Our Partners

KEEP Partners (International)

KEEP works to ensure sustainable tourism in Nepal with the enthusiasm, support, and commitment of our key partners:

Drop of Life:

We often take valuable resources like water for granted, but when natural disasters or pandemics hit, access to clean water becomes a matter of life and death. Long before the pandemic, "A Drop of Life" has already been working with our partners to implement the "Water and Sanitation" project for communities in need.

Established in 1998, A Drop of Life is a Hong Kong-registered NGO that strives to ensure access to clean water and sanitation a reality for everyone. We strongly believe that access to safe and clean drinking water is our basic survival right, and is also the key to solving long-term problems such as poverty and low education level. We work according to our mandate of “passing our love and working for love”, and we have been implementing sustainable water projects and building water facilities in the rural areas of Nepal, Cambodia, and Mainland China. At the same time, A Drop of Life is actively involved in formulating plans for poverty alleviation, disaster relief, and school rebuilding, etc. We aim to give hope to those in need from life to livelihood.

In Hong Kong, we show our love and concern to underprivileged groups by organizing charity visits and goodie bag distribution events. To date, over 4.7 million people have benefited from the work of A Drop of Life.

Since 2020 in collaboration and generous support from "Drop of Life" KEEP has managed to Provide Safe Drinking Water in Dhading District of Nepal and has manged to successfully built Two Schools at Baitadi - far west region of Nepal 
https://adropoflife.org/

Crooked Trails, USA

A non-profit, community-based travel organization, Crooked Trails has been encouraging people to diversify their understanding of the planet and its myriad of cultures through education, responsible travel practices and community development for more than ten years. We began our partnership in 2002 and since then have collaborated on several of our Community Development programs placing international volunteers and adventurers in Nepal’s rural villages and communities. Over the past two years, Crooked Trails has proved instrumental in fundraising for the expansion of Shree Bindabasini Higher Secondary School, Kavre.
www.crookedtrails.org

BridgIT Water Foundation, Australia

BridgIT Water Foundation is a non-denominational, non-government, non-profit Australian incorporated humanitarian organization that partners with the corporate entity, Prime Pump Co. Pty Ltd. This organization believes that small businesses and the corporate world have a Corporate social responsibility to create change in the world to contribute to making a real difference to bridge the gap that separates privileged nations from those not so lucky.
www.bridgitwater.org

Sante Sans Frontiere (SSF)

https://www.santesansfrontiere.fr/

The Intrepid Foundation, Australia

As part of Australia’s Intrepid Travel organization, The Intrepid Foundation strives to aid the local community by promoting small campaigns in healthcare, education, human rights, child welfare, and environmental and wildlife protection. The Foundation contributes to the grassroots work of other non-governmental organizations, primarily in areas where Intrepid Travel operates a branch.
Over the past seven years, The Intrepid Foundation has offered continued support to our Community Project Fund as well as consistent collaboration in our Community Development programs.
From 2007 to 2009 The Intrepid Foundation and KEEP coordinated several programs to assist Shree Bindawasini Lower Secondary School and Shree Mahakali Primary School in various construction projects, crucial to the safety and continued attendance of its students.

The Intrepid Foundation has funded a 3-year program on Train the Trainers Program which is set for the Year  2020 AD.
http://www.intrepidtravel.com

Swiss Foundation for Solidarity in Tourism (SST), Switzerland

Founded in 2001 by the Swiss Student Travel Office cooperative, the SST supports organizations and initiatives that pursue the development of sustainable tourism.
Through its contributions, the Foundation helps to secure the livelihoods of the populations in tourist destinations, to improve their economic conditions and to protect the environment.
It also helps to promote new initiatives and ideas for a balanced cultural exchange between tourists and locals.
http://sstfoundation.org/

Antipodeans Abroad, Australia

Antipodeans Abroad specializes in educational and volunteer travel programs with a purpose. Their range of travel programs is designed around developing young Australians and focuses on leadership, personal challenge, cultural immersion, and responsible travel.
Their volunteering programs incorporate sustainable, grassroots projects which enrich volunteers’ travels and benefit a small community. KEEP has been working in partnership with Antipodeans Abroad for over a year.
www.antipodeans.com.au

International Porter Protection Group

IPPG works to improve conditions for mountain porters in the tourism industry worldwide. Its aim is for every porter to have; access to adequate clothing, boots, shelter and food (appropriate to the altitude and weather); medical care when ill or injured, and appropriate health insurance.KEEP and IPPG became partners in 2009 and KEEP now houses a Porters’ Clothing Bank on behalf of both organizations.
http://www.ippg.net/

PATA International Foundation, Nepal

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a membership association acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. In partnership with private and public sector members, PATA enhances the sustainable growth, value, and quality of travel and tourism to, from, and within the region.
In 2009 PATA awarded KEEP a grant to organize an eight-month program educating tourism professionals on the importance of waste management and waste management skills along the Tamang Heritage Trail.
http://www.pata.org/

Porters’ Progress, UK

Porters’ Progress facilitates the safe treatment, education, and empowerment of adult and child trekking and commercial porters and their communities in Nepal through appropriate programs, with priority given to creating change within the trekking industry.
http://www.portersprogressuk.org/

