Governance & Ethics

Code of Conduct, Review & Corrective Mechanism

Project 100 Minds | Empowering Students with Skills, Technology, and Mindset

An Initiative of DEV Community Nepal

This document serves as a foundational governance, ethics, and risk-management framework for Project 100 Minds, an initiative governed by DEV Community Nepal. All participants are required to read, understand, and formally agree to the terms outlined herein.

1. Purpose & Scope

This policy is established to:

Protect the integrity, credibility, and reputation of Project 100 Minds and DEV Community Nepal
Define expected standards of conduct and professionalism
Provide clear mechanisms for review, correction, and resolution of issues
Establish transparent and fair replacement procedures
Ensure a safe, inclusive, ethical, and legally compliant environment

This policy applies to:

Central Steering Committee members
Provincial Leads and Co-Leads
College Ambassadors and Deputy Ambassadors
College-Level Committee members
Task Force members
Volunteers and contributors

2. Nature of Engagement (Legal Positioning)

Participation is voluntary and non-remunerated
Does not constitute employment or paid consultancy
Participants act as student leaders and volunteers
No financial or employment guarantees
DEV Community Nepal retains full governance authority

3. Core Principles & Values

All participants must uphold the following principles:

✨

Integrity and honesty

🤝

Respect and inclusivity

📋

Accountability and responsibility

👥

Collaboration and professionalism

🌱

Learning-first and growth-oriented mindset

⚖️

Ethical representation

4. Code of Conduct

4.1 Professional Conduct

Participants must:

  • Represent professionally at all times
  • Communicate respectfully
  • Follow approved channels
  • Respect time commitments

4.2 Ethical Behavior

Participants must NOT:

  • Engage in fraud or misrepresentation
  • Use initiative for personal gain
  • Misuse authority or position
  • Accept unauthorized funds

4.3 Inclusivity & Safety

Participants must:

  • Promote inclusive participation
  • Maintain safe environment
  • Respect differing opinions

Zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, or abuse

4.4 Digital & Media Conduct

Must follow branding guidelines and NOT:

  • Speak without authorization
  • Share confidential information
  • Use platforms for personal agendas

4.5 Financial & Resource Integrity

Participants must:

  • Handle resources responsibly
  • Seek prior approval for financial activity
  • Maintain proper documentation

Any misuse of funds constitutes serious misconduct.

5. Confidentiality & Data Protection

Participants must:

  • Protect personal data of students and partners
  • Not share internal documents without permission
  • Follow data protection and privacy laws

DEV Community Nepal retains rights over:

Reports, data, media, photographs, videos, and documentation generated under the initiative

6. Conflict of Interest

Participants must disclose:

  • Personal, academic, or financial interests
  • Affiliations that could create bias

DEV Community Nepal reserves the right to manage or restrict participation in cases of conflict of interest.

7. Review & Corrective Mechanism

Designed to ensure fairness, learning, accountability, and institutional protection while maintaining discipline and credibility.

7.1 Principles Governing Review

Fairness and natural justice
Confidentiality and dignity
Proportionality of action
Opportunity for explanation
Protection of brand integrity

7.2 Grounds for Initiating a Review

Repeated unresponsiveness
Failure to attend mandatory events
Failure to meet responsibilities
Misrepresentation
Breach of Code of Conduct
Misuse of authority
Harassment or discrimination
Financial irregularities
Reputational or legal risk

7.3 Levels of Review & Corrective Action

Level 1Informal Review & Counseling
  • Minor issues
  • First-time lapses
  • Learning challenges
  • No formal record
Level 2Formal Written Warning
  • Persistent issues
  • Documented concerns
  • Improvement timeline
  • Recorded internally
Level 3Probation or Role Adjustment
  • Temporary status
  • Reduced responsibilities
  • Mandatory supervision
  • Defined probation period
Level 4Final Review & Disciplinary Action
  • Central Committee review
  • Suspension or removal
  • Final and binding decision

7.4 Emergency Review

Immediate review without intermediate steps for:

Sexual misconduct
Physical or verbal abuse
Financial fraud
Serious legal threats

8. Replacement Mechanism

Ensures continuity and stability while safeguarding institutional integrity. No role is permanent or guaranteed.

8.1 Grounds for Replacement

  • Voluntary resignation
  • Inability to continue
  • Persistent inactivity
  • Repeated breaches
  • Serious violations
  • Loss of trust
  • Strategic restructuring

8.2 Authority & Process

  • DEV Community Nepal holds ultimate authority
  • Central Committee may recommend replacements
  • All final decisions rest with DEV Community Nepal

9. Resignation Policy

Structured process for voluntary withdrawal ensuring continuity, accountability, and stakeholder protection.

9.1 Right to Resign

All participants have the right to resign at any time with responsible exit expected.

9.2 Notice Period

  • • Standard: 14 days
  • • Leadership: 30 days
  • • Immediate in exceptional cases

9.3 Procedure

  • • Written resignation
  • • State last working date
  • • Cooperate in handover

10. Legal Safeguards & Liability Limitation

10.1 Non-Employment Status

  • Voluntary and unpaid
  • No employer-employee relationship
  • No entitlement to wages or benefits

10.2 Limitation of Liability

  • Not liable for personal outcomes
  • Not liable for loss of opportunity
  • Participants act at own discretion

10.3 Indemnification

  • Against misuse of authority
  • Against unauthorized actions
  • Against policy breaches

10.4 Governing Law

  • Governed by laws of Nepal
  • Jurisdiction of Nepalese courts

11. Amendments & Authority

This policy is a living governance document and may evolve as Project 100 Minds grows.

11.1 Amendment Authority

DEV Community Nepal retains exclusive authority to amend this policy.

11.2 Communication

Updated versions communicated through official channels.

11.3 Supremacy

This policy prevails over other documents.

12. Acceptance & Acknowledgment

By accepting a role in Project 100 Minds, participants acknowledge that they:

Have read and understood this document
Agree to comply fully with its terms
Accept the authority of DEV Community Nepal

Failure to comply may result in corrective action or removal.

This document is issued under the authority of DEV Community Nepal and serves as the foundational governance and conduct framework for Project 100 Minds | Cohort 2025 (First Cohort).