Afghan Women Economic Empowerment Through Leveraging the Private Sector

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) announces a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) for organizations to submit a statement of interest (SOI) to carry out a $1.5 million program to advance the economic empowerment of Afghan women in Afghanistan and other South and Central Asian countries. The proposed program would launch a platform through which businesses, non-profits, and international government leaders in the U.S. and countries around the world would be able to sustainably partner with Afghan women leaders and Afghan women-led private and non-profit organizations to co-create programs that advance Afghan women’s economic security and economic resilience, including by fostering women’s entrepreneurship, participation in agricultural value chains, participation in e-commerce and the digital economy, and women artisans’ connectivity with global markets. Priority will be given to organizations that provide cost-share and outline previous experience developing partnerships with the private sector. In addition to proposing activities to take place inside Afghanistan, proposed programs may include activities in support of Afghan women residing in other countries in the region in their scope. The proposed program should build connectivity or allow for connection with other programs that provide women’s mental health access, support women’s safety and other services critical to support Afghan women following the Taliban takeover. SCA invites organizations interested in potential funding to submit SOI applications outlining program concepts that reflect this goal.The submission of a Statement of Interest and Capacity (SOI) is the first step in a multi-phased, collaborative program development process. Applicants must first submit a concise statement of interest, up to four-pages, designed to clearly communicate the program idea and objectives. This is not a full proposal. The purpose of the SOI process is to allow