Empower Bhutan's Citizens to Engage in Democracy

1. Civic Engagement Workshop for Youth, Local Government leaders and women.

BCMD organised a three-day workshop from 03th to 05th December on Youth, Local Government, Women and Media Civic Engagement, bringing together 25 participants representing diverse community-based organisations, youths, and local government leaders from Trongsa and Pemagatshel. The workshop aims to enhance understanding of the principles of citizen participation, strengthen the capacity of women and community members in inclusive planning, and foster stronger networks among women’s groups, youth, and local government institutions to build a collective voice for community development.

During the discussions, several local government leaders noted that, in practice, the Dzongkhag and Gewog planning processes are currently being conducted simultaneously, despite the requirement for Gewog plans to precede Dzongkhag-level planning. Another participant highlighted a common misconception regarding the approval process of agendas and activities; many believed that the Dzongkhag Finance Committee approves the activities before they are presented to the Dzongkhag Tshogdu. Through the workshop, this was clarified: the Finance Committee’s mandate is to review and deliberate on the proposed activities, after which they submit their recommendations and non-recommended activities to the Dzongkhag Tshogdu for final deliberation.

The workshop also provided participants with a clearer understanding of the Gewog-level planning cycle and highlighted how community-based organisations and youth groups can strategically utilise the Chiwog Zomdue as an effective entry point for engaging in local development processes. “I have now come to understand the importance of participating in community meetings, and, most importantly, how crucial the role of the Tshogpa is in the community development process,” shared Dechen from Green Tea Group.

This strengthened insight is expected to support more meaningful participation and collaboration at the grassroots level. Through participatory planning exercises and community analysis tools, they mapped their communities and reflected on how they could co-create solutions to identified challenges. Tashi, a youth participant, stated, “So far, we youth have never participated in any community meetings because we never understood the importance of our engagement. I will henceforth participate in the upcoming community meetings.”

2. Third CSO Quarterly Meeting

The CSO Quarterly Meeting was convened on 12th December 2025 to deliberate on strategic priorities, operational challenges, and emerging opportunities for civil society organisations (CSOs) in Bhutan. The meeting brought together representatives from 34 Civil Society Organizations and a member of the European Union (EU) Delegation. The discussions focused on the CSO roadmap, engagement with development partners, coordination of thematic groups, challenges with the endowment fund, and upcoming funding opportunities.

The morning session provided updates from the BCMD since the last Quarterly Meeting and addressed challenges related to the endowment fund and additional announcements, presented by the CSO Representative. The afternoon session focused on EU support to CSOs, including the development of a new Bhutan CSO Roadmap and upcoming calls for proposals. Participants engaged in strategic discussions on the enabling environment, capacity development, sustainability, and collaboration, complemented by group work to identify sector-wide priorities, challenges, opportunities, and indicative activities.BCMD reported on progress against issues raised at the Second Quarterly Meeting, noting the Bhutan Civil Society Organisations Accountability Standards (BCAS) streamlining and revision process and an expected timeline for sharing the draft revised BCAS framework with CSOs for review, as well as a tentative implementation schedule to make BCAS an annual requirement for registration renewal.  Participants also reiterated concerns about endowment funds and high taxation on fixed deposits, pointed out ongoing misinterpretation of endowment fund requirements, and requested that the matter be added to the agenda of the upcoming Authority Board meeting.  It was also highlighted by the participants that smaller CSOs face particular challenges in fulfilling endowment fund requirements, underscoring the need for more sustainable and realistic financial mechanisms. 

2.1 Key Highlights of the Session

The CSO Representative iterated that discussions related to rules, regulations, and guidelines must be coordinated through the CSO Coordination Group (CCG) prior to engagement with the CSO Authority. The CSO Quarterly Meeting continues to serve as a platform for sharing, validating, and discussing guidelines before formal submission to the Authority.

Participants highlighted that endowment funds placed in fixed deposits generate minimal interest, which is insufficient to meet operational costs (e.g., Nu. 30 lakhs generating approximately Nu. 17,500 annually).

Suggestions included:

• Exploring social enterprise models to generate sustainable revenue streams
• Utilising interest earned from fixed deposits as seed funding for income-generating initiatives
• Clarifying definitions and interpretations of endowment funds within legal and guideline documents, particularly for smaller CSOs 

2.2 EU Engagement and Strategic Support

The afternoon session was opened with a keynote address by the EU-Delhi Programme Manager, who highlighted the EU’s continued support to the CSO sector and the ongoing development of the EU-Bhutan CSO Roadmap. The roadmap will outline strategic priorities for the next five years and guide the upcoming EU call for proposals. It was clarified that EU funding will prioritise local CSOs, with international NGOs eligible only through consortium arrangements with local partners.

