Following the success of the Bhutan Innovation Forum (BIF) held from 1 to 3 October, which centred on the vision for Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), the conversation around the finer details of this groundbreaking project has gained significant momentum. To continue fostering engagement and discussion within Bhutan, GMC will have an active presence at Druk Tshongrig Gatoen, Bhutan’s entrepreneurship week.
The aim of this involvement is to create opportunities for a broader segment of the Bhutanese public and potential investors to learn more about GMC, its vision, and the role it will play in shaping Bhutan’s future.
Objectives:
Key Features
1. GMC Stall : For two days, a dedicated stall for Gelephu Mindfulness City will be set up at Druk Tshongrig Gatoen, serving as a central hub for engagement and information-sharing about GMC. The stall will offer:
2. Panel Discussions : Two in-depth panel discussions will be held on Day 1 of Druk Tshongrig Gatoen, bringing together key Managing Directors and leaders involved with GMC. The discussions will explore various aspects of the project, including its economic impact, sustainability, and opportunities for investment and collaboration.
3. Future Collaboration with Schools: As part of the ongoing partnership between GMC and Druk Tshongrig Gatoen, there will be future opportunities for collaboration when the event extends into schools. This will involve bringing the vision of GMC to younger generations, inspiring students with the project’s innovative approach to development and mindfulness.
A project led by the Communications Officer of the Loden Foundation
About the Book:
In observance of the Loden Foundation’s 25th anniversary, the book titled People of Loden is a photo book that showcases the foundation’s journey since its inception in 1999. The book features images of individuals and beneficiaries who have been part of this journey.
The selected entrepreneurs from the spring call will be honored with a khadar, symbolizing our recognition of their hard work and dedication. This gesture will serve as a formal acknowledgment of their achievements and commitment to entrepreneurial growth.
This initiative supports our efforts to monitor and highlight the progress of Bhutanese entrepreneurs under the Loden Entrepreneurship Program in the post-COVID landscape. The session will provide a platform for both new and previously selected entrepreneurs to share their journeys, achievements, and challenges, showcasing their resilience and the program’s ongoing impact.
Entrepreneurs from the 2023 cohort will prepare brief presentations on their progress, including successes and challenges. The session will include a panel discussion for audience Q&A and feedback from Loden mentors. This will emphasize the program’s commitment to long-term support and the continued relevance of entrepreneurship in Bhutan’s evolving business environment.
At Druk Tshongrig Gatoen (DTG) 2024, explore a vibrant stall showcasing a diverse range of local small business products, celebrating the creativity and hard work of our artisans and entrepreneurs. The highlight of the stall includes the Avocado Festival, featuring the finest avocados from Pemagatshel and Mongar, and a special selection of premium oats from the highlands of Bumthang. Join us in celebrating Bhutan’s rich agricultural heritage and supporting local businesses, as we bring together the best of our regions to inspire and uplift!
As part of Druk Tshongrig Gatoen (DTG) 2024, the colleges under the Royal University of Bhutan, Startup Centers, and schools with Entrepreneurship Clubs are celebrating entrepreneurship in their own unique ways. Each institution is hosting initiatives to inspire, nurture, and promote entrepreneurship among students and young innovators.
These celebrations, driven by students and faculty, play an essential role in advancing entrepreneurship in Bhutan, cultivating a culture of innovation and collaboration!
A key highlight of this year’s Druk Tshongrig Gatoen is the launch of the Bhutan Food Dialogue, a collaborative initiative with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Bhutan. This platform will foster critical conversations on Bhutan’s food systems, bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers, and development partners to explore key challenges and opportunities within the sector.
The Bhutan Food Dialogue aims to share insights, discuss sustainable approaches, and identify collaborative strategies to enhance Bhutan’s food landscape. The dialogue will focus on building a resilient and self-sustaining food ecosystem that aligns with Bhutan’s GNH values, ensuring that food security and sustainable agriculture remain a national priority.
By bringing together local expertise and international partnerships, the first session of the Bhutan Food Dialogue at DTG 2024 will lay the foundation for future initiatives that promote food security, sustainable agriculture, and the well-being of Bhutan’s population.
Objective:
The Bhutan Food Dialogue seeks to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore Bhutan’s food systems, identifying challenges, opportunities, and sustainable solutions that align with the GNH framework and Bhutan’s broader development goals.
Key Features:
As Bhutan’s entrepreneurship ecosystem continues to expand, the importance of high-quality advertising cannot be overstated. Creatives form the backbone of effective communication, enabling businesses to connect with their audience and market their products or services effectively. In alignment with this, Nyingnor, a strategic communications firm in Thimphu, is pleased to sponsor and coordinate the Creative Awards, an initiative to recognise and reward the most innovative advertising efforts in Bhutan.
Event Overview: The Creative Awards aim to celebrate the creativity and innovation behind advertising campaigns in Bhutan, highlighting the role that quality ads creatives play in the success of any business. The event will take place over two days during Druk Tshongrig Gatoen, featuring panel discussions, showcases, and interactive presentations.
Objectives:
2. Prizes:
3. Judging Criteria: The entries will be judged on a range of factors, including:
Creative Awards Showcase (Ongoing): Throughout the event, a dedicated stall will be set up featuring two large TV screens and posters showcasing the entries submitted for the Creative Awards. Visitors can view the creative advertisements in video format as well as static social media posts, providing a real-time opportunity to explore the innovation behind each entry.
At Druk Tshongrig Gatoen (DTG) 2024, explore a vibrant stall showcasing a diverse range of local small business products, celebrating the creativity and hard work of our artisans and entrepreneurs. The highlight of the stall includes the Avocado Festival, featuring the finest avocados from Pemagatshel and Mongar, and a special selection of premium oats from the highlands of Bumthang. Join us in celebrating Bhutan’s rich agricultural heritage and supporting local businesses, as we bring together the best of our regions to inspire and uplift!
The Bhutan Waste Bank, a pioneering initiative under the PLEASE Project, is revolutionizing waste management in Thimphu. Launched by Greener Way, this innovative project allows residents to convert their dry waste, such as plastic bottles, aluminium, and paper, into cash. By doing so, the initiative supports Thimphu’s mission of transitioning from a high-waste city to a zero-plastic city while contributing to environmental sustainability and economic growth. Residents can bring their recyclable waste to newly established Waste Banks at designated drop-off centers, where waste is weighed, categorized, and sellers are paid based on the type of waste they contribute, with rates varying from Nu 25 per kilogram for PET bottles to Nu 100 per kilogram for aluminium. The Bhutan Waste Bank has the capacity to process five metric tonnes of PET bottles and three metric tonnes of plastic waste daily, producing eco-poles for electric fencing and road markers. The establishment of a dedicated recycling and shredding facility at Memelakha landfill site is key to supporting these operations. This initiative not only helps reduce the waste ending up in landfills but also cuts down government expenses while offering employment opportunities for youth. Residents from nearby districts are encouraged to participate, creating a collaborative effort in waste reduction. Explore more about how the Bhutan Waste Bank is shaping the future of waste management at our stall during Druk Tshongrig Gatoen. Discover how you can turn waste into a resource and contribute to a cleaner, greener Bhutan. Greener Way is here to show that waste is not just discarded material—waste is value, waste is opportunity, and waste is cash. Together, let’s redefine waste in Bhutan!
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