(AAF)
September
Afghanistan Access to Finance Project (AAF)
The Afghanistan Access to Finance (AAF) Project is a strategic initiative designed to stimulate economic growth by tackling critical barriers in the country's banking and trade sectors. It focuses on strengthening key agricultural value chains—such as grapes, almonds, and dairy—by introducing improved financing models and addressing operational hurdles for producers. Through data-driven market analysis and targeted technical support, the project aims to enhance financial inclusion and connect Afghan MSMEs to new domestic and international opportunities.
Funding Partner: United Nations Development Programme
(PSF)
June
Private Sector Forum
Private Sector Forum (PSF)
The Private Sector Forum (PSF) serves as Afghanistan's premier platform for high-level dialogue between the business community and government policymakers. Its core mission is to identify and resolve obstacles to investment and trade through structured Public-Private Dialogues (PPDs) and expert-led Technical Working Groups. By championing evidence-based advocacy, the PSF has successfully influenced major policy reforms, including the reduction of the Business Receipts Tax, which has created a more predictable and favorable environment for economic growth.
Funding Partner: International Finance Corporation
(WE LEAD)
December
Women’s Economic Empowerment through Local Enterprise Development
Women's Economic Empowerment through Local Enterprise Development (WE-LEAD)
The Women's Economic Empowerment through Local Enterprise Development (WE-LEAD) Project is a grassroots initiative designed to foster financial inclusion for women in Northern Afghanistan. The project formalizes and strengthens community-based savings groups (SGs) by transforming them into structured, self-governing Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (ROSCAs). By providing training in Sharia-compliant financial management and injecting seed capital, WE-LEAD empowers these groups to evolve from basic savings pools into active, income-generating local enterprises.
Funding Partner: United Nations Development Programme
(WE-ACT)
September
Women’s Economic Activity in the Private Sector
(WE-ACT)
Strengthening Women’s Economic Activity in Private Sector (WE-ACT)
The Strengthening Women’s Economic Activity in the Private Sector (WE-ACT) Project employs a two-tiered strategy to support women entrepreneurs at various stages of business development in southern Afghanistan. For informal MSMEs, it provides skills training, equipment, and grants to formalize their operations and enter the market. For established formal SMEs, it offers advanced training and facilitates access to soft loans, with a strategic focus on scaling up production and developing export capabilities for regional and international trade.
Funding Partner: United Nations Development Programme
(WYED)
December
Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development
Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development Project (WYED)
The Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development (WYED) Project is a targeted capacity-building initiative designed torevitalize struggling businesses led by women and young entrepreneurs. The project follows a two-phase model, delivering foundational business skills training to a broad cohort of 150 entrepreneurs to enhance their overall knowledge. Subsequently, a select group of 50 high-potential businesses receives intensive, tailored mentorship and technical assistance to ensure they can standardize operations, achieve sustainable growth, and create new jobs.
(EKRe)
December
Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development
Fund for Food Security, Climate, and Resources Project (EKRe)
The Fund for Food Security, Climate, and Resources is a community-focused initiative in Balkh Province aimed at enhancing resilience against climate change and food insecurity. Implemented in partnership with the IRC, this initiative employs an integrated approach by distributing climate-adapted seeds and tools to farmers, while also supporting women in livestock ownership to diversify their livelihoods. This is complemented by comprehensive training in sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and behavioral change, aimed at creating a lasting impact on community well-being.
Funding Partner: International Rescue Committee
NOVE Onlus
December
Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development
IDP SME Support Project in partnership with NOVE Onlus
This project provides critical economic support to internally displaced (IDP) women and girls in Kabul and Nangarhar. The initiative first equips 50 women with essential business skills through vocational training, before providing start-up or recovery grants to the 20 most promising entrepreneurs to launch their own businesses. By combining skills development with direct financial support and mentorship, the project aims to create sustainable livelihoods and enhance the economic resilience of some of Afghanistan's most vulnerable women.
Funding Partner: NOVE Onlus| UN's Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF)
