SCA empowers the most vulnerable groups and local communities in northern Afghanistan

SCA Rural Development Programme provides livelihood support where formation of Saving Groups is the entry point.  Local communities in Aqcha district of Jowzjan province have established saving groups to thrive their economy.

The clerk of the group Mr. Naeemullah says, “There are four groups, two for women and two for men. There are 80 members. We named this group Tolo-e- Khurshid, the group was started a week ago. In the first week, we were made aware of the programme and importance of the group, and then we started its work practically. These groups are very fruitful for us, we can easily support each other by saving and utilising our money for small business through these groups. It will give us power to stand on our own feet and give hands to each other in the bleakest circumstances.”

SCA will support these groups for six months, providing seed capital, revolving loans, vocational training and small business and value chain support with market linkages and then do a maturity assessment based on which phaseout/not phaseout is decided. The group will sustain and continue by its own after this phase while SCA will still support them with some technical support.

These saving groups are financially supported by the European Union (EU) and implemented by SCA in Afghanistan.