Duration: November 2023 – April 2024 (6 Months)
With financial support and oversight from UN Women, and technical assistance from the Afghanistan Institute for Civil Society (AICS) and AKDF, OWSEO successfully implemented a 6-month institutional development program under the GRASP Institutional Funding Grant, which began in November 2023 and concluded in April 2024. This initiative significantly strengthened OWSEO’s organizational framework and staff capacity, enhancing our ability to deliver impactful and accountable humanitarian services.
📄 Policy Development: Strengthening Transparency & Governance
Through the GRASP program, OWSEO developed and finalized the following essential institutional policies:
- Code of Conduct
- Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Policy
- Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy
- Gender Equality Policy
- Procurement & Supply Chain Policy
- Educational Services Policy
- Organizational Conduct & Ethics Policy
- Finance, Human Resources, and Data Protection Policies
These policies now form the foundation of OWSEO’s governance system, ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to international humanitarian standards.
🧠 Capacity Building: Strategic Staff Development
The grant supported comprehensive capacity-building workshops and training sessions for OWSEO staff in key areas, including:
- Proposal Writing & Resource Mobilization
- Leadership & Organizational Governance
- MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning)
- PSEA, Safeguarding & Child Protection
- Project Management, Administration & Finance
- Gender Empowerment & Inclusive Development
- Entrepreneurship for Grassroots NGOs
These trainings equipped our team with the tools and confidence to execute programs more effectively and ethically.
⚙️ Operational Strengthening: Enhancing Infrastructure & Efficiency
Alongside policy and training efforts, the GRASP grant facilitated vital improvements in OWSEO’s operational systems:
- 📡 Upgraded IT infrastructure
- 📦 Enhanced logistics and procurement systems
- 📊 Improved internal monitoring, reporting, and documentation mechanisms
These upgrades have streamlined project implementation, increased efficiency, and ensured a higher impact in our fieldwork.
🌟 The GRASP Institutional Development Program has transformed OWSEO into a stronger, more accountable, and more resilient civil society organization — setting a new standard for grassroots humanitarian work in Afghanistan.
