Bhutan Partners

Bhutan Association of Women Entrepreneurs

Bhutan Association of Women Entrepreneurs (BAOWE) is a registered non-government organization in Bhutan. They stand for a just and equitable society in which women recognize their strengths and become successful, empowered entrepreneurs leading meaningful lives as responsible and responsive citizens of Bhutan. The BAOWE reaches out and empowers women and girls, particularly single mothers, unemployed youth, and women working in the informal sector, through entrepreneurship programs.

BAOWE has over 4,000 members across 13 Districts in the form of self-help groups (SHGs) and cooperatives. These women’s groups are engaged in a plethora of agricultural activities ranging from rice, cardamom, turmeric, vegetables, mustard, and aromatic plant plantation to the production of mustard oil, dairy products, and dairy/poultry feed. BAOWE helps its members with branding, packaging, labeling, and marketing of local produce.

BAOWE provides a common platform through which the needs, concerns and aspirations of women entrepreneurs are collectively and effectively advocated, voiced and addressed by facilitating meaningful dialogues with relevant stakeholders, key partners and the business community in general.

Bhutan Animal Rescue and Care (BARC)

Bhutan Animal Rescue and Care (BARC) promotes the health and welfare of all animals in Bhutan by proactively rescuing animals in need and promoting animal happiness in support of community happiness.

BARC provides rescue service, picks up animals in need, and organizes transport through supporters. While striving to re-integrate or relocate recovered animals, those animals which are handicapped or suffering from chronic diseases are kept at their shelter. To support a small and healthy stray animal population, BARC conducts weekly sterilization campaigns with DHPPI-L vaccinations. Their program is built upon a network of caring citizens who bring stray dogs from their neighborhood which makes follow-up care and release of sterilized dogs back into the community a successful initiative.

Buddhist Art & Cultural Conservation Center

The Buddhist Art & Cultural Conservation Centre (BACCC) in Thimphu is dedicated to preserving Bhutan’s Buddhist heritage. It works closely with the Central Monastic Body to conserve sacred relics, Buddhist art, and cultural artifacts. BACCC digitizes and catalogs sacred objects from over 2,000 monasteries across Bhutan, ensuring their protection. The center also trains monk conservators and collaborates with organizations like the Druk Foundation for Art Preservation. Through these efforts, BACCC plays a vital role in safeguarding Bhutan’s cultural and spiritual heritage for future generations.

Bhutan Center For Media and Democracy

Bhutan Ecological Society

Bhutan Film Institute

The Bhutan Film Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing and elevating cinema in Bhutan. Through masterclasses, training programs, and creative opportunities, BFI empowers emerging Bhutanese filmmakers to develop their storytelling craft and produce films that resonate locally and internationally.

BFI also organizes the Kingdom of Bhutan International Film Festival (KBIFF), Bhutan’s first international film festival — a platform showcasing diverse cinema from Bhutan, the Himalayan region, and around the world. The festival also fosters cultural exchange, supports emerging talent, and celebrates the art of filmmaking in the Himalayan context.

By partnering with BFI, you support the growth of Bhutanese cinema, help bring Himalayan stories to a global audience, and contribute to a vibrant creative ecosystem grounded in local identity and artistic excellence.

Bhutan Institute of Wellbeing

The Bhutan Institute of Well-being is a visionary initiative of Her Majesty Gyalyum Tseyring Pem Wangchuck, the President of the Bhutan Youth Development Fund. The Institute provide programs for the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders through the modeling and promotion of a holistic education process.

Grounded in the vision of creating “A Happy and Harmonious Society,” BIW champions GNH values to inspire right understanding, right living, and a deeper sense of self-investigation. The theme of the Institute is understanding oneself as a human being through self-exploration, and living accordingly, for happiness and prosperity.

Bhutan Media Foundation

Bhutan Baseball and Softball Association

The Bhutan Baseball and Softball Association (BBSA), was founded in 2013 by Karma Dorji and American resident Matthew DeSantis with the mission to promote a sporting culture and create awareness of physical fitness in Bhutanese youth and adults. BBSA is Bhutan’s national governing body for baseball, softball, and Baseball5. It provides the opportunity for thousands of players, coaches and umpires across the Kingdom to participate in the sport at the youth and senior levels.

