Initiative to Promote Afghan Civil Society II

Challenge

Afghanistan today – unlike a decade ago – has a visible and vocal civil society sector, a civil society legislative framework and a civil society service delivery infrastructure reaching every corner of the country. While the number of registered Afghan civil society organizations (CSOs) and informal civic groups has expanded dramatically in recent years, most citizens have little understanding of the role that CSOs play in the new democratic government. Additionally, the capacity and performance of the vast majority of CSOs has not evolved to the level to receive popular public support.

Promise

The Initiative to Promote Afghan Civil Society II (I-PACS II), was a three-year follow-on to our six-year I-PACS I program. Building a stronger civil society infrastructure enables Afghan citizens to more effectively participate in the political process, solve community problems and demand good governance from their leaders . To deliver a unique capacity building and service delivery model, the project developed strong Intermediary Service Organizations and Civil Society Support Centers, and,

• Provided consistent and long-term assistance to Afghan CSOs and civic groups
• Emphasized participation and leadership of Afghan women in the socio-economic sphere
• Provided training, grants, and technical assistance to build the capacity of our partners

Impact

• Awarded more than $3.9 million in small grants to 34 local partners in 2012 alone
• Assisted local partners in developing and submitting 14 amendments to Afghanistan’s NGO law in 2012, of which nine were accepted by the Ministry of Economy
• Organized partners to lead more than 160 community, regional and national dialogues, through which more than 16,000 people gathered to call for improved government services
• Resource Centers in 16 provinces provided technical assistance in project implementation and design, reporting, library skills, computer and Internet skills, and English. In 2011, these centers served approximately 3,000 people on nearly 8,000 visits.

Sustainable Development Goals Addressed

Partners

Funder: U.S. Agency for International Development
Collaborators: International Center for Not for Profit Law (ICNL); Development & Training Services Inc. (dTS)