Afghan communities: 2021
We set up Solution Accelerators in 10 villages across 4 provinces in Afghanistan.
After observing Solution Accelerators in 2 villages in his district over 8 months, an Afghan District Governor said,
“We have similar problems and conflicts in every community and people do not have enough skills to solve them. We ask the project team to expand their programs to the district level. This is a very valuable program that, in addition to solving problems and conflicts, also teaches people how to manage conflicts."
Our partners:
The project was interrupted 1/3 into ramp-up after 8 months by our funder after the overthrow and change of government. If continued, outcomes should have accelerated in all 10 communities.
Here is our web portal: https://www.sif.gimcinternational.com/
Actions and results:
Activities: We conducted two rounds of interviews with prime actors, organized the data and began a structured dialogue in each of the 10 communities.
Outputs: We created and launched a Shared Information Framework in English, Dari and Pashto for each of the 10 communities. Local participation in the interviews and structured dialogues increased between sessions.
Low-level outcomes: We measured and measurably increased inclusion, common understanding, trust and basic democratic skills in all 10 communities.
High-level outcomes: Two communities negotiated and implemented self- governing agreements: one to bring electricity to a high school, the other to clear 4 canals. Both problems had been mired in conflict and without solution for over a decade.
Afghan support for the Solution Accelerator:
Local prime actors in 7 of the communities asked us to continue work with them.
A district governor asked us to expand the Solution Accelerator to his district.
Taliban leaders approved the project to continue in 1 of 4 provinces.
Here is a journal article about the project: “The Solution Accelerator in Afghanistan: Lessons From the Field,” in the Journal of Peacebuilding & Development.