Health Research and Social Development Forum (HERD) is a national non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting evidence-informed policies and practices that advance health, social development, and sustainable development. Through high-quality research, technical assistance, and capacity strengthening, we generate evidence that informs policy, improves programmes, and contributes to health and well-being in Nepal and beyond.
Our Vision
To improve the health and well-being of people through evidence-informed policies and practices.
Our Values
Our work is guided by the following core values:
- People First - We place people and communities at the centre of our work, ensuring that research and interventions are responsive to their needs.
- Integrity - We uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, transparency, and accountability.
- Innovation - We embrace new ideas, technologies, and approaches to generate impactful solutions.
- Efficiency - We continuously learn, adapt, and optimise our approaches to deliver high-quality and timely results.
- Partnership - We build trusted, respectful, and long-term relationships that foster shared learning, collective action, and sustainable development outcomes.
- Geared-Up Development - We apply systems thinking and the Theory of Change to accelerate development outcomes and maximise impact.
- Empowerment - We strengthen the capacity of researchers, practitioners, and future leaders to drive positive change.
- Strategic Engagement - We translate evidence into policy and practice through meaningful engagement with governments, partners, and communities.
Our 3I Approach
HERD's work is driven by three interconnected principles:
- Intervention - Designing and implementing evidence-based solutions to address priority health and development challenges.
- Innovation - Applying multidisciplinary research, implementation science, and emerging technologies to improve policies and programmes.
- Impact - Delivering measurable and sustainable improvements in health systems, policies, and population well-being.
Our Track Record
- Implemented 100+ research, monitoring and evaluation, health systems, and development projects.
- Empowered 500+ young researchers and development professionals through mentoring, research, and capacity strengthening.
- Delivered 50+ specialised training programmes and workshops, benefiting 3,000+ health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and programme implementers.
Partnerships and Collaboration
Health Research and Social Development Forum (HERD) works closely with all three tiers of the Government of Nepal, bilateral and multilateral development partners, academic and research institutions, civil society organisations, and local communities to generate evidence, strengthen health systems, and improve health and development outcomes.
HERD has a long-standing strategic partnership with HERD International, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The partnership is strengthened through HERD International's representation on the Board of HERD, complemented by technical collaboration across the entire research and programme cycle from concept development and proposal preparation to implementation, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge translation, and policy engagement.