In Nepal more than 500,000 people enter into labour market in each year and this number is increasing. Most of them are from rural Nepal. At present, a huge number of Nepali workers go abroad to work in the absence of fruitful local employment opportunities. So, Nepal is trying to provide employment opportunities for them. Having recognised this situation, IEDI is focusing on rural entrepreneurship by introducing Rural Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme through its branch offices at Bharatpur, Pokhara, Nepalgunj, and Butwal. This programme will identify and support innovative rural entrepreneurs who have high growth potential. REAP will build long term collaborations with the private sector to promote and develop rural entrepreneurship in Nepal.

The Rural Enterprise Assistance Programme (REAP) was implemented by IEDI from 2002 to 2008 in seven hilly and mountainous districts (Humla, Jumla, Dolpa, Mugu, Taplejung, Panchthar and Ilam) of Nepal, aimed at developing local capacity with a view to increasing access of rural entrepreneurs to business development services. REAP intended to reduce poverty in these districts, through the promotion and sustainable development of micro and small enterprises. The programme emphasised on increasing benefits to micro and small entrepreneurs by enhancing the capacity of the stakeholders and partners in promoting micro and small enterprises. In its second phase, REAP focused on sub-sector/value-chain development and social inclusion.