1-Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA):
The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) is established by a number of civil society organizations. It is an impartial and independent organization which aims to monitor elections to ensure that they are free and fair. The organization has been striving to promote democracy in the country and help ensure public participation in electoral affairs.
The foundation helps consolidate public trust and faith in democracy and elections. It was registered with the Ministry of Justice on June 12, 2004.
The foundation maiden experience was that of the presidential elections of October 9, 2004 during which it observed the elections in 100 districts inside the country and in Pakistan.
Its second experience was observing the National Assembly Elections at a time when it covered 217 districts containing 65% of all polling cent.
Web: www.fefa.org.af
2-Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA):
The widely known Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA) was step up back in 2009. It is viewed as an independent and transparent electoral observing body. It had been formed to oversee the election processes to ensure transparency and credibility of ballots. The foundation is of the opinion that neutral observation missions help in bolstering the transparency of the electoral process. With the nascent democracy processes in Afghanistan, the process requires committed contribution of civil society and other institutions to make it result-oriented and sustainable. The absence of strong and committed local electoral observation has been a challenging job to be done in Afghanistan. The organization has been established in an apparent attempt to fill in the gap to ensure more and more participation of locals in the polls process.
The foundation has the credit of observing the 2010 parliamentary and provincial council elections with covering a total of 17 provinces and released the results of its task.
Web: www.tefa.org.af
3-Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU):
The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) is a Kabul based independent research. It has been striving to inform and influence policy and practice through conducting high-quality, policy-relevant research and actively disseminating the results, and to enhance the learning and research.
In a move to achieve its mission, the unit engages with policymakers, students, researchers and civil society to enhance their use of AREU's research and its library and to explore more opportunities for analysis and debate.
The unit is dedicated to research excellence and seeks to contribute to the progress of comprehensive and transparent policymaking processes, by keeping the priorities of the Afghans. It was formed in 2002 by the community in Afghanistan. It has a board of directors with representation from donors, the United Nations and other multilateral agencies, and non-governmental organizations.
Web:www.areu.org.af
4-The Asia Foundation (TAF):
The Asia Foundation is considered a nonprofit international development organization, which is committed to improving lives across Asia. The foundation addresses critical issues affecting Asia in the 21st century—governance and law, economic development, women's empowerment, environment, and regional cooperation. In addition, the foundation encourages Asia's continued development as a peaceful and thriving region of the world. With its headquarters in San Francisco, the foundation works through a network of offices in 17 Asian countries including Washington, DC. Having public and private partners, the foundation gets funds from a diverse group of bilateral and multilateral development agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals. Back in 2012, it provided nearly $100 million in direct program support and distributed textbooks and other educational materials worth over $30 million. As the foundation’s Kabul office was reopened in 2002, it works to rebuild the country and accelerate the development process. Its programs focus on law, governance, and civil society, including support for the development of a new constitution and national voter registration, civic education, and government-media relations. It provides long-term support with technical assistance to key governmental institutions responsible for the executive branch, parliamentary affairs, agriculture, sub-national government, and foreign affairs. It also focuses on women’s education and their empowerment.
Web: http://asiafoundation.org/country/overview/afghanistan
5-Democracy International, Inc (DI):
The Democracy International, Inc. (DI) designs, implements, and evaluates democracy and governance globally. Established in 2003, the DI offers expertise in election processes and election monitoring, political party organizing, local government and decentralization, legislative strengthening, civil society development, strategic communications, and rule of law programming. It has wide ranging experience with assessments, evaluations, project designs, and survey research. It is based in the US and is an SBA-registered small business. It has been a prime holder of a USAID indefinite quantity contract (IQC) for Democracy and Governance Analytical Services since 2004.
Web: www.democracyinternational.com
6-The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES):
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has been striving to support citizens’ right in a move to ensure their participation in fair, free and independent ballots. Its independent expertise strengthens electoral systems and builds local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions. Known as the global leader in democracy promotion, the foundation strives to help build good governance and democratic rights by providing technical assistance to officials associated with the election process. It also works to empower the underrepresented in an apparent attempt to participate in the political process.
Web: www.ifes.org
7-The National Democratic Institute (NDI):
The institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization, which supports democratic institutions and practices in every region of the world for more than two decades. Founded in 1983, the institute with its local partners has been striving to set up and stabilize political and civic organizations, protect elections and ensure more participation of citizens in the election process. The institute has started conducting programs from 2002 to encourage participation of Afghans men and women in the country’s political process. The institute has one central with seven provincial offices elsewhere in Afghanistan. Its offices are situated in Kunduz, Kandahar, Jalalabad, Khost, Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif.
