Counterpart provides financial assistance to CSOs giving them the opportunity to implement development and advocacy interventions in Afghanistan, while building their organizational capacity.

Grants Management Procedures

Counterpart has established far-reaching mechanisms for announcing the availability of grants to Afghan CSOs through the issuance of Requests for Applications (RFAs). RFAs are distributed in English, Dari and Pashto with clear requirements and guidelines for successful proposals. To date, Counterpart has issued 12 RFAs and has received more than 680 proposals from Afghan CSOs. The Grants Department instituted transparent proposal assessment procedures through a Proposal Review Committee that includes key management staff and heads of various program departments, as well as a representative from USAID. The proposals must meet comprehensive assessment criteria that measure the project’s feasibility, effectiveness, gender equity and impact on the targeted communities. Throughout the proposal review process, the Grants Department answers questions and provides technical assistance to the CSOs who have submitted proposals.

Institutional Support Grants

Institutional Support Grants aim to build I-PACS partner organizations’ capacity and ability to function as sustainable civil society support organizations. Counterpart provides Institutional Support Grants to its ISOs and CSSCs. During Phase I, $2.17 million in funding was disbursed to the 10 partners.

Community Development Grants

Community Development Grants are disbursed for community driven development initiatives that enhance the quality of life of communities throughout Afghanistan. To date, a total of 26 grants, valued at $2.22 million, have been disbursed to Afghan CSOs, including some I-PACS partners.

 Advocacy Grants

Advocacy Grants are disbursed for advocacy campaigns that use research, education and awareness raising techniques to increase community participation in decision making at local and national levels. During Phase I, Counterpart distributed $1.47 million in advocacy funding for 29 advocacy projects implemented by Afghan CSOs, including some I-PACS partners.

Human Rights Grants

Human Rights Grants will be disbursed for initiatives which further the protection and promotion of human rights in the country.  These grants will be given through RFAs open to all Afghan CSOs, and through dedicated RFAs issued for I-PACS partner and target CSOs who will receive small grants through re-granting from our partner ISOs and CSSCs.

Special Solicitation Grants

Special Solicitation Grants are allocated for projects that address a particular problem or priority within a community. To date a total of $229,266 has been disbursed for 12 projects, 11 of which addressed needs in areas including literacy, conflict resolution training and community development. The 12^th Special Solicitation Grant was given as an in-kind donation to the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) in the form of 40,000 hard cover volumes of the Afghan Constitution, along with 40,000 illustrative posters to raise awareness about the Afghan Constitution. The MRRD is distributing the books and posters to 38,000 villages and to urban centers, ministries and other government offices in Afghanistan.

Re-Granting

Counterpart has started re-granting through local I-PACS partner organizations. During Phase I, Counterpart awarded nine sub-grants to I-PACS CSOs through a block grant provided to I-PACS ISO our re-granting partner. Further, Counterpart also began work with two other partners to build their financial capacity to implement re-granting programs.