I-PACS II Newsletter

The program began in 2011 and is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). I-PACS II focuses on increasing local awareness of the CSOs' role and their effectiveness in supporting social improvement and nation building. The program has established an Advisory Committee, comprising seven key partner Intermediary Service Organizations (ISOs), to inform program strategy, goal-setting, and activity planning. The committee's purpose is to strengthen Afghan civil society's capacity to support social improvement and nation building through advice for the effective implementation of I-PACS II and enhanced civil society participation, collaboration, and recognition. The I-PACS II program has also expanded its civil society network by partnering with nine Afghan CSOs, which have been selected and approved by USAID to become I-PACS II Civil Society Support Centers (CSSCs). These organizations will focus on peace building, rehabilitation, legal aid, gender equality, human rights promotion, advocacy, and the rights of the disabled. Counterpart International, the implementing partner of I-PACS II, has begun planning annual Organizational Development (OD) assessments of all its key partners. The assessments will take place through mid-July, and the reports will be presented before work planning begins for the coming program year. The OD assessments aim to increase the organizational sustainability of Afghan partner CSOs. The I-PACS II program has also organized a study tour to Jaipur and Delhi, India, in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). The tour aimed to identify similarities and differences between gender-related problems in India and Afghanistan. The exchange provided valuable insights for I-PACS staff and helped to strengthen relationships between Counterpart and its key partners. The I-PACS II program has made significant progress in strengthening civil society organizations in Afghanistan. The program's focus on increasing local awareness of CSOs' roles and effectiveness has contributed to the growth and development of Afghan civil society. The program's efforts to increase organizational sustainability and capacity building have also helped to strengthen the capacity of Afghan CSOs to support social improvement and nation building. The I-PACS II program's success is attributed to the close cooperation and constant support from its donor and partners. The program's efforts to strengthen civil society organizations in Afghanistan have contributed to the country's development and growth. The program's focus on increasing local awareness of CSOs' roles and effectiveness has helped to establish a strong and sustainable civil society in Afghanistan.