Since becoming an officially recognized association in 2021 to date, BBSA has registered over 3,500 youths, with almost 90% aged from 6 to 18 years old, with active players numbering around 800 from Thimphu alone.

The BBSA supports seven clubs in Bhutan, the Thimphu Red Pandas, Paro Ravens, Wangdue Cranes, Phuentsholing Crocodiles, Gelephu Tuskers, Samtse Rhinos, and Club Nakama. The organization and its full-time staff are based in
Bhutan’s capital city of Thimphu, and conduct free weekly training clinics for students that are open to the general public.

In the summer of 2021, the world governing body for baseball, softball, and Baseball5, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), approved Bhutan’s membership, along with official induction by the Baseball Federation of Asia and Softball Asia. Additionally, BBSA became a permanently affiliated member of the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC) in May 2023, following a two-year provisional period.

While the BBSA has made great strides in introducing the sport to youth in urban and rural areas, access to fields, equipment, and coaching staff has become too limited to support the demand. To introduce leagues for boys and girls in younger age groups, establish clubs in the remaining fourteen districts, and offer camps and league play in those districts, please consider donating today to help raise funds to provide the opportunity for all interested youth and adults to participate in the sport.

Bhutan Nuns Foundation

Bhutan Stroke Foundation

Founded in 2019 and registered as a Civil Society Organization in 2020, BSF is dedicated to supporting stroke survivors, caregivers, and at-risk individuals across Bhutan.

Through services such as online non-medical rehabilitation, tele-physiotherapy, public awareness campaigns, risk-assessment research, and livelihood skill development, BSF works to reduce disability, raise awareness, and foster inclusion for stroke-affected individuals and families.

Partnering with BSF supports access to vital care, rehabilitation and community-based support for stroke survivors, helping build a more inclusive, supportive health and social ecosystem in Bhutan.

Bhutan Tiger Center

The Bhutan Tiger Center leads national efforts to conserve and restore the wild tiger population in Bhutan. Through scientific research, habitat monitoring, and community-based conservation initiatives, BTC works to ensure the long-term survival of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger across Bhutan’s varied landscapes — from subtropical jungles to high-altitude forests.

BTC also spearheads habitat-restoration programs (like restoring grasslands and strengthening prey populations) and implements community-oriented measures to reduce human–tiger conflict, such as livestock protection schemes.

By supporting BTC, partners contribute directly to safeguarding Bhutan’s biodiversity, promoting ecosystem resilience, and enabling coexistence between communities and wildlife — helping Bhutan shine as a global example of successful, science-based conservation.

Bhutan Trust Fund For Environment Conservation

Established in 1991 as the world’s first environmental trust fund, BTF provides sustainable financing for Bhutan’s conservation efforts. Created through a partnership between the Royal Government of Bhutan, UNDP, and WWF, the fund has grown from its original US$20 million endowment to over US$84 million as of June 2025.

Guided by a high-level Board of Trustees and supported by a dedicated Secretariat, BTF operates as an autonomous grant-making organization. Since its inception, it has funded more than 288 conservation projects worth over US$35 million. With strong governance, investment management, and monitoring systems, BTF continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Bhutan’s environmental stewardship and long-term ecological resilience.

Bhutan Water Partnership

Bhutan Water Partnership (BhWP) is a consortium of water professionals working towards achieving Integrated Water Resource Management goals through coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources to maximize economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. BhWP was established on 27th August 2001 as an inter-ministerial body to coordinate all water resource protection, development, and management programs.

BhWP is a not-for-profit organization affiliated with Global Water Partnership and Since 2007, BhWP was housed at the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN). Currently, BhWP is governed by a ten-member steering committee comprising water and the environment from both government and non-governmental organizations.

The Bhutan Foundation collaborates with BhWP in implementing two communities project under our small grant program towards improving access to water for drinking, sanitation, and small-scale irrigation through the promotion of roof rainwater harvesting and installation of water infrastructure.

Bhutan Yak Federation

The Bhutan Yak Federation was established to promote yak farming as a vibrant and sustainable program for highlanders in Bhutan. Its mission includes ensuring the aggregation, standardization, quality assurance, and cooperative marketing of yak products, while also enhancing the brand value of Bhutanese yak products on national and global platforms. A key goal of the federation is to empower highland communities through improved governance and decision-making processes, thereby enhancing their livelihoods and living environments.