Web: http://ndi.org/content/afghanistan
8-Afghan Civil Society Forum-organization (ACSFo):
Afghan Civil Society Forum-organization (ACSFo) was established in collaboration between Afghan civil society actors and “Swiss peace” (a Swiss private foundation for the promotion of peace) Bad Honnef, Germany in 2001. The forum has been striving to involve Afghan civil society in peace building and reconstruction process of their country. The forum started its activities in 2002 after initial funds were secured from the Swiss and German governments. Its Kabul office was opened in 2002. It is committed “to facilitate the process of citizen building and state building through advocacy, capacity building and coordination”.
Web: www.acsf.af
9- Afghan Women’s Network (AWN):
The Afghan Women’s Network (AWN) was established in 1995. It primarily focuses on Afghanistan women’s rights. It has been serving as a well-established organization for the growing number of women’s organizations and individual members operating in the country.
It has active presence in several provinces with its headquarters in Kabul while offices in Herat, Jalalabad and other provinces. It strives to address issues of gender-based violence, youth empowerment and girl’s education.
CONTACT: 0799689079 or 0 00286598
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.afghanwomennetwork.af
10- Afghan Women’s Educational Center (AWEC):
The widely known Afghan Women’s Educational Center (AWEC) is a non-governmental organization, which has been working in several areas including advocacy for human rights, justice, and peace building. It has played magnificent role during its 21 years of life. The center is striving to discharge its duties in education, economic opportunities and help sustain others work. It is working to mobilize people and communities so that they are able to take government accountable.
Contact: 0 777761314
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Website: www.awec.info
11- Cooperation for Peace and Development (CPD):
The Cooperation for Peace and Development (CPD) was set up voluntarily by a number of its members. It is a non-profit non-governmental organization, which has been striving to introduce positive changes in perception of Afghans.
It is working to ensure that Afghanistan enjoys good governance, respects human rights and shares strong bonds within the region and the world at large.
Contact: 0093782900946
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cpdo.blog.af
12-Afghan Amputee Bicyclists for Rehabilitation and Recreation (AABRAR):
The organization is a local-Afghan non-governmental, non-political and not-for-profit organization dedicated to the social, civic and economic integration of persons with disabilities in Afghanistan.
Formed in 1992, it is the first official service, which was a bicycle training program, the first such training offered in Afghanistan to help handicapped. By the end of 2011, the organization enjoyed active presence in 20 provinces of Afghanistan. It provides various kinds of services to almost 700,000 people throughout the country.
Contact: 0775 55 88 85 or 0700 27 35 58
Email: [email protected]
www.aabrar.org.af
13- Afghan Development Association (ADA):
The association strives to promote and provide development and humanitarian services to Afghans. Since its inception in 1990, the association provided assistance in a countless sectors to poverty-stricken masses of the country.
It has brought hope and optimism to communities, through provision of basic services, resettlement of returning refugees, internally displaced persons, and introduction of integrated rural development programs, education and capacity building.
Contact: 0799202137 and 0700319291
Website: www.ada.org.af
Email: [email protected]
14- Afghan Human Rights Research and Advocacy Organization (AHRRAO):
The organization was founded by a group of activists from northern Afghanistan with diverse ethnic backgrounds who share an interest in development work of the country. The organization was formed in 2010 in a move to conduct high quality research and advocacy for human rights. The organization has been active in doing research for human rights independently and in partnership with other institutes.
Contact: 0706440007
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Website: www.ahrra.org
15-Afghanistan Centre for Training and Development (ACTD):
The center is a registered non-governmental organization working for the development and transformation of civil society in Afghanistan. It was formed in 2007 by a group of Afghan professionals. Its vision is to see realization and development of a vibrant civil society in Afghanistan where the interest, concerns, and dignity of the citizen are taken seriously and more people have access to resources and power over choices.
Contact: 0 700 20 82 74 or 0 799 47 86 15
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Website: www.actd.org.af
16- Afghanistan Human Rights and Democracy Organization (AHRDO):
It is said to be an independent organization. Formed in 2009, the organization is registered with the Ministry of Economy in Afghanistan. It is striving to promote democracy and human rights in the country through employing a variety of arts and culture-based programs. The mandate of the organization is to contribute to a democratization process, in which local culture is based on principles of justice, freedom and respect for human rights.