To identify the priorities, BCMD facilitated group work sessions where participants were divided into three groups to discuss sector-wide challenges, opportunities, and indicative activities under four thematic clusters found in EU-funded CSO perception studies drafted by HELVETAS Bhutan, focusing on enabling environment, capacity, sustainability, and collaboration. A prioritisation matrix was used to rank issues based on urgency and impact, emphasising collective CSO perspectives over individual organisational interests.

Through voting, participants identified and prioritised key sector issues, with financial sustainability emerging as the highest priority, followed by inadequate budgets to carry out mandates, lack of funding for social enterprise development, enhancement of civic space, equal CSO representatives in CSOA Board, and capacity for resource mobilisation and advocacy. Proposed actions focused on promoting social enterprise models, establishing CSO endowment funds, strengthening fundraising, improving leadership and project management skills, and creating an enabling environment for civic engagement.

As a way forward, it was agreed to consolidate these priorities into a report for submission to the EU Delhi Programme Manager to inform the Bhutan CSO Roadmap and upcoming EU calls for proposals, with a focus on three core priorities: Sustainability, strengthening the enabling environment, and capacity development across the CSO sector.

3. Needs Assessment Consultation on Women’s Leadership in Local Governance

BCMD organised a needs assessment consultation in Samtse dzongkhag to inform the development of a training manual for prospective women candidates in the forthcoming local government elections.

The consultation was conducted on 5th and 6th January and brought together a total of forty-five participants across two targeted sessions, designed to capture a broad range of perspectives. The morning session engaged male local government leaders, former leaders, and coordinators of informal community groups, while the afternoon session convened female local government leaders and members of informal community groups. In addition, a separate focus group discussion was held on 6th January with 14 Gewog Administrative Officers to incorporate administrative and institutional perspectives into the overall consultation process.

Discussions focused on three key thematic areas. Under the legal and policy framework, participants noted that although gender equality commitments exist, more robust practical measures are required, including financial and logistical campaign support, targeted capacity building, and potential policy reforms such as quotas and term limits. Structural and systemic barriers revealed ongoing challenges, including limited community and family support, unequal access to resources, and concerns related to safety and mobility. Socio-cultural norms were also identified as a major influence on women’s leadership, with entrenched gender roles, unequal household responsibilities, and male-dominated public spaces limiting women’s participation and visibility within communities.

Participants also identified critical skills and training needs for women leaders at various stages of leadership, before elections, during their term in office, and over the longer term. These included competencies in leadership and governance, public speaking, digital literacy, community engagement and facilitation, administrative and financial management, and mentoring to support sustained leadership.

4.Suja and Dzaw Conversation on Mindful Governance, Mindful Society

The second Druk Journal Conversation, following the 22nd edition themed “Mindful Governance, Mindful Society,” was held on 8 January 2026 at RRCO Hall, Gelephu. The discussion drew on insights from the featured articles, which included research and grounded perspectives on how mindfulness is understood and practised across different walks of life. The session was moderated by Dasho Kinley Dorji, Editor of The Druk Journal, and featured four speakers: Dr Joel and Michelle Levey (Founders, Wisdom at Work), Ven. Lungtaen Gyatso (President, College of Language and Cultural Studies, RUB), Tenzin Leewang (former Drangpon and Chief Administrator at the Bhutan Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre), and Siok Sian Pek-Dorji (Advisor, BCMD and Editorial Member, The Druk Journal), who shared key insights from their respective articles.The conversation provided a platform for Pelsups to engage with mindfulness as both a philosophical foundation and a practical framework for governance, justice, economic development, and social life. Drawing from Buddhist thought, global practices, Bhutanese traditions, and contemporary policy challenges, the discussion examined how mindfulness can inform leadership, ethical decision-making, and people-centred development. Central themes included mindful prosperity, right livelihood, meditation and justice, governance planning, and the role of mindfulness in addressing social, technological, and environmental challenges, particularly in the context of Gelephu Mindfulness City.

Speakers emphasised that mindfulness, when grounded in ethics, compassion, and wisdom, can guide prosperity, governance, and leadership without causing harm. Mindful prosperity was presented as an approach that aligns economic activity with collective well-being, interdependence, and long-term social benefit. The discussion highlighted the risks of reducing mindfulness to productivity or stress management tools detached from ethical foundations.