Bhutan Youth Development Fund

Bumthang Dzongkhag Administration

Bumthang Valley is a place of deep historical and spiritual significance, often regarded as the “spiritual heart of Bhutan.” It is the birthplace of Buddhism in the country and is home to numerous ancient monasteries and temples. One of the most notable is Jambay Lhakhang, among the oldest temples in Bhutan, dating back to the 7th century.

The valley is also closely associated with Guru Rinpoche, the revered Buddhist master who visited in the 8th century. His arrival played a crucial role in shaping Bhutanese Buddhism and led to the establishment of several sacred sites.

Today, Bumthang remains a living testament to Bhutan’s rich heritage, attracting visitors who explore its historical landmarks and immerse themselves in its spiritual atmosphere.

Dhyana Foundation

The Mindfulness Retreat Center was established to provide accessible, secular, and practical mindfulness training at a time when stress and mental health challenges are on the rise. Rooted in Bhutan’s rich spiritual heritage and guided by the country’s commitment to holistic wellbeing, the center offers meditation instruction designed to fit modern lifestyles while preserving the essence of traditional teachings.

Set in Bhutan’s pristine environment—shaped by visionary leadership and the national philosophy of Gross National Happiness—the center serves both Bhutanese and international guests. It addresses the need for clear, practical meditation guidance for youth and adults, and offers visitors an opportunity to engage deeply with mindfulness during their time in Bhutan.

Dodeydrak Buddhist Institute

Dodeydrak Monastery, perched on a forested hill overlooking Thimphu Valley, is a 239-year-old institution founded in 1779 by His Holiness the 13th Je Khenpo Kyabje Yonten Thaye and later expanded by the 18th Druk Desi Jigme Singye. Now home to over 140 monks studying Buddhist philosophy, it was elevated to a Buddhist Institute in 1996 through the support of His Majesty the 4th Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, and the late 68th Je Khenpo Tenzin Dhendup. Named “the Cave of Sutra” after the discovery of the sacred Tripitaka Do-Dey Kelzang, the monastery houses significant cultural and spiritual treasures, including the three-storied Tsuglakhang with sacred statues, naturally formed relics, and historic 18th-century paintings that reflect its deep religious and historical importance in Bhutan.

Dorje Phagmo Foundation

The Dorje Phagmo Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Bhutan, dedicated to supporting the well-being and empowerment of marginalized communities, particularly women and children. The foundation focuses on initiatives that enhance education, health care, and vocational training, aiming to improve the quality of life for those in need. Through various programs and projects, the Dorje Phagmo Foundation works to raise awareness about social issues and promote equal opportunities, contributing to the overall development and sustainability of local communities.

Draktsho Vocational Training Center for Special Children and Youth

Druk Arachis

Established in 2022 in Doksum, Trashiyangtse, the Druk Arachis Peanut Processing Facility aims to become a hub for value-added peanut products like coated peanuts, peanut butter, and roasted salted peanuts. By addressing the lack of local processing capabilities, the project seeks to boost farmer incomes, create jobs for women and youth, and promote rural economic growth.

Key activities include upgrading processing equipment, skill training, and implementing sustainable, community-driven operations with a focus on gender equity and environmental sustainability. Through cooperative governance and innovative marketing strategies, the facility aspires to anchor Eastern Bhutan’s peanut value chain and foster a resilient agri-processing model.

Guengaling Community Cooperatives

The Guengaling Community Cooperative began as a youth-led initiative in Guengaling village, Samtse, aiming to support local livelihoods through sustainable beekeeping. With support from Bhutan Foundation’s Small Grants Program, the cooperative received training in modern apiculture, established beekeeping operations, and laid the groundwork for a honey market.

By reviving beekeeping — especially important after declining cardamom yields in the area — the cooperative helps create stable income opportunities for young farmers, curb rural outmigration, and strengthen community resilience.

Partnering with Guengaling supports community-driven, ecologically sustainable rural development, while promoting beekeeping as a viable livelihood in Bhutan’s rural heartlands.

