House #1, Subahan Plaza, District 5, Kabul, Afghanistan Established 1989 · 35+ Years of Service
(+93) 782 123 801 info@apwo-ngo.org www.apwo-ngo.org
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Non-Governmental · Non-Political · Non-Profit

Afghan Public Welfare
Organization

Established 1989 · Kabul, Afghanistan

With over 35 years of experience, APWO delivers transformative humanitarian and development programs across 17 provinces of Afghanistan — empowering communities, protecting the vulnerable, and building a resilient, prosperous future for all.

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35+
Years of Operation
17
Provinces Reached
350K+
Beneficiaries Served
400+
Projects Completed
$30M+
Budget Managed
APWO Logo
APWO Field Operations
35+
Years of Impact
About APWO

Transforming Lives Across Afghanistan Since 1989


Established in 1989, the Afghan Public Welfare Organization (APWO) is a distinguished non-governmental, non-political, and non-profit entity devoted to transforming lives and promoting sustainable development across Afghanistan. Over the past three and a half decades, APWO has grown from a community-based initiative into a nationally recognized organization.

Anchored in a profound belief in the resilience and potential of the Afghan people, APWO implements wide-ranging initiatives designed to uplift marginalized communities, deliver critical humanitarian aid, and advance peace and prosperity across 17 provinces.

APWO's impact is reinforced by enduring partnerships with internationally renowned organizations, including UN agencies such as UNHCR, WFP, FAO, UNOPS, and UNICEF, as well as international NGOs including JVC, Peace Winds Japan, AAR Japan, AWEC, and Search for Common Ground (SFCG).

Non-Governmental Non-Political UN Partnered Gender Inclusive Community-Led Accountable
Organization Details

General Information

Full Name & Acronym
Afghan Public Welfare Organization (APWO)
Registration
Ministry of Economy — Reg. No. 7 (25/08/2005)
UNOCA — Reg. No. 3.1/464 (5/27/1991)
Date of Establishment
1989 — Over 35 years of uninterrupted service
Funding Sources
UN Agencies, USAID (via UNOPS), CARE, PUI, IRC, World Bank, Private Sector
Geographical Coverage
Kabul, Wardak, Ghazni, Paktya, Nangarhar, Jawzjan, Kandahar, Logar, Khost, Laghman, Zabul, Badghis, Balkh, Baghlan, Kunar, Helmand, Uruzgan — 17+ Provinces
Professional Memberships
Afghan NGOs Coordination Bureau (ANCB)
Civil Society Joint Working Group (CS-JWG)
Our Foundation

Vision, Mission & Mandate

Our Vision

A resilient Afghanistan where every individual has equitable access to essential services, education, and economic opportunities, thriving in inclusive and sustainable communities. By championing inclusivity, equity, and environmental stewardship, APWO aspires to be a catalyst for lasting change and a beacon of hope for the nation's future.

Our Mission

APWO is committed to uplifting the lives of Afghanistan's most marginalized communities. Through collaborative partnerships and innovative solutions, we deliver immediate humanitarian relief in times of crisis while empowering men and women to thrive through sustainable development initiatives. Guided by compassion, we foster resilience, dignity, and hope for all.

Our Mandate

To uplift Afghanistan's most vulnerable communities, with particular emphasis on empowering women and girls. Providing timely humanitarian aid, delivering emergency relief, implementing long-term development projects, advocating for gender equality, and building collaborative community-centered partnerships for a more equitable Afghanistan.

Strategic Goals

Our Strategic Objectives

APWO's strategic objectives guide the organization's interventions and programmatic approach across all sectors of operation.

01
🤝

Humanitarian Assistance & Protection

Provide timely humanitarian aid and protection to vulnerable populations affected by conflict, displacement, or natural disasters, ensuring their safety, dignity, and well-being through coordinated emergency response and recovery programs.

02
🌱

Community Empowerment & Development

Empower communities through participatory development approaches, fostering local ownership and leadership in addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges while promoting sustainable and inclusive development outcomes.

