STRIVE Afghanistan is one of four project/country initiatives that seek to reduce the vulnerability of children and youth through economic strengthening. Learn more about the project in
	Liberia
	Mozambique
	Philippines

Afghanistan Secure Futures Project

Implementing Partners: Academy for Educational Development, Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)

Funding Period: September 2008 - August 2012

Purpose: Improve the safety, quality, and availability of informal apprenticeships for Afghani youth, to support the development of the workforce and contribute to economic growth in Afghanistan

Objectives:

• Link small businesses to larger businesses, business associations, and financial services to improve the scope and quality of their work
  • Help small and micro-businesses in the Afghan construction industry access financial services, training, and information
  • Work with business owners to
    • increase their appreciation of workplace safety measures
    • educate them on the value of helping school-age apprentices stay in school while working
• Increase educational opportunities for apprentices by assisting local organizations in providing supplemental education for them

Photo: AED.

In Afghanistan, USAID is working with small construction businesses (carpentry, metalworking, masonry, electrical, plumbing) to assist them in expanding their businesses. The project links smaller organizations with larger ones and assists the smaller organizations in obtaining loans to expand their businesses and obtaining subcontracts for work with larger, better-established businesses. The project is also investigating possible linkages with larger international contractors as potential exporters of Afghan-produced construction materials. To improve safety in the workplace, the project has training its staff to use the MEDA workshop safety assessment toolkit. Staff members are adapting the toolkit for local use in Afghanistan.