Gyalyum Charitable Trust

Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, Queen Mother of Bhutan, is deeply committed to improving the welfare of women, youth, and children, particularly the disadvantaged. She has worked for over 20 years as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, addressing social issues such as HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence. Additionally, she supports Bhutan’s cultural heritage, focusing on traditional skills like textile weaving. Her Majesty’s charitable initiatives, supported through the Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck Charitable Trust, aim to ensure sustainable development and positive societal impact.

Jangsa Animal Saving Trust

Jangsa Animal Saving Trust is a non-profit organization in Bhutan dedicated to the rescue, care, and protection of animals. Founded with a deep commitment to compassion and non-violence, the trust focuses on saving animals from slaughter, abandonment, and cruelty, while promoting animal welfare and humane treatment. Jangsa operates animal shelters across Bhutan, providing a safe haven for rescued animals, including stray dogs, cattle, and other domesticated animals. The trust also conducts awareness campaigns, encourages adoption, and promotes ethical treatment of all living beings as part of Bhutan’s spiritual and cultural values. Through its tireless efforts, Jangsa Animal Saving Trust has become a leading advocate for animal rights and welfare, helping to foster a more compassionate and caring society.

Katsho Eco Camp

Katsho Eco Camp is established at Damto Katsho, Haa District, 2,750 meters above sea level. The camp would also specialize in hot stone bathing services renowned for many medicinal values for various ailments.

Khedrup Foundation

Khedrup Foundation was founded by Monla Khedrupchen Rinpoche on October 6, 2017 as a non-profit organization in Bhutan. Rinpoche is the head of the Sangchen Ogyen Tsuklag Monastery in Trongsa in Central Bhutan and Phajo Gonpa in Samdrup Jongkhar in Eastern Bhutan. Khedrup Foundation is dedicated to furthering the propagation of Buddha Dharma and the Longchen Nyingthig Lineage through various initiatives with the local community in Trongsa and beyond.

The organization’s humanitarian work includes the Siddhartha Wisdom Club, which creates a supportive environment for young people to learn and grow, while reducing the causes of suicide, connecting them to their natural environment, instilling Buddhist values in their minds, and sharing the wisdom of Buddha Shakyamuni in a practical way. Another initiative called the Monmo Tashi Khyidren Initiative (named after one of Bhutan’s renowned female Buddhist figures) seeks to further the education and wellbeing of children in rural communities, as well as provide basic amenities to the monks of Sangchen Ogyen Tsuklag Monastery. The Foundation also provides retreats for the elderly in the village and organizes retreats for any individual seeking to learn more about the Buddhist way of life. Other initiatives include the Ogyen Tsuklag Buddhist Academy, Rephel Mebar Lhakhang renovation, and Heruka House retreat center.

Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan

The Lhomon Society

The Loden Foundation

Menjong Sorig Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited

Menjong Sorig Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (MSPCL) is a state-owned enterprise of the Royal Government of Bhutan, entrusted with the mandate to manufacture and supply traditional medicines and herbal health-promoting products. In Bhutan, Sowa Rigpa, the ancient Buddhist system of medicine, is officially recognized by the government as a complementary alternative to modern medicine. MSPCL produces herbal formulations based on the knowledge of Sowa Rigpa science, ensuring the preservation and promotion of this rich medical tradition. Today, there are 66 traditional medicine units and hospitals across the country, providing healthcare services rooted in Sowa Rigpa. MSPCL plays a vital role in supporting this national healthcare system, offering sustainable, high-quality herbal remedies that contribute to holistic health and well-being.

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock

MoAL oversees Bhutan’s agriculture, livestock, marketing, and natural-resource management — shaping policies and programmes to ensure food security, sustainable rural livelihoods, and environmental stewardship.

Through its departments (Agriculture; Livestock; Agricultural Marketing & Cooperatives; Biodiversity, among others), the Ministry supports farmers and rural communities with technical services, market linkages, and development initiatives aimed at strengthening livelihoods and promoting sustainable agricultural growth.

Under the current development strategy, MoAL is working to transform Bhutan’s agrifood sector — promoting high-value and climate-smart agricultural products, enhancing smallholder resilience, and supporting commercialization and value-addition for export markets.

Ogyen Choling Foundation

The Ogyen Choling Foundation in Tang, Bumthang, is dedicated to preserving Bhutan’s cultural and historical heritage. It maintains the Ogyen Choling complex, supports traditional religious rituals, runs a museum, and creates economic opportunities for the local community through employment and markets for local products. The foundation also provides grants to disadvantaged families and scholarships for children’s education. It serves both the local community and visitors interested in Bhutanese history and culture.

