GenZs who staged the massive countrywide demonstrations on Sept 8 and 9 are now working to institutionalize the uprising as a political movement. In the two months since the protest, nearly 40 GenZ groups have emerged. Although each group carries its own identity, priorities, and internal structure, youth leaders say they are increasingly converging around a single objective: to establish the September protest as a coherent, long-term political movement pushing for systemic reforms.
According to youth leaders involved in coordination, the groups diverge on strategy: some prioritize system change, constitutional amendments, and governance reforms, while others emphasize anti-corruption measures or economic revival. Yet discussions over the past week suggest growing agreement that the September protests were not a one-off eruption but the beginning of a broader political assertion by young Nepalis.
Several groups are drafting common charters, messaging guidelines, and long-term mobilization plans. They are also exploring ways to institutionalize cooperation, potentially through a loose coalition, a national network, or a joint secretariat.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is also actively engaging with representatives from the GenZ groups. Prime Minister Sushila Karki has met with youth activists, who have formally submitted their demands. To streamline communication, the PMO has established a focal point dedicated to handling GenZ concerns, facilitating dialogue, and coordinating follow-up actions. This focal point has already begun holding regular meetings with youth leaders to better understand their agendas and expectations.
Beyond the PMO, youth groups have initiated discussions with major political parties, civil society networks, issue-based advocacy organizations, and policy experts. These engagements aim to gauge political willingness for reform and identify potential avenues for youth participation in governance.
Analysts say the rise of these GenZ collectives reflects deeper frustrations over unemployment, corruption, poor public service delivery, and a lack of accountability. However, formalizing a political movement brings its own challenges, such as sustaining momentum, managing ideological diversity, preventing co-option by established forces, and ensuring the movement represents young Nepalis beyond urban centers. Some experts caution that without clear leadership structures, a shared policy roadmap, and long-term strategic thinking, the energy could dissipate.
Still, the youth groups remain optimistic. The GenZ coalitions plan to continue internal consultations to finalize common agendas. At the same time, their engagement with the PMO and political parties is expected to intensify, especially as the government signals readiness to consider certain reforms.
Whether the groups ultimately form a unified political platform or a looser civic movement remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: GenZ is preparing to claim a far more assertive role in shaping the country’s political future.