03
💼

Livelihood Enhancement

Promote sustainable livelihoods by creating economic opportunities, providing entrepreneurship training, and facilitating access to productive resources, enabling communities to achieve self-reliance and long-term resilience.

04
📚

Education & Skills Development

Enhance access to quality education and vocational training, empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed for personal growth, professional development, and meaningful contribution to their communities.

05
♀️

Gender Equality & Women's Empowerment

Promote gender equality by ensuring women and girls have equal access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and decision-making processes, fostering their full and active participation in all aspects of community life.

06
🏥

Health & Nutrition

Improve access to quality healthcare and nutrition services, particularly for women, children, and underserved populations in remote areas, contributing to the reduction of preventable diseases and malnutrition.

07
🌍

Environmental Sustainability & Climate Resilience

Integrate environmental sustainability principles across all programs, promoting climate-smart practices, natural resource management, and community-based disaster risk reduction to build resilient communities.

Our Principles

GUARDIAN Core Values

At APWO, our core values serve as the foundation of our organization, guiding our actions, decisions, and interactions with unwavering integrity and compassion.

G
Guidance
Providing direction and support to those in need, offering guidance on their journey toward positive change and self-reliance.
U
Unity
Fostering collaboration and cooperation among diverse communities, believing collective action achieves common goals.
A
Accountability
Taking full responsibility for our actions and decisions, ensuring transparency, honesty, and integrity in all our endeavors.
R
Respect
Treating every individual with dignity and respect, valuing their inherent worth regardless of background, gender, or ethnicity.
D
Dignity
Upholding the dignity of every individual, recognizing their intrinsic value and honoring their rights and autonomy.
I
Integrity
Acting honestly and ethically with moral courage, upholding the highest standards of transparency and professional conduct.
A
Altruism
Acting selflessly for the benefit of others, prioritizing the needs of vulnerable communities above all else.
N
Nobility
Demonstrating honor, virtue, and excellence in everything we do, inspiring others through our example and leadership.
Program Areas

Sectors of Intervention

APWO implements programs across seven interconnected sectors, each guided by specific strategic objectives and evidence-based approaches.

🌾 Agriculture
👩 Women's Empowerment
🏥 Health
📚 Education
💧 WASH
🛡️ Protection
🍽️ Food Security
Agriculture & Rural Development Agriculture & Rural Development

Agriculture & Rural Development

Afghanistan's economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which remains the primary source of livelihood for the majority of the rural population. APWO addresses challenges through comprehensive agriculture and rural development programming targeting unemployed men, women, and youth.

Key Activities
  • Establish self-help and income-generating community-based organizations (CBOs)
  • Business training and advisory services for enterprises and value chain development
  • Vocational skills training especially for women and youth
  • Organize farmers into cooperatives and livestock associations
  • Supply improved seeds, fertilizers, and modern tools and machinery
  • Rehabilitate irrigation infrastructure for improved water management
  • Value chain development and direct market linkages
Women's Empowerment Women's Empowerment

Women's Empowerment

APWO is firmly committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls across all sectors. Recognizing disproportionate barriers, APWO implements targeted initiatives to address these inequalities and integrates gender mainstreaming across all programs.

Key Activities
  • Formal and non-formal education, literacy programs, and vocational training
  • Business skills training, micro-credit access, and self-help groups
  • GBV awareness campaigns, community dialogues, and referral pathways
  • Leadership opportunities and community decision-making participation
  • Challenging discriminatory practices with community leaders and institutions
Health Services Health & Nutrition

Health

Afghanistan faces critical challenges in health service delivery. Geographic isolation, shortage of trained professionals, and instability have constrained access to quality healthcare. APWO expands health services to hard-to-reach areas through innovative community-based interventions.

