Outcome AFG_O_2

ACO continues to sustain, generate and diversify strategic partnerships and resources to advance gender equality and women’s rights in Afghanistan

During 2023, ACO continued to sustain, generate and diversify strategic partnerships and resources to advance gender equality and women’s rights in Afghanistan. A Resource Mobilization and partnerships strategy was developed by June 2023 in light of the recent bans of December 2022 and April 2023. The revised approach to partnership engagement and resource mobilization was reflected and integrated in the newly developed Strategic Note for the office (2023 to 2025) and was informed by the UN system wide Joint Strategic Framework endorsed in July 2023. Given the operational context, ACO regularly engaged with its donors and partners – both new and potential donors. These are twin tracked engagements-political/context updates and UN Women programme pivoting. Collective engagement with a broad range of existing and prospective donors was ensured through the convening of the monthly “Gender & Human Rights Strategic and Thematic Working Group/STWG”, which is the United Nations key coordination platform for gender programming in Afghanistan. In addition, the first in person retreat was organized on 21-22 September in Istanbul for the group. The retreat outcomes (documentations attached here : ) included: Discussing the state of play on the situation in Afghanistan with a focus on Gender and Human Rights. Developing a renewed vision for the group: who we are / what is our vision – a) what is the expected role from the group; b) how it can better inform and influence the ACG; c) finalizing CSO membership. Identifying coordination and cross learning opportunities between the different STWGs. Preparing messages to inform the ACG on gender and Women rights issues. Additional resources were secured for the office during 2023 in support of the newly endorsed Strategic Note for the Afghanistan Country Office (2023-2025). The following agreements were signed: Iceland: USD 380,000 (Against the Strategic Note) – Duration: (2023-2024). Spain: Euro 250 K ($264,845)- (Against the Strategic Note) – Duration: (2023-2025). Norway: NOK 70,000,000 –($6,600,188)- (Against the Strategic Note) – Duration: (2023-2025) Finland Euro 2,100,000 – ($2,297,253) - (Against the Strategic Note) – Duration: (2023-2024) Sweden: SEK 40,000,000 – ($3,900,712) - (Against the Strategic Note) – Duration: (2023-2025) Austria: Euro 120 K - (131,272)- (Against the Strategic Note) – Duration: (2023-2024) Austria development Agency Euro 1 M – ($1,059,380) - (Against the Strategic Note) – Duration: (2023-2024) Additional funds from Denmark: DKK 2,740,000 ($402,248) - (Against the Strategic Note) – Duration: (Jan – March 2024) Total funding received in support of the Strategic Note 2023-2025: $15,021,053

ACO continues to sustain, generate and diversify strategic partnerships and resources to advance gender equality and women’s rights in Afghanistan

The 2023 – 2025 Strategic Note for ACO reflects the revised approach to partnership engagement and resource mobilization, which was also informed by the UN system wide Joint Strategic Framework. ACO maintained regular communication with its donors and partners, including both new and potential donors. In alignment with ACO’s frequent donors’ engagement approach , engagements were organized at the senior level to provide regular briefings on political/context updates as well as UN Women programme pivoting, and progress achieved to date. The regular engagement has helped in building trust with ACO ‘s donors’ and ensuring a sustainable and constructive partnership with our key donors.