The Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), through funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is improving the socio-economic status of more than one million people in the provinces of Badakhshan and Takhar through the Enhancing Licit Livelihoods in Northern Afghanistan (ELLONA) program.

In cooperation with the Aga Khan Development Network Afghanistan, AKFC supports livelihoods programs focused on agriculture-based rural development, income-generation and governance. AKFC is drawing upon more than 20 years of experience with integrated rural support programs in neighbouring Pakistan and Tajikistan.

With a view towards long-term sustainability, the program aims to strengthen local institutions at multiple levels, from village organizations to community clusters to government departments. It will support private institutions that will drive economic and social development over the long term. To promote further economic development, the program fosters cross-border trade and co-operation with Tajikistan.

The Enhancing Licit Livelihoods in Northern Afghanistan (ELLONA) program is:

• Building on the Government of Afghanistan’s National Solidarity Programme, by strengthening local government, civil society organizations and democratic structures to undertake development initiatives at the sub-national level.
• Increasing and diversifying agricultural production through the improved practice and market-oriented development of livestock, field crops, horticulture, watersheds and rangeland.
• Catalyzing business development through targeted services and vocational training.
• Sharing expertise and learning nationally with both government and civil society organizations, with a particular emphasis on sharing experience with stakeholders in Kandahar.

A group of 18 women in Ishkashim District have formed a women’s savings group. Members make small but regular deposits to an account, or save for household expenses, and borrow money at low interest rates to invest in small enterprises.

© Sandra Calligaro/AKFC

Heavy rainfall and landslides destroyed a four-kilometre stretch of a vital water supply system in the district of Jurm, cutting off safe drinking water to hundreds of communities. Drawing on skills developed under ELLONA, local Community Development Councils worked together to fix the problem themselves. Volunteers were selected from affected communities to dig new trenches and lay new pipes to get the water running quickly.

© Sandra Calligaro/AKFC

In the district of Jurm, land that used to be covered with poppies for opium production has been transformed, thanks to training focusing on improved horticulture practices. This man now grows fruit and nut tree saplings to supply the burgeoning horticultural industry.

© Sandra Calligaro/AKFC

The Enhancing Licit Livelihoods in Northern Afghanistan (ELLONA) program has achieved the following significant results to date:

• It has formed and strengthened the full range of qualities necessary for community development institutions to function successfully at multiple levels in areas including leadership, conflict resolution, common property management and gender sensitization. As a result, almost 525 village level Community Development Councils (CDCs) have undertaken development activities, such as primary school enrolment campaigns that contributed to some 10,000 children being enrolled in schools, and other local development initiatives.
• More than 280 Community-Based Savings Groups, including 170 all-female groups, are targeting vulnerable segments of society such as women who lack access to savings or micro-credit. The member’s capacity in accounting, bookkeeping and literacy has been strengthened.
• To improve livelihoods and the management of natural resources, the program has trained more than 1,000 people in improved horticulture, vegetable production and agricultural practices. The program has supported seven Horticulture Development Centres, more than 90 commercial orchards, and five mother stock and associated stock nurseries. It has also supported more than 60 communities in rangeland, watershed and forestry development resulting in 88.2 hectares of denuded and degraded land being treated. Almost 540,000 livestock have been vaccinated and nearly 427,000 livestock have been treated through Livestock Development Centres and para-vets supported by ELLONA.

• Aga Khan Development Network Afghanistan
• Aga Khan Foundation Canada