Phensem Parents Support Group

Phensem Parent Support Group was established informally by a group of parents in 2017 and registered as a CSO in 2020 with the vision of empowering parents and families of children/persons with disabilities in Bhutan. The group also aspires to advocate for positive change on the challenges faced and support parents, families and persons with disabilities. Phensem currently has about 100+ families registered with CWDs and PWDS ranging from 2-28 years of age.

Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women (RENEW)

Royal Society for Protection and Care of Animals

The Royal Society for Protection and Care of Animals (RSPCA) Founded in 1999 under the Royal Patronage of Gyalyum Tshering Yangdoen Wangchuck as the first organization of its kind, set up fully dedicated to the welfare, protection and well-being of animals in Bhutan. The Organization’s mission is to inculcate a sense of moral responsibility for the proper care and humane treatment of animals through increasing awareness on the plight of animals in Bhutan and; manage a constant and healthy free-roaming dog population; at the same time ensure animal welfare is not compromised. RSPCA is actively engaged with the rescue of Stray animals and provide them with care, stability, medical assistance, rehabilitation and lifelong homes, while also solving the stray dog problems and reducing canine-related diseases in order to maintain a healthy, safe and manageable stray dog population and work to promote the general welfare of animals by raising awareness through public education and advocacy campaign.

Royal Society for the Protection of Nature

Samjong Cooperatives

In Samdrup Jongkhar, farmers and youth of the Samjong Cooperatives are transforming traditional agricultural products into high-value market-ready goods under SAMJONG. From spices to grains, these local treasures are being elevated through improved packaging, certification, and branding.

The initiative is also empowering the next generation through Rural Youth Processing and Marketing Enterprises—youth-led hubs that package, promote, and market local products while building a sustainable rural economy.

Sherchock Women’s Group

Sherchok Women’s Group, based in Gelephu, Bhutan, empowers rural women through agribusiness. Founded in 2013 and re-established in 2021 by Chhimi Dema, the group collaborates with over 360 farmers to promote locally grown produce and create meaningful employment for women. Through a focus on food processing, packaging, and marketing, they equip women with essential skills to compete in the market. Despite challenges, Sherchok Women’s Group has developed a diverse product range, including pickles, fermented vegetables, and spices, and continues to inspire economic independence and community resilience.

Tarayana Foundation

Tshelungna Dairy Cooperative

In Tshelungna, near Thimphu, the Tshelungna Dairy Cooperative, comprising 36 members (mostly women), produces 120 gallons of milk daily, with plans to increase to 160 gallons by 2025.

To meet growing demand, the cooperative aims to upgrade to modern pasteurization equipment, ensuring food safety and enabling value-added products like skimmed and flavored milk. Co-financed by the Thimphu Dzongkhag Administration Office and internal savings, the initiative also includes member training and sustainability measures. This effort strengthens women’s livelihoods while reinvesting in community education and healthcare, fostering resilience and economic growth.

VAST Bhutan

VAST Bhutan was founded in 1998 by a group of professional artists. VAST Bhutan was established with a vision to encourage Bhutanese youth to develop their artistic talents, while simultaneously acknowledging their social responsibilities through community-based projects. These projects promote social awareness, culture, health, hygiene, and the environment through community engagement. In addition to these larger projects, VAST Bhutan also offers classes on drawing, sketching, watercolor painting, oil painting, ceramics, traditional arts, photography, as well as audiovisual and computer design. The Bhutan Foundation has supported VAST Bhutan in several different projects, including cleaning campaigns, training programs and camps for children, and the creation of an art park. The Bhutan Foundation supports VAST Bhutanas they provide creative solutions for youth to stay engaged during their free time and strategically away from abusive behaviors like alcohol and drugs.

Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Center

Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Center preserves one of Bhutan’s most important historical landmarks— the former royal residence of the Second King, built in the late 19th century in Bumthang. The museum showcases the evolution of Bhutan’s monarchy, culture, and daily life through restored architecture, exhibits, and immersive storytelling. As a cultural center, it serves as a vibrant space for community engagement, traditional arts, research, and educational programs, ensuring that the palace remains a living testament to Bhutan’s heritage for future generations.