Mindfulness was also explored as a practical discipline that cultivates awareness between stimulus and response, supporting thoughtful action in governance, justice, and everyday life. Bhutan’s tradition of Nangkha Nangdrik or mediation was highlighted as an example of mindful governance in practice, offering a relationship-preserving and people-centred alternative to adversarial legal processes. Participants further reflected on challenges related to urbanisation, technology and artificial intelligence risks, civic disengagement, youth livelihoods, and the need for stronger consultation and feedback mechanisms. Questions around measuring mindfulness and well-being led to discussions on complementing subjective experiences with objective indicators, building on Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness framework.

The discussion underscored the need to operationalise mindfulness across governance, education, justice, and economic development. Key recommendations included developing pilot frameworks to measure mindfulness using objective indicators, strengthening mediation and alternative dispute resolution systems within Gelephu Mindfulness City, and focusing on implementation and capacity building of existing laws. Participants called for articulating a Mindful Prosperity framework to guide investment and business practices, supporting youth-led and community-based enterprises, and integrating mindfulness education into school curricula. Strengthening consultation and feedback platforms, addressing emerging technology-related risks, promoting civic responsibility, and ensuring long-term, inclusive planning were seen as essential to sustaining mindful governance and a mindful society. Continued dialogue, public reporting, mentorship, and collaboration across government, civil society, business, and communities were emphasised as critical to translating mindful principles into lasting practice.

5. Needs Assessment Consultation on Women’s Leadership in Local Governance for Trongsa and Chhukha Dzongkhag 

BCMD conducted a two-day needs assessment consultation to inform the development of a training manual for aspiring women candidates in the forthcoming local government elections.

The consultations, held on 16th and 17th January, brought together male and female local government leaders, aspiring women leaders, and community representatives from Trongsa and Chhukha. Discussions were structured around three key themes: the policy and legal framework, structural and systems barriers, and socio-cultural norms influencing women’s participation in local governance.

5.1 Policy and Legal Framework

Participants acknowledged that existing policies and laws are formally gender neutral. Male leaders generally highlighted that laws treat women and men equally, viewing the main challenges as social attitudes and the readiness of women rather than shortcomings in the legal framework. From this perspective, policies were seen as adequate, with barriers arising primarily from women’s domestic responsibilities, limited confidence, and community attitudes.

In contrast, female leaders highlighted the gap between formal policy intent and lived reality. Women stressed that policies are not implemented in ways that accommodate their specific circumstances. Issues such as door-to-door campaigning requirements, lack of security provisions, mobility constraints, including limited driving skills, and the absence of childcare support during campaigns and consultations were foregrounded. Female participants also raised concerns about the lack of standardisation and enforcement of supportive measures, arguing that neutrality in policy design can perpetuate inequality when underlying conditions are unequal. This divergence suggests that male leaders are more likely to view policy sufficiency through a normative lens, while female leaders assess adequacy through an experiential and operational lens.

5.2 Structural and Systems Barriers

There was strong alignment between male and female consultations in identifying structural barriers as a major constraint to women’s participation. Both groups consistently highlighted the burden of household and caregiving responsibilities, limited spousal support, and the demanding nature of local government work, including ad hoc, irregular hours and late-night travel requirements during emergencies. Male leaders recognised that these constraints operate across locations and are systemic rather than isolated, indicating a growing awareness of structural gender inequalities.

In addition to domestic responsibilities, women emphasised the logistical and financial challenges of campaigning, particularly the lack of transport, limited access to vehicles, safety concerns, and insufficient financial resources. While male leaders acknowledged the need for spousal and community support, female leaders articulated the absence of concrete institutional mechanisms to offset these burdens, such as transport support, financial assistance, and targeted capacity building. Women also placed greater emphasis on the need for guidance, encouragement, and skills development in communication and public speaking, linking these needs to historically limited access to leadership opportunities rather than individual deficits.

5.3 Socio-cultural Norms

Socio-cultural norms emerged as a deeply entrenched and cross-cutting barrier in both consultations. Male leaders acknowledged that traditional perceptions of leadership as a male domain persist, leading to lower trust in women leaders and greater scrutiny of their performance. They recognised that these norms affect women’s willingness to come forward and their confidence in public roles.

Female leaders, however, articulated the impact of these norms in more personal and immediate terms. Women reported being perceived as less decisive, physically weaker, and less capable, particularly during elections. These external judgments were shown to translate into internalised self-doubt, reinforcing a cycle in which social bias constrains both opportunity and aspiration. Female participants also highlighted limited financial independence and weak family and community encouragement as critical socio-cultural constraints, dimensions that were less prominent in the male discussions. While both groups agreed on the importance of role models, women stressed the need for visible examples of ethical, hardworking, and accountable women leaders to actively counter prevailing stereotypes.

