What?
In 2003, the new Afghan government started an ambitious development programme for the rural areas: ”The National Solidarity Programme”, abbreviated NSP. The goal was to improve the lives of millions of rural people. NSP provides resources to villages to fund thousands of small development projects that may include water supply, sanitation, electricity, irrigation and road construction.
The development projects are identified and designed by the villages. A village council is democratically elected and given the assignment of implementing a local development plan. Female participation is ensured by women being members of the village council or forming a separate female village council.
A quarter of the projects that have been completed relates to water supply, a quarter to road improvement, 17 per cent to crop irrigation and 14 per cent to electrification.
The NSP programme is a part of the national development programme the government is pursuing and is financed through a fund where many countries contribute money: Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF).
Who?
The programme is being implemented by Afghanistan's government, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development.
How much?
Sweden is contributing USD 73m to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) through Sida during 2010 – 2013. The Swedish share is approximately 7 per cent of the total fund. Sweden is also giving USD 14 million to the NSP programme during 2010 – 2012 in the four provinces Balkh, Samangan, Sar-e Pul and Jowzjan in northern Afghanistan.
Results?
- 26, 500 village councils for development have been elected in the villages.
57, 000 development projects have been started.
45, 000 development projects have been completed.
29, 000 women are members of village councils.
59, 000 women are members of special female village councils.
