YAPE started off as a group of local youths in Lalitpur district who rallied to get rid of polluting brick kilns from residential areas of Kathmandu valley. Their effective way in intervening in the conflict between the kiln entrepreneurs and local residents and the eventual success in getting rid of the kilns through a legal act in parliament helped secure them funding from Peace Direct. YAPE works directly with local communities to develop immediate responses to outbreaks of violence as they occur. Since March 2007, they have intervened in over 20 grassroots level conflicts. YAPE are also active in training local people in conflict resolution and prevention techniques to give them the skills they need to avoid violence occurring.

YAPE also work to support the rights of victims of the conflict in Nepal.