The European Union announced that it has allocated €19.8 million to the Aga Khan Foundation for the implementation of a €22 million project in Afghanistan.
The three-year plan aims to empower the economy, create job opportunities and improve women's livelihoods.
"Millions of people in Afghanistan continue to fall into poverty and depend on humanitarian aid, and women are the most affected," EU Ambassador to Afghanistan Veronika Bošković Pohar said on Monday, December 16, while underscoring the deteriorating economic situation in the country.
"The project promotes inclusive economic growth and helps communities free themselves from dependence on foreign aid," Pohar added.
In addition to supporting women and vulnerable groups such as youth, internally displaced people and farmers affected by the poppy ban, the initiative also addresses the challenges of climate change and introduces climate-smart technologies to increase resilience, Pohar said.
Najmuddin Najam, Executive Director of the Aga Khan Foundation and Coordinator of the Aga Khan Development Network in Afghanistan, described the project as an important step in the development of international cooperation, saying, "This initiative strengthens the long-standing partnership between the EU and the Aga Khan Development Network, focusing on improving sustainable livelihoods and economic well-being, especially for women and youth."
"The project will play an important role in developing skills and restoring cultural and historical sites, with the aim of strengthening local economies, increasing agricultural production and mitigating the effects of climate change," he added.
The European Union said that during the implementation of the project, 34,200 families are expected to benefit directly and 292,544 people indirectly.
It is also said that 26,793 women will benefit directly and 146,272 will benefit indirectly from skills training, financial support, and new job opportunities.
The European Union has emphasised that all its humanitarian assistance and development projects in Afghanistan are implemented through credible partners and in accordance with the principles of impartiality and transparency. Pohar described the project as an example of the EU's enduring commitment to supporting Afghan communities and building a better future amid the challenges.
The EU has allocated €143 million for humanitarian aid and €146 million for basic needs and livelihoods in Afghanistan this year, EU Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas Niklasson had told the EU Parliament earlier. He stressed that no part of this aid reaches the Taliban.
Earlier, the European Commission's foreign affairs spokesperson said that the bloc's minimal presence in Kabul to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and monitor the human rights situation in Afghanistan does not mean recognition of the Taliban government.