Assistance to Legislative Bodies of Afghanistan YEAR 2 ANNUAL REPORT

(DAI). The project aims to prepare both Houses of the Afghan Parliament for greater self-reliance and effectiveness. By the mid-point of the timeline, ALBA has made substantial progress in achieving its objectives, including strengthening legislative processes, improving oversight, increasing outreach, and enhancing institutional development. One of the key achievements of ALBA is the establishment of the Commission Support Units (CSUs), which provide research and analysis to assist commissions in preparing analytical reports on pending priority legislation. The CSUs have played a crucial role in the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering Law in June 2014, helping to prevent Afghanistan from being blacklisted by the international banking community. ALBA has also conducted workshops on priority legislation for staff of the Secretariats of both Houses and issued Legislative Bulletins on legislative analysis. Under Objective 1 – Strengthened Legislative Processes, ALBA has launched its first CSU to support the Budget Commission in analyzing the Banking Law. The CSU has also assisted the Commission in preparing analytical reports on the bill, including summaries, proposed amendments, and a final commission report. This approach has been expanded to include other priority legislation, such as the Family Law, the Law to Counter the Financing of Terrorism, and the Procurement Law. ALBA has also supported the Women's Commission of the WJ in re-introducing the Law of the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW). Additionally, ALBA has worked with the PACC to engage with the nominated Ministers of the NUG, seeking their commitment to a program of anti-corruption and transparency in governance. Under Objective 2 – Improved Oversight, ALBA has continued to support the PACC in reviewing and leading the effort to pass the draft Access to Information Law. With ALBA's support, the PACC has expanded its caucus to the Upper House, building a critical mass of advocates in both Houses for current and future anti-corruption legislation. ALBA has also assisted the PACC in developing an Access to Information system, meeting with Ministry officials, CSOs, and media. ALBA has also expanded its support to the leadership of the Budget and Economic Commissions of both Houses, providing them with research and analysis on priority legislation. The project has also included a study trip to India to provide the PACC with best practices in Access to Information. The Afghan Parliamentary Institute (API) has expanded its capacity building efforts to both staff and elected officials, launching a highly effective Fellowship program that exposes law and political science graduates to the processes of Parliament. The API has also injected energy and ideas into the Secretariat workforce. The project has also seen the establishment of a local Afghan Deputy Chief of Party, with a gradual drawdown of ex-pat STTAs. This has enabled the project to empower local program staff to lead activities and present a truly Afghan face to legislative support. The Assistance to Legislative Bodies of Afghanistan (ALBA) project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, including strengthening legislative processes, improving oversight, increasing outreach, and enhancing institutional development. The project has established Commission Support Units, supported the PACC in reviewing and leading the effort to pass the draft Access to Information Law, and expanded its support to the leadership of the Budget and Economic Commissions of both Houses. The project has also seen the establishment of a local Afghan Deputy Chief of Party, with a gradual drawdown of ex-pat STTAs. This has enabled the project to empower local program staff to lead activities and present a truly Afghan face to legislative support. The project has also included a study trip to India to provide the PACC with best practices in Access to Information. The Assistance to Legislative Bodies of Afghanistan (ALBA) project has achieved significant progress in its second year, with substantial progress in all four major objectives. The project has established Commission Support Units, supported the PACC in reviewing and leading the effort to pass the draft Access to Information Law, and expanded its support to the leadership of the Budget and Economic Commissions of both Houses. The project has also seen the establishment of a local Afghan Deputy Chief of Party, with a gradual drawdown of ex-pat ST