6. Training of Trainers on MIL & Citizen Journalism to MDC coordinators

BCMD organised the TOT on MIL and Citizen Journalism for the third cohort of the Media and democracy club coordinators. This edition included teachers and Media and Democracy Club (MDC) coordinators, as well as participants from new schools interested in establishing MDCs. A total of 15 participants from 11 schools from Samtse, Trongsa, and Trashigang joined the TOT training workshop. The TOT aimed to equip participants with skills to strengthen media literacy, citizen journalism, and democratic engagement in their schools.

Participants explored the concept of media, defining Media & MIL through the Media Biography exercise. They also engaged with the AACRA MIL framework (Access, Analyse, Create, Reflect, Act), discussed opportunities and risks associated with citizen journalism, and reflected on strategies to bring these learnings back to their schools to strengthen MDC activities.

One participant noted, "This workshop was really enriching. We usually talk about teaching routine topics, but this went beyond that. It was a great learning experience for me, and I will take these learnings back to my school children." Another shared, "I learned what citizen journalism really is. I used to think it was easy, but through this session, I came to understand both the risks and opportunities, and how intricate it actually is. It helped me understand the whole process much better."

On the final day, participants presented school-based action plans rooted in civic mindset, democratic values, and everyday responsibility.

Across schools and communities, participants proposed civic actions such as promoting responsible use of electricity and water, strengthening waste management through the 5Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover) using social media platforms for awareness, protecting consent and ethical media practices, encouraging voting awareness, and advancing transparency, fairness, respect, and shared responsibility within schools.

“This training helped us see that civic action does not have to be big. Even small actions in schools, when done collectively, can make a real difference”, MDC Coordinator.

Through group presentations, reflection, and dialogue, participants demonstrated how Media and Democracy Clubs can become living spaces for civic education, ethical media practice, and youth participation.

7.Training on Journalism

Sixteen journalists from five media houses participated in a five-day journalism training programme held in Paro from 26th to 30th January 2026. The programme was designed to strengthen professional competencies by reinforcing core journalism principles while introducing emerging practices related to artificial intelligence and multimedia reporting.

The training equipped participants with practical skills in news production, including the application of the inverted pyramid structure, source verification, interview techniques, photography, and multimedia storytelling. Reflecting on the relevance of the programme, one participant shared, “This five day training on journalism and AI was very insightful in the sense that we got to learn a lot of the basics of journalism itself, and to learn about the basics of AI in journalism, and in sync with multimedia, I think this was very timely, given that AI has very much become a part of our lives”.

In response to the evolving media landscape, the programme placed strong emphasis on the responsible use of AI in journalism, enabling participants to engage with new tools while critically upholding professional and ethical standards. The sessions also reinforced core areas such as news values, ethical frameworks, and public accountability, which were integrated throughout the training to strengthen quality journalism practices.

Participants further emphasised the practical applicability of the AI component of the training. As one participant noted, “This is my first time attending a workshop on AI conducted by BCMD. The workshop was insightful and applicable to our jobs. The interesting part about this workshop was learning about the CRAFT format. As a first-time learner of this format, I am confident it will significantly enhance how my colleagues and I leverage AI in our journalism”.

8. GNH-Based Participatory Planning and Community Analysis Workshop

The five-day workshop on GNH-Based Participatory Planning and Community Analysis was held from 26th to 30th January with the participation of 41 local government leaders from Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag. The workshop aimed to strengthen gewog-level planning by promoting inclusive, evidence-based, and community-responsive development approaches.

Participants gained practical knowledge and skills in conducting meaningful public consultations and undertaking systematic community needs assessments to improve development planning processes at the gewog level. The sessions introduced a range of participatory tools designed to support more inclusive decision-making in order to ensure that local development priorities are informed by evidence and community needs.

The discussions highlighted the importance of coordinated planning, adaptive implementation, and community-driven solutions, while also recognising the need for clearer operational guidance and strengthened institutional linkages, particularly in light of limited capital grants and shared responsibilities. Furthermore, in view of the funding constraint realities, the participants also identified and acknowledged the need to prioritise the development interventions based on needs, urgency and resource availability. 

The workshop also highlighted the need for more structured prioritisation in planning. Participants noted that the tools introduced would help them better assess the urgency and importance of community needs and improve resource allocation. Several committed to applying these approaches in future planning cycles.

Participants reflected on the value of meaningful community engagement, recognising the need to move beyond leader-driven planning towards more participatory processes. The workshop concluded with strong commitments to apply these prioritisation tools in future planning cycles to ensure more strategic and inclusive planning practices.

