the best experience possible whilst equally adhering to sustainability practices. Trans Bhutan Trail, through numerous trail activities and experiential educational programs, also provides for a comprehensive outdoor-classroom learning opportunities that aid youths in their passage to adulthood and as citizen of the nation. Trans Bhutan Trail works in close affinity with the community, for the community – Local communities are an important partner for the success of the trail and remains at the heart of the project. With the participation of communities in providing authentic experiences such as homestays, ambassadorship, and community campsites, the project aims at promoting the local economy and ensuring sustainable livelihood.

Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research

UNICEF Bhutan

UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) is a United Nations program headquartered in New York City that provides long-term humanitarian and developmental support to mothers and children in the developing world. UNICEF was created with the mission to realize the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children (and their mothers) around the world. This is all based on the belief that proper care and developmental support is the best foundation for a person’s future. UNICEF seeks to address the deficiencies in early childhood program development and continued adolescent academic and health education to provide a brighter future for the world’s most vulnerable children. UNICEF is active in 190 countries and territories through country programs and National Committees. UNICEF works closely with its member governments and local NGOs to remove the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease, environmental hazards, and discrimination place in a child’s path. UNICEF began its work in Bhutan in 1974 in support of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme. Since 1974, UNICEF Bhutan has expanded its projects and programs in Bhutan with the support of the Royal Government, its partners, and other NGOs to improve the lives of children, youth, and women in Bhutan. Its programs in Bhutan are focused on issues of health (HIV/AIDS prevention, maternal and newborn care, and immunization), nutrition and sanitation, education, child protection, and youth participation. Additionally, UNICEF Bhutan is focusing efforts on supporting Bhutan’s youth population, which makes up 50 percent of the population and is increasingly finding itself in conflict with rapid globalization and urbanization, high youth unemployment rates, and the pervading use of mass media and traditional ways of life.

VAST Bhutan

VAST Bhutan was founded in 1998 by a group of professional artists. VAST Bhutan was established with a vision to encourage Bhutanese youth to develop their artistic talents, while simultaneously acknowledging their social responsibilities through community-based projects. These projects promote social awareness, culture, health, hygiene, and the environment through community engagement. In addition to these larger projects, VAST Bhutan also offers classes on drawing, sketching, watercolor painting, oil painting, ceramics, traditional arts, photography, as well as audiovisual and computer design. The Bhutan Foundation has supported VAST Bhutan in several different projects, including cleaning campaigns, training programs and camps for children, and the creation of an art park. The Bhutan Foundation supports VAST Bhutanas they provide creative solutions for youth to stay engaged during their free time and strategically away from abusive behaviors like alcohol and drugs.

World Wildlife Fund - Bhutan

The World Wildlife Fund Bhutan (WWF Bhutan) began its conservation work in Bhutan in 1977 providing training opportunities for Bhutanese nationals. WWF Bhutan works to create a sustainable environmental future in Bhutan and to conserve Bhutan’s rich biodiversity. Today, WWF Bhutan focuses its programming on establishing and managing a system of protected areas, while developing the nation’s capacity to manage its natural resources by strengthening relevant institutions, developing human resources, and promoting conservation education and public awareness. WWF Bhutan and the Bhutan Foundation have worked extensively together on environmental conservation projects over the years, including more recent projects, such as the Kora Tigers preservation project and Bhutan For Life initiative.

Dhyana Foundation

Dhyana

At a time when rates of stress, anxiety, and depression continue to rise at an alarming rate, there is a pressing need for accessible, secular, mindfulness-based training programs that can be applied by a broad range of individuals in daily life. In this age of globalization and modern development, innumerable beings are drawn to the comforts of materialization where people risk even their lives and health while chasing material goals. However, while very obvious, many fail to notice the nature of fleeting times and the limited time that any living being has and it is most of the time too late when one finally realizes that he or she has wasted so much of the precious time.

Just as Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha, has kept many appropriate treasures (sacred hidden scriptures) to be revealed and taught in response to the each coming times in future, there is now similar need to rethink the teaching and teaching methods that is most applicable to each generation. Therefore, in our current generation, there is a constant need to innovate and redesign the ancient teaching methods especially geared to fit in with busy schedules and agendas of today’s living environment while preserving the original core message and intent of such teaching and instructions the same.

There is no doubt that Bhutan, among many countries, in the world is most appropriate place where such teachings on mindfulness and meditation could flourish. The country is ruled by a compassionate, far-sighted and benevolent monarch His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck who keeps the happiness and wellbeing of his subjects above everything else and whose desire to pursue a sustainable model termed as “development with values” makes this country even more unique. Therefore, it is not a wonder when Bhutan is recognized as the only carbon-negative country in the world.

Bhutan is a country that is renowned for its beautiful pristine forests, vibrant cultural life and commitment to the holistic development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH). The country provides an ideal setting in which to develop a mindfulness retreat center that is open to all Bhutanese and international guests alike – a place where anybody interested in learning the foundations of mindfulness and meditation can receive accessible and high quality instructions in a practical and easy to understand manner.

To date, although many Bhutanese are culturally exposed to the values and rituals of Buddhism, for most ordinary lay people, there is a lack of accessible and practical instructions in meditation. Particularly for youth, there is a gap to connect with such practices in a way that is straightforward and easy to apply amidst the challenges of everyday life. In addition, for most international visitors to Bhutan, although it is possible to experience the country as a regular tourist, it is not easy to find access to appropriate teachings on meditation or retreats that are geared towards them given the short duration of their stays in Bhutan.