Emergency National Solidarity Programme II

Project Background:

The National Solidarity Program (NSP) was created by the Government of Afghanistan to develop the ability of Afghan communities to identify, plan, manage and monitor their own development projects. NSP promotes a new development paradigm whereby communities are empowered to make decisions and manage resources during all stages of the project cycle. The program will lay the foundation for a sustainable form of inclusive local governance, rural reconstruction, and poverty alleviation.   

NSP is the largest community development program in the history of Afghanistan. Known in Dari as “Hanbastagi Milli” and in Pashtu as “Milli Pawastoon”, it is based on the Afghan traditions of:

• “Ashar” – community members working together on a volunteer basis to improve community infrastructure;

•  “Jirga” – councils comprised of respected members of the community; and
• Islamic values of unity, equity and justice.

Objectives:

NSP supports local governance and poverty alleviation by:

• Establishing a national network of community development councils that empower communities to make decisions;

• Funding priority subprojects that improve access to infrastructure, markets, and services;
• Strengthening community capacities through participatory processes and training; and
• Promoting accountability and wise use of public and private resources.

Activities: Starting late March 2007, the MRRD has contracted Maxwell Stamp in consortium with GOPA to provide (a) complete oversight and running of the NSP Departments of Finance and MIS, and (b) technical assistance in the form of one person each for the NSP Departments of Technical Support, FP Management, M&E, Public Communications, Quality Assurance, and Human Resources Development and Training. Together the consultancy services provided are referred to as NSP’s Management Support Consultant or MSC.  GOPA is responsible for the provision of services to, and the management and further development of the Technical Support Department.