One Tshogpa shared that development plans in many gewogs have traditionally been shaped primarily by local government leaders and extension officers. The workshop, however, reinforced the value of inclusive consultations and meaningful community engagement. 

9. Promoting Child Friendly Local Governance

A three-day Training of Trainers on promoting young people’s engagement in local governance was conducted from 05th to 07th February with the participation of thirteen Media and Democracy Club Coordinators and student leaders from four schools in Samtse Dzongkhag. The programme is designed to support the BCMD’s strategic objective of strengthening Media and Democracy Clubs within schools as sustainable mechanisms for civic education and democratic engagement. The programme seeks to support young people’s meaningful participation in local government processes and foster a mutually beneficial, constructive and sustained engagement between youth and local government leaders- so that community and gewog development plans are inclusive and responsive and also address the needs of children and young people.

The training situates youth participation within Bhutan’s broader governance and development framework. Participants examined the evolution of the Five Year Plans, with particular attention to the transition from activity-based planning to a results-based approach. The sessions further explored how the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan operationalises the national vision of a Happy, Prosperous and Secure Bhutan through the four national cluster-based approach and the local government key result areas, aiming to fulfill development priorities and needs at the local level.

Building on this context, the programme examined the structure, mandates, and functions of local governments, alongside the planning cycle at Gewog and Dzongkhag levels. These sessions emphasised how Media and Democracy Clubs could serve as entry points for equipping children and young people with the knowledge, skills,  confidence and understanding  required to meaningfully participate in planning, consultation, and decision-making processes in their communities, thereby playing an active role in determining the positive change they want to see in their community

10. Annual CSO Summit & Fourth Quarterly Meet 

The Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (BCMD), in partnership with the Civil Society Organisation Authority (CSOA) and the elected Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Representative, convened the Annual CSO Summit of 2026 in Paro on 10th February. The first day brought together representatives from 46 CSOs, joined by government agencies and CSOA, to reflect on the evolving role of civil society in Bhutan’s democratic and development process. The opening sessions set the tone for dialogue and collaboration, emphasising the importance of a strong, credible, and accountable civil society sector.

Presentations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Department of Revenue and Customs (DRC), Royal Audit Authority (RAA) and the CSOA focused on ethics, integrity, and anti-corruption measures, the new tax law and GST implications for CSOs and their operations, financial management and auditing requirements, and updates on the Bhutan Civil Society Assessment System (BCAS), respectively. These sessions underscored the centrality of transparency, accountability, and institutional sustainability in strengthening public trust and enabling CSOs to effectively contribute to national development. The platform also provides a space for CSOs to raise questions and clarify doubts around the topics presented by the relevant agencies. 

Following the day, 47 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) convened in Paro on 11 February for the Fourth Quarterly Meeting, united around a shared purpose: strengthening and sustaining the civil society sector as one of the key development actors.

Led by the CSO Representative to the CSO Authority (CSOA), the gathering created an open platform to address sector-wide priorities, exchange critical updates, and deliberate on pressing challenges and emerging opportunities shaping the work of the civil society sector.

The morning session focused on sector sustainability, collaboration, and operational realities. Participants discussed improving grant implementation and reporting processes, clarifying administrative and compliance requirements, and addressing concerns around penalties, registration renewal processes, taxation, and endowment funds. There was a strong call for collective action, enhancing coordination across thematic groups, aligning efforts with national priorities, and deepening understanding of social enterprise models.  Participants agreed to consolidate key issues to enable structured, solution-oriented dialogue moving forward.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to action. Participants worked collaboratively to refine priorities, sharpen recommendations, and articulate a unified set of concerns to be presented to the CSO Authority to achieve an outcome that is clear and actionable, and one that reflects a unified voice for the sector.

On the final day of the Annual CSO Summit on 12th February 2026, CSOs engaged in a high-level dialogue with the Hon’ble Home Minister, Chairperson of the CSOA, highlighting governance updates, the Nu. 300 million GOI-PTA support, and key challenges including GST exemptions and sustainability. The morning session concluded with the launch of the Guidelines for Biannual Meetings and the Annual CSO Summit, marking a milestone in strengthening collaboration between the Government and civil society.

In the afternoon CSO–Government Meet, CSOs presented critical challenges to the government and Office of the Cabinet Affairs and Strategic Coordination, calling for a streamlined PTA grant process with standard reporting templates and improved coordination. The discussion also underscored the need for a unified sustainability strategy aligned with the 13th FYP, enhanced collaboration with ministries on environment, climate, and animal welfare, and a more coordinated platform to amplify the collective voice of civil society.