Key Activities
  • Establish and operate Mobile Health Teams (MHTs) and Sub-Health Centers
  • Community-based Health Shuras (health committees) in remote areas
  • Training on disease prevention, gender sensitivity, and human rights
  • Referral linkages between Health Shuras and provincial-level actors
  • Maternal and child health: prenatal/postnatal care, immunization
  • Nutrition interventions targeting the most vulnerable populations
Education Programs Education

Education

Millions of children, particularly girls, remain out of school due to insecurity, poverty, and cultural barriers. APWO addresses education challenges through formal support and non-formal programming, targeting children and adult learners equally.

Key Activities
  • Accelerated learning programs for out-of-school children
  • Literacy courses for illiterate adults (men and women)
  • Establish Community Education Committees (CECs) and SMCs
  • Teacher training and in-service professional development
  • School management capacity strengthening
  • Advocacy for national education policy implementation
WASH Programs WASH

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)

Diarrheal diseases remain a leading cause of death among children under five, largely due to inadequate access to safe water and sanitation. APWO works toward Open Defecation Free communities and sustainable water infrastructure across Afghanistan.

Key Activities
  • Community mobilization for hygiene awareness and ODF status
  • Solar-powered and gravity-fed piped drinking water systems
  • Emergency WASH services during natural disasters and conflicts
  • Handwashing promotion campaigns and school-based WASH
  • Community-based WASH Committees for long-term sustainability
Protection Programs Protection

Protection

Prolonged conflict, displacement crises, and deep-rooted societal challenges create significant protection concerns for women, children, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities. APWO implements comprehensive protection programming addressing root causes of vulnerability.

Key Activities
  • Awareness campaigns on human rights and child protection
  • Community dialogue sessions with elders on inclusion
  • Inclusion in community peace shuras and decision-making
  • Peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and mediation training
  • Community-based GBV identification and referral mechanisms
  • Psychosocial support and social cohesion initiatives
Food Security & Nutrition Food Security & Nutrition

Food Security & Nutrition

Afghanistan faces chronic food insecurity and high malnutrition rates, exacerbated by natural disasters, ongoing conflict, poverty, and climate change. APWO addresses these challenges through both emergency response and long-term sustainable programming.

Key Activities
  • Emergency food distribution for disaster-affected families
  • Seeds, tools, and agricultural inputs distribution
  • Cash and voucher assistance programs
  • Livelihood protection and restoration interventions
  • Community-based food and nutrition awareness programs
  • Climate-smart agriculture for drought and flood resilience
Track Record

Key Achievements & Impact

🏆
35+
Years of Operation
🗺️
17+
Provinces Covered
👥
350K+
Beneficiaries Reached
📋
400+
Projects Completed
💰
$30M+
Total Budget Managed
🌐
7
Core Intervention Sectors
Capacity

Organizational Strengths & Capacity

APWO's ability to deliver impactful, high-quality programs is underpinned by the following organizational strengths and systems.

Qualified & Experienced Staff

APWO maintains a team of qualified professionals across all programmatic and operational functions, with expertise in humanitarian response, development programming, and project management.

Comprehensive Policies & Procedures

The organization operates under a robust framework of internal policies and SOPs covering human resources, finance, procurement, safeguarding, and program management.

Strong Communication & Coordination

Effective internal communication channels and external coordination mechanisms, including regular participation in humanitarian cluster meetings and inter-agency forums.

Internal Audit Function

Regular internal audits ensure compliance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and financial regulations, enhancing accountability and transparency.

MEAL System

A dedicated Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning system tracks program progress, measures impact, ensures accountability to beneficiaries, and captures lessons learned.

Community Access & Acceptance

With over 35 years of presence, APWO has cultivated deep relationships with local communities, authorities, and stakeholders across 17 provinces, ensuring strong community access and trust.

Financial Management Systems

Established financial management systems ensure responsible stewardship of donor funds, accurate financial reporting, and compliance with applicable regulations and standards.

Information Management (MIS)

APWO employs information management systems for program planning, data collection, beneficiary tracking, and performance monitoring, supporting evidence-based decision-making.

Multi-Sectoral Programming

APWO's ability to implement programs across seven interconnected sectors enables integrated, holistic responses addressing the complex and interrelated needs of Afghan communities.

