EU allocates €10 million to promote stability, resilience and economic opportunity
31 August 2026, Kabul, Afghanistan – The European Union (EU) has allocated €10 million to the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) to implement a €13.5 million initiative, with the remaining €3.5 million co-funded by AKF. The “Boosting Resilience, Inclusive Development, Growth and Economic Empowerment (BRIDGE)” initiative will strengthen the resilience and sustainable reintegration of displaced populations while promoting stability, social cohesion and economic growth across ten provinces in Afghanistan.
Over 36 months, the programme will directly benefit 83,197 people and indirectly 582,379 people, with an emphasis on youth, women, vulnerable host communities, returnees, and internally displaced persons. BRIDGE will integrate three key areas of inclusive development: i) climate resilience and agricultural livelihoods; ii) economic growth and employment; and iii) community resilience and sustainable reintegration.
On climate resilience, the initiative will directly benefit 35,900 people through climate-smart and regenerative agriculture. It will support productive agricultural assets, inputs, and technologies, and strengthen resilient agricultural value chains and the sustainable management of natural resources.
To promote economic growth, BRIDGE will directly reach 24,000 people through opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially women-led and returnee-led businesses. Improved access to finance and market linkages will boost economic resilience, support opportunities for youth, and reduce the socioeconomic drivers of irregular migration and displacement. The initiative will promote inclusive finance by expanding community-based savings groups (CBSGs) to improve savings and community-level access to finance, enhancing women’s engagement in economic activities.
The project will strengthen social cohesion and reintegration mechanisms, community engagement, and area-based coordination and community resilience partnerships, directly reaching 23,300 people.
"Today, we concluded an important agreement that will support the livelihoods of Afghan people and help address the root causes of migration and forced displacement. Through this action, we provide economic stabilisation and strengthen the resilience of Afghan communities, enabling them to build sustainable livelihoods and withstand future shocks. This collaboration reaffirms the European Union’s enduring commitment to the Afghan people, and we will continue to support them in building a more resilient and sustainable future said Eric Beaume, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Afghanistan.
“Building on the longstanding partnership between the EU and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Afghanistan, we are pleased to announce this new initiative, marking another important step in our collaboration in the country,” said Dr. Najmuddin Najm, Chief Executive Officer of AKF and AKDN Coordinator, Afghanistan. “This project reflects our shared commitment to supporting vulnerable communities in strengthening socioeconomic stability and creating sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities across Afghanistan. The AKF Afghanistan expresses its appreciation to the EU for its generous support and is honoured to contribute to this important effort, working alongside its sister agency AKCS to strengthen local economies, build resilient communities and advance sustainable recovery across Afghanistan.”