CSO-Media Round Table Meet

“I would like to applaud CSOs for coming up with this workshop, where you are looking for engagement with the media houses. It is very commendable, and these kinds of engagement, we are also looking forward to from every sector,  because recognising the role and impact storytelling makes, and this is the first step to do it, and I am also looking forward to how the strategy comes out, how we can better engage with CSOs, and come up with beautiful stories ”, said a Journalist.  

BCMD and RENEW jointly organised the CSO–Media Engagement Forum on 14 August 2025 in Thimphu. The event convened 51 participants, including representatives from civil society organisations, the media, development partners, and officials from the CSO Authority Secretariat. Centred on the theme “Fostering Media–CSO Synergy for People-Centred Development and Democratic Engagement,” the forum served as a platform for open dialogue, mutual learning, and collective reflection on the evolving engagement between the two sectors.

The Journalist Association of Bhutan (JAB) presented key findings from the two nationwide studies examining Bhutan’s media landscape and public perceptions of the press. The results underscored pressing challenges to press freedom, transparency, and media sustainability, alongside strategic recommendations to foster an inclusive, trusted, and resilient media sector. The CSO Authority (CSOA) Secretariat also provided an overview of the regulatory frameworks and institutional mechanisms currently in place to uphold accountability and integrity within the CSO sector, including an overview of the Bhutan Civil Society Accountability Standards (BCAS). Respect, Educate Nurture & Empower Women (RENEW Plus) introduced the draft CSO–Media Engagement Strategy, which aims to enhance collaboration, mutual understanding and strategic partnership between the two sectors. 

A focused round table discussion, moderated by Mr Needrup Zangpo, examined the current state and challenges of engagement between the CSOs and media. The conversation delved into strategies to advance human-centred storytelling through the work of CSOs, promote responsible advocacy, and identify opportunities for joint initiatives that support transparency, accountability, and inclusive development. Participants from both sectors reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration and open dialogue, recognising their shared role and responsibility in shaping Bhutan’s development narrative and contributing to its socio-economic progress and values-based growth within a democratic framework.

The Suja & Dzaw Conversation on Climate Change in Bhutan- Impact and Response

The second Suja and Dzaw Conversation for the 21st edition of The Druk Journal on “Climate Change in Bhutan: Impact and Responses” was held on 15th August 2025 at Sherubtse College, Kanglung. The conversation brought together over 120 participants, including former Members of Parliament, students, teachers, lecturers, and local officials, to reflect on the urgent realities of climate change in Bhutan and the country’s responses.

The dialogue was enriched by four contributors to the edition, underscoring Bhutan’s active role in global climate negotiations, while pointing out the inadequacy of climate finance and the growing risks posed by glacial melt, drying springs, and floods. Despite the abundance of rivers, the country faces mounting water insecurity, highlighting the need for stronger governance and public awareness of water as a finite resource.

Much of the conversation centred on the cryosphere and the cascading effects of glacier retreat, permafrost thaw, and glacial lake outbursts on ecosystems and livelihoods of Bhutanese, particularly the most vulnerable, including women and children. The speakers emphasised the importance of reliable scientific data and effective communication to strengthen public understanding. From an ethnographic perspective, climate change was also shown to disrupt traditions, sacred cycles, and community practices, reminding participants of the value of cultural wisdom and storytelling in shaping resilience and adaptation. As one forestry personnel in the audience reflected, “We did learn about climate change from a very young age in school, but through this conversation we learnt how spiritually local peoples are affected, and how they think of climate change. We usually think of climate change in terms of temperature rise, but here we discussed how it impacts water and glaciers. In the short term, melting glaciers may benefit hydropower, but in the long term, sustainability will be very hard. As forestry personnel, we are doing everything we can to increase forest coverage and enhance carbon sequestration to contribute positively to climate change.”

The conversation concluded with a shared understanding that Bhutan’s climate response requires stronger adaptation strategies in water management, agriculture, and disaster preparedness. Integrated resource management, improved governance, and youth education were identified as key priorities, alongside the need to cultivate mindful consumption and ethical decision-making. The discussion made clear that collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and communities is not only desirable but essential if Bhutan is to respond effectively to the profound challenges of climate change.

Stakeholder Consultation Meeting on Strengthening Child Protection Mechanisms in Bhutan

On 26th August 2025, the Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy, in collaboration with the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC), convened a national Stakeholder Consultation on Strengthening Child Protection Mechanisms in Bhutan. The consultation brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from government agencies, CSOs, the judiciary, law enforcement and the media, to deliberate on actionable solutions. This consultation was organised in response to the growing need for stronger, more coordinated, and preventative approaches to safeguarding children’s rights and well-being.

