Deadline: 12-May-2026
UN Women is inviting proposals from women-led and women-focused organisations to establish a Multi-Purpose Women’s Centre in Nangarhar.
The initiative aims to support crisis-affected women and girls through integrated services including psychosocial support, livelihoods training, literacy, and community engagement, with funding of up to AFN 11.5 million (~USD 180,000) for 10 months.
Programme Overview
This programme focuses on creating a safe, women-led, multi-service centre to address the urgent needs of vulnerable women and girls in eastern Afghanistan.
The selected organisation will establish and manage a one-stop hub delivering essential services that promote:
- Women’s empowerment
- Protection and wellbeing
- Economic independence
- Social inclusion
The initiative targets returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and vulnerable communities facing ongoing crises.
Key Objectives
Women’s Empowerment and Protection
- Provide safe spaces for women and girls
- Deliver psychosocial support and counselling
- Strengthen protection services
Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion
- Offer skills training such as:
- Tailoring
- Food processing
- Poultry farming
- Improve access to income-generating opportunities
Education and Capacity Building
- Promote literacy and numeracy skills
- Support life skills and awareness programmes
Health, Hygiene, and Wellbeing
- Deliver sessions on:
- Health and nutrition
- Hygiene practices
- Improve overall wellbeing
Community Engagement and Social Cohesion
- Engage:
- Promote acceptance and participation of women
Key Features of the Women’s Centre
The centre will function as a multi-purpose service hub, offering:
- Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)
- Livelihood and vocational training
- Literacy and education programmes
- Health and hygiene awareness
- Child-friendly spaces for accompanying children
Outreach Services
- Mobile outreach for remote or restricted communities
- Satellite services to reach women facing mobility or social barriers
Key Concepts Explained
What is a Multi-Purpose Women’s Centre?
A centralised service hub that provides multiple support services in one location, ensuring:
- Easy access
- Integrated service delivery
- Holistic support for women and children
Why Integrated Services Matter
Combining services like counselling, training, and education:
- Improves efficiency and accessibility
- Addresses multiple needs simultaneously
- Leads to better long-term outcomes
What is Psychosocial Support?
Support that addresses both:
- Psychological wellbeing (mental health)
- Social needs (relationships, community support)
Funding Details
- Maximum budget: AFN 11,500,000 (~USD 180,000)
- Project duration: 10 months
- Target beneficiaries: At least 550 women and children
Who is Eligible?
Eligible Applicants
- Women-led civil society organisations
- Women-focused NGOs and community-based organisations
Key Requirements
- Experience in:
- Gender-based programming
- Community engagement
- Service delivery in humanitarian settings
- Capacity to manage integrated, multi-sectoral projects
How to Apply / What to Do
Step 1: Develop a Project Proposal
- Define:
- Centre design and services
- Target beneficiaries
- Implementation plan
Step 2: Plan Service Delivery
- Include:
- Psychosocial support
- Livelihood training
- Literacy and health programmes
Step 3: Design Outreach Strategy
- Ensure inclusion of:
- Mobile outreach
- Community engagement mechanisms
Step 4: Build Monitoring Framework
- Track:
- Service delivery
- Beneficiary satisfaction
- Impact on income and wellbeing
Step 5: Submit Proposal
- Include:
- Organisational experience
- Technical approach
- Budget and timeline
Expected Results
- Establishment of a fully functional women-led centre
- Delivery of integrated services to 550+ beneficiaries
- Improved:
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Economic opportunities
- Social inclusion
- Increased community acceptance and engagement
Why This Programme Matters
- Addresses urgent needs in crisis-affected regions
- Empowers women through skills, support, and safe spaces
- Strengthens community resilience and cohesion
- Promotes gender equality and inclusion
- Improves access to essential services in underserved areas
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Proposals lacking integrated service design
- Weak community engagement strategy
- عدم inclusion of outreach for hard-to-reach populations
- Missing monitoring and evaluation framework
- Overlooking child-friendly service components
Tips for a Strong Application
- Focus on holistic, integrated service delivery
- Demonstrate strong community trust and presence
- Include clear impact measurement indicators
- Ensure inclusive access for vulnerable groups
- Highlight experience in humanitarian and gender-focused programmes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the main goal of this initiative?
To establish a multi-purpose women’s centre supporting vulnerable women and girls in Nangarhar.
2. How much funding is available?
Up to AFN 11,500,000 (approximately USD 180,000).
3. What is the project duration?
The project will run for 10 months.
4. Who can apply?
Women-led and women-focused civil society organisations.
5. What services must the centre provide?
Psychosocial support, livelihoods training, literacy education, health awareness, and child-friendly services.
6. How many beneficiaries are expected?
At least 550 women and children.
7. Are outreach activities required?
Yes, including mobile and community-based outreach to reach vulnerable groups.
Conclusion
This UN Women initiative provides a critical opportunity to deliver integrated, life-changing support to women and girls in Nangarhar. By combining protection, livelihoods, education, and community engagement, the programme aims to create sustainable impact in a challenging humanitarian context.
Organisations with strong local experience and a commitment to gender equality can play a vital role in building resilient, empowered communities through this initiative.
For more information, visit UN Women.