Youth-Led Responsible Celebration and Global Solidarity in Nepal

Tuesday 15 April 2025, by Nehal Kumar Singh

Holi, the festival of colours, is one of South Asia’s most joyful and vibrant traditions. The festival is celebrated across the region to welcome spring on the full moon night; it symbolizes renewal, unity, and the triumph of good over evil. Communities come together to throw coloured powders, sing, dance, and share festive meals. Yet, in recent years, concerns have emerged around water wastage, harmful chemicals, and public safety tied to how Holi is celebrated today.

Moon Camp was originally conceptualized in 1998 by a group of Nepali youth in collaboration with NGOs federation of Nepal (NFN) to address the lack of youth-led environmental initiatives during festivals like Holi. Since then, it has evolved into a cross-interprovincial border initiative in Nepal rooted in cultural sustainability, civic empowerment, and youth-led public engagement across different parts of Nepal. In total, Moon Camp 2025 engaged over 300 volunteers across five districts, reaching more than 2,000 community members through public mural painting, youth dialogues, and educational events. In our own cohort, 50 participants collaborated on school beautification, community outreach, and leadership-focused learning sessions designed to promote sustainability, responsible celebration, and youth participation in civic life. Created as a model for responsible celebration, environmental awareness, and community development, the initiative brought together hundreds of young people across different regions of Nepal.

The Moon Camp objective aligned with key UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) (United Nations, 2015). Through creative, community-centred initiatives, Moon Camp delivered a powerful message: that festivals can be both meaningful and sustainable.

Community Action Through Creative Engagement

While many young people in Nepal feel frustrated with local opportunities and increasingly look abroad for a better future, Moon Camp 2025 tells a different story. Instead of reinforcing feelings of disillusion, it brought together youth from Nepal and Canada to work side by side, offering them a chance to engage with their communities in a meaningful way.

One of our key activities involved beautifying Shree Setidevi Panchakanya Secondary School, where volunteers painted colour on the school walls and inside classrooms. The process did more than just brighten up the campus as it gave over 200 students a more inspiring learning space and reminded all of us of the power of small acts in public spaces.

More importantly, the camp gave the opportunity to build connections among the youth. We had the chance to meet members of Smart Club, a youth-led initiative started by Youth Initiative Nepal, which works to strengthen civic engagement and leadership among youth (Smart Club, 2025). The exchange of ideas and energy between groups showed how powerful youth networks can be in sustaining momentum long after a single event ends.

At a time when so many young people are tempted to leave Nepal behind, Moon Camp created a space where purpose, agency, and belonging could grow. Research supports that youth engagement in community-led projects has been shown to reduce migration intent by building identity, connection, and hope at home (Gardner & Lal, 2012). In this way, Moon Camp was not just about celebration but also about nation-building through youth.

Cultural Exchange Meets Environmental Stewardship

The evening of Moon Camp was a celebration of culture and connection. From traditional Nepali food to music and dance, the program offered countless moments of joy and learning between Nepali and Canadian participants. But this celebration wasn’t business as usual. (Gardner & Lal, 2012) identify environmental degradation as a significant issue arising from irresponsible Holi celebrations in rural Nepal. The excessive use of water, and lack of community regulation contribute to pollution, resource strain, and public disorder. These practices not only harm local ecosystems but also disrupt social harmony and place a burden on already limited public infrastructure. Also, Holi colors have been found to contain a variety of harmful chemicals, including metal-based pigments such as copper sulfate, mercury sulfide, chromium iodide, lead oxide, and aluminum bromide. In addition, some powders are contaminated with industrial dyes (e.g., malachite green, methyl violet, auramine O, rhodamine B), as well as substances like talc, asbestos, mica granules, and even ground glass (Lindsy Liu, 2025). Instead of the typical water-intensive Holi rituals, we embraced eco-conscious practices: using organic, non-toxic powders and avoiding water altogether. These small but intentional changes reduced environmental impact and helped ensure that the event remained safe, inclusive, and respectful of the environment.

Youth Leadership and Local Recognition

The camp’s impact didn’t go unnoticed. Local leaders, including the Mayor of Chautara Sangachokgadhi Municipality, took time to visit and publicly commend the work of the young volunteers. He also acknowledged Canada’s support in helping develop critical infrastructure like public washrooms, which we were able to visit during the camp.

Behind the scenes, it was youth leaders like Yogesh, Swastika, and Sushmita who made it all happen. They dedicated nearly a month of their time to planning and executing the program with care, empathy, and precision. Their efforts reinforced what we already knew: that young people aren’t just the future; they’re already making change happen today.

Aligning with Global and Local Visions

Moon Camp 2025 reflected the mission and values of Alternatives Montréal, particularly its focus on ecological transition, participatory democracy, and international solidarity. As intern with Alternatives, one of my goals was to encourage Nepali youth to take a more active role in their country’s civic and social affairs. It was deeply encouraging to see this happening at the grassroots level where young people not only participated, but led, coordinated, and inspired their peers throughout the initiative. By creating space for diverse youth voices and co-development, Moon Camp exemplified how international partnerships can empower local change-makers and foster sustainable, inclusive futures.

The initiative also aligned closely with the goals of the NGO Federation of Nepal, which supports civil society strengthening, environmental justice, and cross-sector collaboration. Notably, Youth Initiative Nepal, one of the key partners we engaged with during Moon Camp, operates under the mentorship of the NGO Federation. Their involvement highlighted how youth networks, when guided and supported by experienced organizations, can play a vital role in shaping inclusive and impactful community development efforts.

A Model for the Future

Moon Camp 2025 wasn’t just another event on the calendar. It was a living, breathing model of how tradition, sustainability, and social justice can go hand in hand. It challenged outdated festival norms while preserving cultural vibrancy. By promoting safe and consent-based celebration practices, the initiative reinforced dignity and inclusivity in public spaces. Through youth leadership, cross-cultural collaboration, and shared responsibility for community well-being, it served as a living example of global citizenship and environmental justice in action. As Holi continues to be celebrated across the world, such as in India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Malaysia, and beyond, Moon Camp sets a new benchmark for how joy can be paired with responsibility. Most importantly, it reminded us of all that when young people come together around a shared purpose, they can redefine what celebration looks like and what the future of their communities can be.

Works Cited