Building on the existing legal and institutional frameworks, the Stakeholder Consultation looked at the opportunity to further strengthen child protection by enhancing inter-agency coordination, increasing public awareness, improving resource allocation, and proactively addressing emerging risks such as online safety, grooming, and data management gaps.

Key discussions focused on:
• Reviewing existing laws, policies, and their implementation gaps
• Exploring a potential vetting and information-sharing system to strengthen institutional safeguards
• Enhancing the role of media and communication in advocacy, transparency, and public education

Participants also emphasised the need to address rural vulnerabilities, strengthen legal literacy, improve coordination among service providers, and reinforce social protection measures in the 13th Five-Year Plan. The consultation concluded with a shared commitment to enhance collaboration, improve monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and advance civic awareness as a key tool to prevent harm and ensure every child in Bhutan grows up safe, supported, and protected.

Peer-Facilitation Workshop for LG leaders of Tsirang Dzongkhag 

The Peer Facilitation Workshop was held in Tsirang district from 1–3 September 2025 with 13 participants, including Gewog Administrative Officers, district officials, and BCMD staff. The three-day workshop aimed to strengthen facilitation skills with a focus on inclusivity, neutrality, and participatory decision-making. Participants explored the meaning and values of facilitation, trust, openness, honesty, equality, and flexibility and the importance of creating safe spaces for open dialogue. They learned that facilitation is about guiding and encouraging discussions rather than directing them, and that all voices, including those of women and persons with disabilities, must be heard.

Participants' reflections revealed that community meetings often started without establishing a safe, inclusive tone, and that facilitation should go beyond information dissemination to genuine consultation. They also discussed the three dimensions of facilitation, process, relationship, and result, and the stages of group dynamics, which helped them understand how to manage groups effectively and inclusively. Participants realised that building trust and managing relationships are as vital as achieving results.

They further examined the differences between facilitators, trainers, and chairpersons, recognising that facilitators maintain neutrality and inclusivity. Moving from conventional to participatory decision-making was identified as essential for encouraging diverse perspectives and shared ownership of decisions. The session on active listening emphasised skills such as mirroring, paraphrasing, and maintaining eye contact, which participants found crucial in fostering understanding and respect during discussions.

The final day focused on practical facilitation tools such as summarising, stacking, creating space, balancing participation, managing group dynamics, and conducting debriefs., Participants connected these techniques to their experiences in gewog and chiwog consultations, recognising that practices like sharing agendas beforehand, using plain language, and holding debrief sessions can greatly enhance inclusivity and ownership, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of meetings.

The workshop concluded that facilitation is both a skill and a mindset developed through practice. By applying participatory methods and upholding the core values of trust, openness, honesty, equality, and flexibility, facilitators can transform community consultations into inclusive, respectful, and action-oriented spaces where diverse perspectives lead to shared decisions and stronger community outcomes. Through this workshop, the local leaders gained a deeper understanding of their roles in local governance, particularly in fostering bottom-up planning, prioritisation, and budget allocation grounded in genuine community needs identified through a consultative process.

GNH-Based Participatory Planning and Community Analysis 

The Workshop on GNH-Based Participatory Planning and Community Analysis was conducted from 7-13 October 2025,  with 37 Local government leaders from the 12 gewogs of Tsirang Dzongkhag. The workshop opened with a deep reflection on Bhutan’s local governance system and the realities of decentralisation in practice, from local government rules and regulations to local government planning, prioritisation and budgeting processes.

While decentralisation has empowered local governments to plan and prioritise development in their communities, participants highlighted several ongoing challenges that hinder its effectiveness., These include unclear agenda setting, poor documentation, citizen fatigue from frequent meetings, and limited capacity to support meaningful participatory planning. They also observed that many citizens continue to view governance as a government function alone, rather than a shared, collective and collaborative responsibility.

“It is difficult to get community participation during chiwog zomdu meetings. Many people attend only if there are direct benefits for them,” shared one participant, highlighting the ongoing need for civic awareness and awareness,  and trust-building at the grassroots level.

Participants explored the planning and communication flow across the Dzongkhag, Gewog and Chiwog levels. As per the Local Development Planning Manual 2021, activities approved at the gewog level must be submitted to the Dzongkhag for information, while activities requiring higher budgets or support from central agencies are forwarded to the Dzongkhag as formal proposals derived from consultations with the community through the chiwog zomdu. Many participants conceded that these linkages were not fully understood before. 

The session clarified roles, responsibilities, and the procedural flow in the local planning and prioritisation processes and structures, particularly the roles of the Agenda Finalisation Committee, which is responsible for reviewing and categorising agendas by constituency and subject, and also visited the Protocol for Local Government Proceedings (publication of the Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management) to understand the roles of the relevant LG actors and functions therein.

