Governance and State Effectiveness
Afghanistan NGO/CSO Capacity Support Project
Our Goal
Prior to the ITA takeover, the legal foundation for civil society was enshrined in the 2004 Constitution of Afghanistan, giving Afghan citizens the right to form associations and independent NGOs and pursue shared public interest objectives. From 2002 to 2021, NGOs played a significant role in the delivery of humanitarian and development projects. With the 2021 political crisis, there has been great uncertainty about the legal and regulatory environment for NGOs and civil society organizations (CSOs). NGOs and CSOs face critical operational challenges, including a loss of skilled aid workers, significant decline in funding sources, and disrupted activity. The World Bank recognizes that the resource and capacity constraints of NGOs/CSOs need to be urgently addressed, particularly as the World Bank and other ARTF partners rely on NGOs for service delivery and to achieve development goals. The World Bank’s support, therefore, aims to enhance the capacity of select registered national and local NGOs and CSOs to improve their performance and effectiveness.
How We Deliver
The support is being delivered through three components: (a) enhancing capacities, sustaining operations, and strengthening cooperation of select NGOs and CSOs; (b) provision of operational support sub-grants to select NGOs and CSOs; and (c) development and coordination of an NGO platform.
Enhancing capacities, sustaining operations, and strengthening cooperation of select NGOs and CSOs includes the mapping of local and national NGOs and CSOs that remain functional in the country post- August 2021; a rapid capacity gap analysis; preparation of standardized training modules in 10 core areas of NGO service delivery; and the training of personnel in 400 selected NGOs and CSOs, through classroom-styled and on-the-job mentoring sessions.
Provision of operational support sub-grants to select NGOs and CSOs involves providing low value grants to a subset of 200 NGOs to fill critical funding gaps, respond to critical needs of the population, and deliver basic services. The support prioritizes NGOs that work in the sectors of health, education, livelihoods, and agriculture, with a focus on women-led or women-focused organizations.
Development and coordination of an NGO platform involves setting up a platform for coordination, collaboration, and advocacy across NGOs and CSOs in the country, with a special focus on inclusion of local or grassroots national organizations. This component entails organizing coordination meetings at central and regional levels, hosting advocacy events on both national and international platforms, and maintaining a database containing NGO and CSO memberships.