Call for Capacity Assessment of National NGOs and CSOs in Environmental Trainings (Afghanistan)

Deadline: 20-Sep-2026

The Environmental Protection Trainings and Development Organization (EPTDO) is inviting national NGOs and civil society organizations (CSOs) based in Kabul and Nangarhar, Afghanistan, to participate in a capacity assessment for potential selection into specialized environmental and climate change training programmes. The assessment is being conducted under the PACS project, funded by SIDA and implemented by EPTDO. The initiative seeks to strengthen civil society organizations by identifying their organizational strengths, climate commitments, and operational capacity needs and using the findings to design targeted training and capacity-building interventions. More than 200 organizations are expected to participate in the assessment. At least 30% of the organizations prioritized for participation are expected to be women-led NGOs or CSOs. From the organizations assessed and mapped, 45 highly qualified organizations will be shortlisted for specialized capacity-building training, including a dedicated track for women-led organizations.

About the PACS Capacity Assessment

The PACS project is designed to strengthen the capacity of civil society in Afghanistan, particularly organizations working in or connected to environmental sustainability and climate change resilience. Through the capacity assessment, EPTDO will examine participating NGOs and CSOs to understand their current organizational capabilities, environmental commitments, and operational needs. The assessment will help identify organizations that could benefit from specialized capacity-building programmes addressing environmental and climate-related priorities. Purpose of the Capacity Assessment The main purpose of the assessment is to develop a better understanding of the capacity and needs of national NGOs and CSOs in Kabul and Nangarhar.

The initiative aims to:

- Identify organizational strengths and existing capacities. - Assess organizations’ commitments to environmental sustainability and climate action. - Identify operational and institutional capacity gaps. - Determine areas where targeted training and support are needed. - Strengthen civil society participation in environmental and climate change initiatives. - Improve organizational resilience and capacity to respond to climate-related challenges. - Select qualified organizations for specialized capacity-building training. Who Is Eligible to Participate? The opportunity is intended for national NGOs and CSOs based in Kabul and Nangarhar provinces. Eligible organizations must meet the stated organizational and geographic requirements, including: - Being a national NGO or CSO. - Being established or registered between 2015 and 2025. - Maintaining a valid office presence in Kabul or Nangarhar. - Holding a current and valid registration certificate. - Providing the required organizational and supporting documentation. Organizations should ensure that their registration and office information is current and can be verified through the documents submitted with the capacity assessment. Focus on Women-Led Organizations The PACS capacity assessment includes a specific inclusion focus on women-led NGOs and CSOs. At least 30% of the organizations prioritized through the assessment are intended to be women-led entities. This approach is designed to ensure that women-led civil society organizations have meaningful opportunities to participate in environmental and climate change capacity-building programmes. Women-led organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are therefore encouraged to participate and clearly identify their leadership status in the assessment. How Many Organizations Will Be Assessed? The assessment is expected to target more than 200 organizations operating in Kabul and Nangarhar. The broader assessment and mapping exercise will help EPTDO understand the organizational landscape and identify NGOs and CSOs with relevant strengths, needs, and potential for further capacity development. How Many Organizations Will Be Selected for Training? Following the capacity assessment, 45 highly qualified organizations will be shortlisted for specialized capacity-building training programmes. Selection will be based on the information provided through the assessment and supporting documentation. A dedicated training track will also be available for women-led NGOs and CSOs, supporting the programme’s inclusion objective. Environmental and Climate Change Training The shortlisted organizations will be considered for specialized training focused on environmental sustainability and climate change resilience. The capacity-building component is intended to address organizational and operational needs identified through the assessment. Potential areas of development may include strengthening environmental commitments, organizational systems, climate-related capacities, and the ability of civil society organizations to contribute to environmental sustainability and climate resilience. The exact training content should be understood in relation to the needs identified through the capacity assessment process. What Documents Are Required? Interested organizations are required to complete the capacity assessment survey and submit it together with relevant supporting documents.

The requested documentation includes:

- Registration or licensing certificates. - Board list. - Staff list. - Management policies. - Human resources policies. - Finance policies. - Procurement policies. - Environmental policies. Organizations should ensure that the information provided in the survey is consistent with the supporting documents. Registration and Licensing Documents Applicants should provide their current registration or licensing certificates as evidence of their legal organizational status. Because eligibility requires organizations to have a current registration certificate, organizations should ensure that the submitted documentation is valid and up to date. Board and Staff