ACBAR

Strategic plan 2020 - 2022

Vision

Effective NGOs, Stronger Communities

Mission

To provide an efficient platform for members to carry out effective humanitarian and development activities in Afghanistan.

Values

The NGO Code of Conduct is a set of shared norms, principles and values to demonstrate the legitimacy and accountability – developed by ACBAR, AWN, ANCB and SWABAC – that aims to guide the NGO conduct in Afghanistan. Below are ACBAR’s six general principles as promoted by the NGO Code of Conduct.

Moreover, in ACBAR’s Statute of Operations, the following values support the six general principles:

• Commitment and Excellence
• Social and Economic Justice
• Accountability and Transparency
• Empowerment and Collaboration
• Compassion and Empathy
• Innovation and Sustainability

Read the documents:

• Strategic Plan 2020 – 2022

Coordination & Information

ACBAR is committed to promote dialogue, consultation and coordination between NGOs, Government, UN, donors and other civil society actors in Afghanistan.

ACBAR facilitates sharing of information between NGO members and external stakeholders through monthly coordination meetings in Kabul and at provincial offices; meetings such as the Afghanistan Development Forum (ADF) and ACBAR Afghanistan Humanitarian Forum (ACBAR AHF) that elevate discussion with the Ministries and UN on policy and practice.

ACBAR also provides open access to hundreds of reports, donor strategies, field researches, laws and policies on Afghanistan through its website and directly to its members in order to improve knowledge and practice.

ACBAR strengthens NGO knowledge and practice

Goals:

Strengthen coordination responses, roles and activities to improve member engagement;

Support collection and sharing of information between members.

Objectives:

1. Facilitate relevant monthly meetings related to humanitarian, development and peace-building activities.

2. Follow up joint action processes on collective outcomes at Kabul and provincial levels.

3. Share relevant information to members and maintain database of member activities and contacts.

4. Improve member understanding of NGO landscape.

Advocacy & Enabling Environment

ACBAR plays a leading role in defending the interests of NGOs with the Government, international community and other relevant stakeholders.

ACBAR has regular advocacy meetings to facilitate policy discussions and identify joint advocacy issues.

ACBAR actively promotes the role and principles of NGOs to improve access and aid delivery to beneficiaries and strongly advocates for the protection of aid workers and civilians.

This has led to the publication of multiple reports and position papers on aid effectiveness, the militarization of aid and the rights of marginalized groups such as IDPs, returnees, people with disabilities, women and the poor.

ACBAR maintains close links with key players and decision makers by taking part in the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF) Advisory Board and relevant international conferences to represent the NGO community in Afghanistan.

ACBAR advocates on policy and implementation levels to represent a strong, united NGO voice.

Goals:

Support members to influence issue-based policy processes across the Nexus;

Present strong individual and collective voices to targeted audiences on key issues;

Strengthen NGO action in the governance environment.

Objectives:

1. Facilitate an advocacy platform for members working on issue-based policy processes.

2. Draw on and promote evidence-based research to influence policies related to NGO interests.

3. Promote the unique value of NGOs to Government, donors, partners and communities on national and international levels.

4. Ensure that the identity, principles and policy priorities of NGOs are understood, respected, protected and defended.

5. Strengthen Government engagement on issues related to NGO space.

Capacity Building

ACBAR is engaged in improving the institutional capacity of NGOs and civil society actors.

In all the main provincial cities in Afghanistan, ACBAR’s training team provides workshops and trainings on e.g. Afghan laws, humanitarian principles and project cycle management to NGO partners and the wider civil society.

The objective is to enhance skills of the national staff in organizational management, to explain international principles including standards and to illustrate best practice.

ACBAR’s Twinning programme builds the capacity of National NGOs by preparing them for entry into the UNOCHA’s humanitarian pooled funds and by pairing them with International NGOs to provide mentoring and guidance to their Afghan counterparts on institutional management and humanitarian practice.

ACBAR empowers capacity of NGOs by developing their professional skills

Goal:

Develop the capacity of members and relevant local stakeholders to be more effective actors.

Objectives:

1. Improve NGO knowledge of national and international standards and best practice.

2. Strengthen institutional capacities of members and relevant local stakeholders.

3. Increase capacity of NNGOs to engage in humanitarian, development and peace-building activities.