Introduction

 The purpose of this document is to clarify the activities and services ACBAR is suppose to deliver to its members. Each unit provides its own range of services. The various cross cutting issues which require the involvement of several units have been listed at the end of the SoS. ACBAR will only provide the services listed bellow. It is asked to all members to endorsed this document for the sake of clarity and mutual understanding between ACBAR and the members.

Part I / Information / Coordination facilitation / Communication 

 There are two clearly defined groups who need information from ACBAR: its members and external stakeholders such as donors, the media and government.  Serving the needs of these two groups is a core ACBAR activity, and though their needs vary, there is some overlap between what each group needs.

Generating data and analysis on NGOs in Afghanistan 

Donors and other stakeholders require information on NGOs working in the country, whether to use in decision-making or to understand the background of development and humanitarian assistance work in the country.  Such information can also be used to help to demonstrate the impact and legitimacy of NGO work in Afghanistan. This requires that the ACBAR directory and member database continue to be produced, with efforts to ensure their quality and reliability. In addition, analysis of trends and facts will help to support the advocacy activities of ACBAR and its members. 

ACBAR will make increased use of information technologies such as its website and broaden the reach of its bulletins to better serve its members.  

Providing essential information to members   

This service is one of the most essential currently provided by ACBAR.  Through its bulletins, job adverts and translations of letters from government, ACBAR manages an information network that is unique in Afghanistan.  ACBAR will enhance these with more information and feedback on ACBAR activities such as coordination, lobbying and participation in various forums.

Using information technologies to enhance internal and external communications 

ACBAR will make increasing use of its website and other information technologies to effectively disseminate information to both members and external stakeholders and to enhance internal communications with members.  This will include establishing a member section on ACBAR’s website to store information relevant to members, using online survey facilities and other applications.  

Facilitating Coordination mechanisms 

ACBAR will facilitate the organisation of coordination forums in informing its members of existing forums and in organising regular and ad hoc coordination meetings according to the requirement of its members or the needs. ACBAR will try to improve the coordination / ex-change of information between Development NGO and advocate in favour of more involvement of civil society actors into the ANDS Planning / Implementation and monitoring process. 

Coordination of communication operations  

ACBAR will organise or contribute to organise communication operation aiming at promoting the role, the values, the activities and overall the added value of the civil society active in Afghanistan.

Activities: 

1. Collect relevant information pertaining to humanitarian action, reconstruction and development activities and policies
2. ACBAR receives information in the form of letters from the different ministries/Independent departments, they are translated from the local language(s) in to English.
3. Receives call for proposals from donors and the Afghan Government.
4. ACBAR receives job vacancies from donors, UN Agencies, the Afghan Government, and the Private sectors.
5. ACBAR Regional Offices collect from the Afghan Government Authorities, people and other stakeholders and pass it to ACBAR Head Office. 
6. Dissemination of information through website and e-mail
7. The collected information after screening and translation is sent to member NGOs and other NGOs, Donors and private sector if relevant.
8. The information like job vacancies and call for proposals will be posted on the ACBAR website.
9. Minutes/notes on different meetings that ACBAR participates will be shared with members.
10. Disseminate information through ACBAR regional offices to different stakeholders in the regions, line ministries’ departments, UN Agencies, and NGOs.
    1. Through coordination meetings (UNCT, HCT, AHF, CMWG, CM Secretariat, InterCluster, NGO/Donors, HAP Steering Committee);
    2. Through e-mails and hard copy letters
11. Publish ACBAR information bulletins
12. ACBAR will publish online biweekly bulletin on subjects relevant to NGOs and their interests.
13. ACBAR will produce a data base and contact directory of member different stake holders, the GoA, donors, Embassies, NGOs private sector, UN and media.
14. ACBAR participates to and organises monthly NGOs Coordination meetings that take place in Kabul (ANDS, UNCT, HCT, AHF, CMWG, CM Secretariat, InterCluster, NGO/Donors, HAP Steering Committee) as well as in the Regional Offices (Herat, Jalalabad, and Mazar);
15. ACBAR hosts these meetings, inform NGOs of important coordination meetings, takes minutes, disseminate agenda and minutes of meetings;
16. At the regional level, ACBAR participates in monthly thematic group meetings, inform NGOs of Such meetings, takes minutes, disseminate agenda and minutes of the meetings.
17. Organize adequate ACBAR member feedback through holding monthly Directors’ Meeting;
18. Ad hoc meetings on urgent issues will be held with different stakeholder when necessary and or on the request of ACBAR Management, the Steering Committee (SC), and members;
19. Ensure relevant NGO representation: ACBAR will represent members in different national and international fora such as donors conference;
20. ACBAR organizes regular communication events to promote the work, the role, the values and the added value of the NGO in Afghanistan (radio intervention, TV round table, exhibitions and regular press statement or articles);
21. ACBAR facilitate the coordination of events for international days (peace day, Disaster management day, Women Day, etc..);
22. ACBAR support members when organizing media events, base on its own experience;