Small Grants for Women-Focused CSO/Entrepreneurs

EPDO Background

Equality for Peace and Development Organization (EPDO) is an Afghan non-profit, non-governmental organization registered with the Ministry of Economy and has a membership of ACBAR. The NGO was founded in 2010 to empower Afghan youth in their communities and advocate for them at the policy level. EPDO’s work aims for Afghanistan to be a peaceful, prosperous, and welfare state. One in which each citizen enjoys equal rights free of any form of discrimination. EPDO’s aspirations for youth and civil societies to become active agents in securing their needs at the community and policy levels, to build coalitions and networks, and advocate for humanitarian work, inclusive human rights, and peace. Afghanistan is one of the world’s most complex emergencies and the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The country’s crisis is multi-layered, coming from political tensions, poverty resulting in extreme food insecurity, economic decline because of mass unemployment, and natural disasters like droughts and floods.

Nangarhar, Kabul, and Bamyan

EPDO invites local entrepreneurs and community-focused business owners in Nangarhar, Kabul, and Bamyan to apply for small grants program.

The purpose is to support business ideas that:

• Strengthen women’s economic resilience.
• Build the capacity of women and girls / young women and vulnerable groups.
• Provide practical training for vulnerable women in the proposed business.
• Create jobs or income opportunities for women.

Who can apply

We are looking for applicants who are:

• CSOs, Entrepreneurs, small business owners, or community-focused initiative leaders.
• Based in Nangarhar, Kabul, or Bamyan.
• Able to present a clear business and capacity-strengthening idea that can be started or strengthened with the allocated budget.
• Committed to training women and creating jobs or income opportunities for women.
• Able to work safely and confidentially within the local context.
• Have proven experience in social work, including social cohesion, gender equality, peacebuilding, and women's protection.

Application requirements

Applicants must submit:

1. A detailed description of the business idea.
2. The required resources and an itemized budget of USD 2,000–3,000.
3. An explanation of how the business will support women’s economic resilience.
4. A capacity-building plan: how many women and girls / young women will be trained, in what skills, why you have selected those skills, and for how long.
5. A job creation plan: how many women will be employed or earn income, and in what roles.
6. A simple timeline and a plan for continuing the business after the grant.
7. Previous experience in social work, including social cohesion, gender equality, peacebuilding, and women's protection.

How to apply

Please send your application form and documents to the following email address no later than October 20, 2026

Email: admin@epdo-afg.org

All inquiries will be treated confidentially. Please do not share personal or business details publicly. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Selection criteria

• Direct benefit to women’s economic resilience.
• Clear and realistic business idea.
• Realistic budget based on the allocated budget.
• At least one year of proven experience in delivering comparable assignments
• Strong training and job creation plan for women.
• The applicant must be from the same province where the intervention will take place
• Safety, feasibility, and sustainability.

Confidentiality and safety

We prioritize the safety of all applicants and participants. Personal information, locations, and business details will be kept confidential and shared only with the review team.