The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) has signed a €12m partnership agreement with the European Union in Afghanistan, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).reported on July 17.

This will support vulnerable people to meet their basic needs and build resilience by safeguarding vulnerable livelihoods and improving economic opportunities.

Support includes assistance to ensure sustainable food production, climate-smart agriculture and resilient infrastructure, community-based employment, income-generation and savings opportunities, and market-oriented business development.  The work will directly benefit over 70,000 individuals (of which 62 percent are women) and close to 500,000 household members across seven provinces in rural, underserved areas.

“This project will support efforts to safeguard the livelihoods of some of the most marginalized communities in Afghanistan and build their resilience to external shocks and stressors. The funding will directly contribute to improved food and income security for vulnerable households, and promote their self-reliance”, said Dir. Najmuddin Najm, CEO of AKF Afghanistan.

AKF is partnering with the Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp and Rehabilitation Association and Agriculture Development for Afghanistan (RAADA) to strengthen the impact of this project.