Rhododendron Education Trust, UK

The Trust has been supporting KEEP since its inception 16 years ago. Their support has been priceless for the organization of training and workshops intended to strengthen the capacities of tourism professionals.
http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk

The International Mountain Explorers Connection

The International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) was founded in 1996 in Boulder, Colorado to promote responsible and sustainable connections between travelers and the people of developing mountain regions of the world. Through its Porter Assistance Project, IMEC focuses its efforts on improving the working conditions for porters in Tanzania and Nepal.
IMEC supports KEEP’s Porters’ Clothing Bank.
http://www.mountainexplorers.org

Nepal Trekking, UK

Nepal trekking is a UK organization specializing in tailor-made treks/tours to Nepal. These cover all manner of levels to suit a client’s wishes. They cover different kinds of expeditions from Community Service and Trekking Peaks to Experience and Wildlife Tours as well as working with specific village projects. Keep has recently started a partnership with Nepal trekking in March 2012.

http://www.nepaltrekking.co.uk/

Aussie Action Abroad, Australia

Aussie Action Abroad actively collaborates with communities in need to provide practical and realistic support leading to sustainable outcomes and enriching the lives of all involved. Formerly under the organization OzQuest Adventures, Aussie Action Abroad builds upon over a decade of experience in facilitating projects to communities in need and continues to strengthen its relationships with partnering organizations, communities, and volunteers.
www.aussieactionabroad.com

Worldwide Education Partnerships for Nepal (WWEP), USA

Worldwide Education Partnerships for Nepal was founded by Steve Mannshardt, an avid traveler with a long history in the not-for-profit arts community, to help solve some of the more pressing issues confronting the education system in Nepal. ‘WWEP’ enlists the assistance of various partner organizations in Nepal and the United States which carry out the WWEP mission to our specifications. Steve travels to Nepal a number of times a year to facilitate the various programs that WWEP has put in place and to create new programs for the future.
www.nepal.wwep.org

Association Porteurs dAvenir

http://porteursdavenir.blogspot.com/

GloboTrek

GloboTrek is a budget travel site for backpackers and independent travelers who are looking to explore the world and get the most from the experience, to grow, explore, or just have a good time. It features tips, reviews, how-to’s, and more useful information that can ease the process of travel planning and make traveling a more enjoyable experience. Its mission is to make traveling more accessible, comfortable, and rewarding for those who wish to trek their way around the world.
http://www.globotrek.ch/

Mountain People

Started in Norway over 30 years ago, by a group of trekking friends. Now registered as a Nepali NGO, with Norwegian and international-based support. Basic idea:
Mountain people helping mountain people to help themselves. Completed over 500 grass-root projects, from individual advanced health assistance, individual and group vocational training, supporting other organizations to reach their goals, building own school and a new welfare center, and upgrading over 50 school classrooms, plus play areas, toilets, and water delivery systems. Supports KEEP’s yearly Porter Training program.
www.mountain-people.org

Edinburgh Global Partnerships (EGP)

Founded in 1990, EGP is the UK’s oldest entirely student-run charity with over 25 years of experience in delivering sustainable development projects in the Global South. We have successfully completed over 175 projects and worked in 21 countries around the world.

KEEP Partners (National)

Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal

TAAN was formed and registered with the Kathmandu CDO office in 1979 by a handful of trekking agents who realized that it was time to assemble and create an umbrella organization under which they could work together to meet their common goals and also assist the government by providing suggestions to develop trekking business into a revenue generation industry.
http://www.taan.org.np

Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Nepal

NMA was established on November 1, 1973. It is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-political organization working as a national alpine association of Nepal to promote mountain tourism, climbing sports, protects mountain environments.
http://www.nepalmountaineering.org

WWF Nepal

World Wildlife Fund Nepal has focused its energies on community-supported biodiversity conservation since the late 1960s. WWF has been at the forefront of educating the community in regards to conservation concepts and practices. Initially, WWF focused on preserving the endangered rhino and tiger, but with its success has shifted its concentration to promoting sustainable livelihoods for indigenous groups.
In 2009, WWF funded KEEP’s research and development of tourism best practices and documentation in key tourist sites on the Gosainkunda Trail.
http://www.wwfnepal.org

Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal

Established in 1998 Nepal’s national tourism organization seeks to forge a partnership between Nepal’s government and tourism industries, working together to promote and develop Nepal as an attractive tourist destination.
We have worked with the Nepal Tourist Board over the last four years organizing conferences and education courses and promoting projects that encourage sustainable tourism. They have supplied financial and logistical support to many of our programs and in return, KEEP has provided best practice advice and feedback for their customer service programs.
http://welcomenepal.com/corporate/

Sustainable Tourism Network, Nepal

The Sustainable Tourism Network (STN) is an informal network of individuals and organizations that earnestly encourages sustainable tourism practices in Nepal. STN provides a forum for those working in the tourism field to share advice, increase cooperation and encourage the use of best practices in regard to sustainable tourism.
http://welcomenepal.com/stn/

Global College International (GCI) 

On 12th March 2021, Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) and The Global College International (GCI) jointly signed an MoU expressing the mutual interest in working together for the benefit of education in sustainable tourism and the environmental sector.
https://gci.edu.np/