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Strengthening Local Leadership and Capacity for Humanitarian and Development Initiatives (Afghanistan)

Deadline: 05-Mar-2026

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is inviting applications from local Afghan organizations to strengthen leadership, governance, and operational capacity through the NAMU Program. The initiative focuses on capacity building, mentorship, institutional support, equitable partnerships, and long-term community resilience, aiming to empower Afghan organizations to design and sustain effective humanitarian and development initiatives.

Program Overview

The NAMU Program supports Afghan organizations to build leadership, operational capacity, and institutional resilience. By combining mentorship, technical guidance, and partnership-building, the program ensures that initiatives are locally led, sustainable, and responsive to Afghan communities’ needs.

Key Focus Areas

  1. Capacity Strengthening and Mentorship

    • Assess organizational needs and provide tailored support.

    • Enhance leadership, governance, accountability, and operational readiness.

    • Offer mentorship to key personnel to strengthen management skills.

  2. Equitable Partnerships and Knowledge Sharing

    • Facilitate mutual learning and collaboration with national and international partners.

    • Enable local organizations to design, lead, and sustain humanitarian and development programs.

    • Encourage best practices and locally relevant strategies in program implementation.

  3. Emergency Response, Recovery, and Resilience

    • Support initiatives addressing emergency response needs.

    • Strengthen early recovery programs for communities affected by crises.

    • Promote long-term resilience through sustainable local capacity and governance systems.

Why It Matters

Afghanistan’s communities face complex humanitarian and development challenges. By investing in local organizational capacity, NAMU ensures that interventions are:

  • Community-driven and contextually relevant

  • Sustainable and capable of long-term impact

  • Aligned with Afghan development priorities and local governance structures

Who is Eligible?

Eligible organizations must meet the following criteria:

  • Preferably registered in Afghanistan, though reference letters from recognized INGOs or UN agencies are accepted.

  • Minimum of one year operational experience.

  • Maintain an active bank account under the legal name of the organization.

  • Comply with Afghan tax regulations via a valid clearance certificate or exemption letter.

  • Demonstrated experience in partnerships with local, national, or international entities.

  • Key personnel must have relevant qualifications and a commitment to capacity strengthening.

  • Experience in WVI’s core sectors (e.g., humanitarian aid, community development) is desirable but not mandatory.

How to Apply

  1. Prepare Organizational Documentation:

    • Registration proof or reference letters from INGOs/UN agencies.

    • Bank account details and tax compliance documents.

    • Evidence of operational history (at least one year).

  2. Develop Application Materials:

    • Describe current organizational capacity and leadership structure.

    • Identify areas for capacity strengthening and anticipated outcomes.

    • Highlight previous partnerships and community impact.

  3. Submit Application:

    • Follow ILO/NAMU submission guidelines for deadlines and formats.

    • Ensure all supporting documentation is complete and verifiable.

  4. Selection and Implementation:

    • Organizations will be evaluated based on operational readiness, governance, leadership potential, and partnership capability.

    • Selected organizations will receive tailored support, mentorship, and technical guidance for sustainable program management.

Tips for a Strong Application

  • Provide clear evidence of organizational experience and impact.

  • Highlight commitment to local leadership and sustainability.

  • Include examples of previous partnerships or collaborations.

  • Demonstrate the capacity and readiness to manage projects effectively.

  • Ensure all legal and financial documents are accurate, up-to-date, and verifiable.

FAQs

1. Do organizations need to be registered in Afghanistan?
Preferably yes, but organizations can submit reference letters from recognized INGOs or UN agencies if not registered.

2. What is the minimum operational experience required?
Organizations must have at least one year of operational experience.

3. Are international partnerships required?
No, but experience partnering with local, national, or international entities is preferred.

4. Can organizations outside Afghanistan apply?
Applications are focused on Afghan-based organizations, but documentation from recognized agencies may support eligibility.

5. What sectors are prioritized?
While WVI core sector experience is desirable, the program primarily evaluates capacity, leadership, and partnership potential.

6. Is financial compliance mandatory?
Yes, organizations must provide bank account information and comply with Afghan tax regulations.

7. What support will selected organizations receive?
Tailored mentorship, capacity building, institutional guidance, and access to knowledge-sharing platforms for sustainable local impact.

Conclusion

The ILO NAMU Program strengthens Afghan organizations’ leadership, operational capacity, and governance, empowering them to lead sustainable development and humanitarian initiatives. By fostering locally driven, resilient programs, NAMU promotes long-term community well-being and strengthens the role of Afghan organizations in shaping their own futures.

For more information, visit ACBAR.