Collaboration

Current Donors & Partners

APWO has built enduring partnerships rooted in shared humanitarian values with a diverse range of international organizations and donors.

UNICEF UNHCR WFP IRC UNDP FAO UNOPS Peace Winds Japan Search for Common Ground AWEC JVC Japan AAR Japan CARE International World Bank
Coordination

Cluster Memberships

Coordination BodyRole
Food Security & Agriculture Cluster (FSAC)Member
WASH ClusterMember
Education ClusterMember
Health and Nutrition ClustersMember
Emergency Shelter / NFI ClusterMember
Protection ClusterMember
Humanitarian Access Group (HAG)Participant
Regional Humanitarian Team (RHT)Participant
Afghan NGOs Coordination Bureau (ANCB)Member
Civil Society Joint Working Group (CS-JWG)Member
Stewardship

Financial Management & Control

APWO is committed to responsible financial stewardship and maintains robust cost management and control mechanisms at both the organizational and individual project levels.

Financial Management Practices

Budget Management

Detailed project budgets developed in compliance with donor requirements and organizational policies, with regular monitoring of expenditure against approved budgets.

Monthly Financial Controls

The management team conducts monthly financial reviews, including budget variance analysis, to ensure expenditures remain within approved limits and aligned with program objectives.

Internal Audit

Regular internal audits conducted to verify compliance with financial policies, donor regulations, and applicable laws, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring accountability.

External Audit

APWO's financial statements are subject to independent external audits as required by donors and regulatory authorities.

Project Level Controls

Regular Monitoring

Systematic monitoring of all projects is conducted to track progress, identify challenges, and ensure timely corrective action.

Monthly Reporting

Comprehensive monthly progress and financial reports prepared for each project, providing management and donors with up-to-date information on implementation status and financial performance.

Contract Administration

Effective contract administration and follow-up procedures ensure all contractual obligations are met, deliverables are achieved, and resources are utilized efficiently.

Procurement Management

APWO follows transparent and competitive procurement procedures in compliance with organizational policies and donor requirements, ensuring value for money and fairness.

Commitments

Accountability Framework

APWO commits to the following principles of accountability and has put mechanisms in place to operationalize each one — with particular emphasis on accountability to women, girls, and excluded communities.

01

Transparency

Honestly and openly sharing key information about performance, programs, and finances with all stakeholders in accessible and timely ways.

02

Feedback & Response

Maintaining a Complaints and Feedback Mechanism (CFM) that enables community members to raise concerns and file complaints safely and confidentially.

03

Participation

Working in genuine partnership, integrating the voices of those affected by our decisions in program design, implementation, and evaluation.

04

Diversity & Inclusion

Valuing, respecting, and encouraging diversity. Programs designed sensitively for all community members regardless of gender, ethnicity, or disability.

05

Impact

Achieving measurable impact on poverty, vulnerability, and social injustice. All programs designed with clear, measurable outcomes and rigorous M&E.

06

Partnership

Working in mutually beneficial and accountable relationships with a diverse range of partners and allies, based on mutual respect and transparency.

07

Knowledge & Learning

Capturing, using, and sharing organizational knowledge, learning from both good practices and mistakes through after-action reviews and lessons-learned exercises.

08

Safeguarding (PSEA)

Zero-tolerance policy toward sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. Comprehensive Code of Conduct applicable to all staff, volunteers, and associated personnel.

09

Climate Smart

Reducing APWO's direct and indirect carbon footprint, integrating environmental sustainability principles across operations and programs for long-term resilience.

Get In Touch

Contact APWO

We welcome partnerships, donor inquiries, and collaboration opportunities. Our team is ready to provide information about our programs, implementation capacity, and geographic reach across Afghanistan.

Main Office
House #1, Subahan Plaza, 40th Meter Street,
Khushal Khan Mena, District 5, Kabul, Afghanistan
Registration
MoE Reg. No. 7 (25/08/2005) · UNOCA Reg. No. 3.1/464 (5/27/1991)

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