Community Small Grants – Reza Karaan Okhowat (Afghanistan)

Deadline: 20-Sep-2026

The Community Small Grants – Reza Karaan Okhowat (RKO) program provides in-kind support for community-driven initiatives in Kunduz, Khost, and Bamyan provinces of Afghanistan. The program supports grassroots projects that promote dispute resolution, social cohesion, peacebuilding, inclusion, and sustainable community development. Implemented through an in-kind support model, the programme can provide up to 220,000 AFN per project. Rather than transferring cash directly to selected organizations, The Liaison Office (TLO) manages approved expenditures and procures the required goods, works, and services. The programme particularly encourages initiatives led by local communities and youth, as well as projects that empower women, youth, and other vulnerable or marginalized populations.

About the Reza Karaan Okhowat Program

The Reza Karaan Okhowat (RKO) initiative is designed to strengthen communities facing conflict, social challenges, and limited access to opportunities. The Community Small Grants component provides practical support to grassroots initiatives that can contribute to peaceful coexistence, reconciliation, social cohesion, and sustainable development. The programme places particular importance on locally driven solutions, community participation, and initiatives that have meaningful acceptance within the communities they serve. What Does the Community Small Grants Program Support? The programme supports a range of community-driven activities connected to its peacebuilding, social cohesion, inclusion, and sustainability objectives.

Priority areas include:

- Conflict resolution and mediation. - Peacebuilding and reconciliation. - Social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. - Cultural activities. - Educational activities. - Recreational activities. - Capacity strengthening of local civil society organizations. - Community-led initiatives. - Youth-led initiatives. - Sustainable agriculture. - Environmental conservation. - Access to justice. - Skills development. - Economic empowerment. - Women’s economic empowerment. Projects should demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed activities and the broader objectives of the RKO initiative. Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution A key focus of the programme is supporting communities to prevent and resolve disputes peacefully. Projects may address conflict through activities focused on mediation, dialogue, reconciliation, and community-level conflict resolution. Initiatives that strengthen local mechanisms for peaceful dispute resolution can help communities manage disagreements while building trust among different groups. Social Cohesion and Community Reconciliation The programme also supports activities that bring community members together and strengthen social relationships. Cultural, educational, and recreational initiatives can provide opportunities for people to interact, collaborate, and develop stronger community connections. Projects should demonstrate how their activities can contribute to social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. Support for Local Civil Society Organizations The RKO programme seeks to strengthen the capacity of local civil society organizations and community initiatives. Small, locally rooted organizations can play an important role in identifying community needs and developing practical solutions because they often have direct relationships with local residents. The programme therefore gives preference to organizations and initiatives with an established presence and acceptance within their communities. Youth-Led and Community-Led Initiatives The programme encourages community-led and youth-led projects. Youth groups and local initiatives can propose activities that respond directly to challenges affecting their communities, provided that the projects align with RKO objectives. Community participation and local ownership are important considerations when developing a proposal. Environmental Sustainability and Sustainable Agriculture Environmental sustainability is another area supported through the programme. Projects may include activities related to: - Sustainable agriculture. - Environmental conservation. - Community-based environmental initiatives. - Sustainable approaches to local development. Applicants should explain how proposed environmental activities can provide practical and lasting benefits to the communities involved. Empowering Women and Vulnerable Populations The programme emphasizes inclusion and the empowerment of marginalized and vulnerable populations. Projects can support vulnerable groups through activities related to: - Access to justice. - Skills training. - Economic empowerment. - Social inclusion. - Women’s economic empowerment. - Youth empowerment. Women’s economic empowerment activities, including vocational skills development, entrepreneurship, and small business development, are encouraged when they are appropriately connected to the project’s objectives. How Much Support Is Available? The Community Small Grants programme provides support of up to: - 220,000 AFN per project - Support is provided exclusively in kind - No direct cash transfers are made to grantees The in-kind model means that selected applicants do not receive the grant amount as unrestricted cash. Instead, TLO manages approved expenditures and procures the goods, works, and services required to implement the approved project. How Does the In-Kind Support Model Work? Under the programme’s in-kind support mechanism, TLO is responsible for managing expenditures associated with approved activities.

This means that:

- The approved project receives support up to the agreed value. - TLO manages the relevant expenditures. - TLO procures approved goods, works, and services. - No direct cash transfer is made to the selected organization. - Procurement and expenditure management are handled in accordance with the agreed project arrangements. Applicants should therefore develop their budgets in t