Participants were introduced to eight participatory planning tools under four GNH themes, covering key aspects such as social and economic resource mapping, gender analysis, stakeholder identification, and public service delivery analysis. Using these tools, they learnt the development of inclusive community development plans, which were presented in the plenary session.  Following the training, participants will work collaboratively with community members to co-develop a comprehensive community development plan, which will be showcased during a Town Hall in January.

Citizen Empowerment Workshop

How can communities truly thrive if citizens remain silent spectators in decisions that affect their everyday lives? 

For many residents, this question came alive during BCMD’s Citizen Empowerment Workshop that began on 13th to 18th October 2025. The workshop brought together farmers, youth, women, and former local government leaders from the 12 Gewogs of Tsirang to reflect on how each individual’s voice can shape and drive positive change within their communities.

Discussions revealed that while citizens are often informed, they are not always consulted on matters such as community needs, budget availability and allocations, or upcoming plans and programmes. The consultations also highlighted a pattern of procedural, rather than participatory engagements. Although formal structures for public consultation exist, many citizens still perceive these meetings as administrative requirements rather than opportunities to shape development that affect their lives. This points to a deeper need for civic empowerment where citizens recognise and embrace both their right and their responsibility to actively participate in decision-making.

The workshop encouraged citizens to move from being passive listeners to active participants, engaging constructively with local government leaders to shape priorities and decisions that impact their everyday lives. Citizens were also reminded of their civic responsibilities, about the reciprocal obligations between the State and Citizens, in problem-solving and ensuring that interventions reflect community needs and values for better ownership and sustainability. 

Inclusive Journalism Practices Covering Gender and Governance

BCMD organised a two-day workshop on Inclusive Journalism Practices Covering Gender and Governance on the 27th and 28th of October 2025 in Paro. The workshop brought together 15 journalists from 7 public and private media houses and Kuzoo FM, and focused on enhancing journalists’ understanding of the intersections between gender, media, and governance. The two-day workshop facilitated in-depth discussions on women’s representation in governance and the persistent gap between Bhutan’s legal provisions for gender equality and their implementation in practice.

Participants critically examined how media narratives influence public perception and engagement in governance, policy and decision-making processes. Emphasis was placed on the principles of constructive, restorative and solution-based journalism, encouraging reporting that highlights not only challenges but also solutions, resilience, and good practices. The sessions further underscored the importance of applying a gender lens in journalistic practice, including the choice of language, framing of issues, and selection of sources.

Through group exercises and case-based learning, journalists developed story concepts around gender and governance. The participants also engaged in carrying out field-based reporting using a gender lens in news reporting. The workshop concluded with participants reflecting deeply on the importance of integrating a gender perspective within media and policy spaces. Many acknowledged a renewed understanding that gender equality is not limited to empowering women alone, but entails ensuring balanced representation and engagement of both men and women in decision-making processes.

Participants also committed to advocating for greater inclusion of women’s voices in editorial policies and newsroom practices. The sessions also served as a platform for self-reflection, where journalists recognised the need for continuous learning, collaboration with experts, and more nuanced coverage of gender issues across diverse sectors beyond politics. The workshop thus fostered a shared commitment to advancing equitable representation and strengthening the role of media in promoting inclusive governance in practice.  

Druk Journal Conversation: Mindful Governance, Mindful Society

About 270 Pelsups in Gelephu attended a conversation on the theme of The Druk Journal's latest issue, “Mindful Governance, Mindful Society” on Friday, 30th October.

Rooted deeply in Bhutanese values, mindfulness was highlighted in the conversation as a lived ethic rather than a trend. For most, it is a way of being that shapes leadership, community, and collective well-being.

Global interest in mindfulness has been expanding rapidly, simultaneously diversifying its interpretation. Bhutan’s opportunity lies in preserving its spiritual roots, grounded in altruism, bodhicitta, service, and a sense of community, while building systems, institutions, and communities that embody mindful governance for the benefit of all.

Discussions centred around how to integrate mindfulness into governance, policies, and practices. And how to balance mindfulness with a sense of competitiveness. The gathering also discussed the idea of mindful prosperity, and that it also requires a sense of social awareness and greater social well-being. Participants shared some of their plans and ideas, and also expressed interest in how to popularise mindfulness in Gelephu. 

"The session was truly enriching. I was inspired by the curiosity and genuine concern shown by everyone. With this level of awareness and commitment, I am confident that Pelsups will meaningfully contribute to GMC’s development," Said a participant of the Pelsung programme.