Contact: 0)783636707
Email: [email protected]
Website:www.ahrdo.org
17- Assistance for Health Education and Development (AHEAD):
It is a leading Afghan non-governmental and non-political organization operating in different parts of Afghanistan since 2008. With main office in Balkh and sub offices in Kabul and Samangan, it has implemented projects in Balkh, Samangan, Kuduz, Kandahar, Faryab and Sar-e-Pul provinces, with an intention to increase its reach to cover all the 34 provinces of the country. It has been delivering collaborative projects, aimed at community development, health, and education and improving role of civil society in Afghanistan.
Contact: 0775-188-585 or 0700-502-211
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
18- Community Centre for Disabled (CCD):
It has been established to help facilitate Persons with Disabilities. The Community Centre for Disabled was formed in 2004. It is striving to facilitate the social integration of persons with disabilities through economic empowerment, awareness, capacity building and sports activities. It became an independent Afghan NGO in 2007 with 80 % of its staff members have disabilities.
Contact: 0752 128 328
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ccd.org.af
19- Da Qanoon Ghushtonky (DQG):
Da Qanoon Ghustonky is an Afghan legal aid organization advocating for an equitable and safe Afghanistan where women, children and men can equally be served justice.
It was founded in 2005 with the aim of advancing Afghan society through the promotion of a legal system based on human rights. With 74 staff in 17 provinces, it has its main office in Kabul with provincial offices in Herat, Nangarhar, Parwan and Balkh provinces. It has provided legal assistance in more than 17,000 cases of women, children and men free of charge.
Contact: 0 799 75 92 32
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dqg.org.af
20- Development and Humanitarian Services for Afghanistan (DHSA):
It was established in 1992. It has been working in areas of media and communication, education, cultural heritage, environmental protection, humanitarian relief and food sustainability. The Killid Group is the independent, not-for-profit public media programme of DHSA. Founded in 2002 within a rigorous journalistic framework, today it is the largest non commercial media in Afghanistan, established with a public service mandate to inform and educate the war-weary people.
Phone: 0774435191
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.tkg.af
21- EQUALITY for Peace and Democracy (EPD):
It focuses on two areas of peace building and good governance. It works for carrying out research to understand the roots of problems and challenges, building capacity of women and youth and mobilizing them in peace building and improving governance. It has been striving to build Afghanistan a peaceful, prosperous and democratic state where all citizens enjoy equal rights without any discrimination.
Contact: 0794 11 11 60
Email: [email protected]
22- Organization of Fast Relief and Development (OFRD):
The organization is a humanitarian non-governmental, which focuses to help and rebuild Afghanistan. It provides humanitarian assistance to crises and natural disasters affected people and refugees/internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Phone: 0789 341 438 or 0700 252 138
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ocsda.org.af
23- Peace Training and Research Organization (PTRO):
Established in 2010 by a group of experienced peace building researchers, the organization strives to promote peace and stability and its people have access to good governance and rule of law. It focuses on conflict resolution and peace-building, linking informal and formal justice mechanisms and building their capacity and promoting good governance. It claims of working to build local capabilities in conflict resolution through engaging with community leaders and youth.
Contact: 0782 203 080
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ptro.org.af
24- Fakiru- Amal Jirga:
It is an Afghani Jirga, established by a group of people to maintain national unity, courtesy, good manners and respect Islamic values so they can be able to help ensure strong, independent and fair justice system. Its members play an important role in achieving Islamic, national values and benefits of national politics of the country. Muhammad Halim Fidai is the spokesperson of the Jirga.
Contacts: 0799733733
Email: [email protected]
25- Eastern Residents Tribal Council of Kabul:
It was established in 2013 to wash out the bitter impact of the last 35 years long war in Afghanistan. The Eastern Residents Tribal Council of Kabul is established by a company of Eastern Residents Tribal elders of Kabul, members of lower house and elected representative of the region in an attempt to work out a comprehensive effort for prosperity and peace in the country. It strives for education and training, empowerments of youth, building friendly and strong relations among people of the country.
Contacts: 0700157328
Email: [email protected]
26- Federation of Afghanistan Civil Society (FACS):
The Federation of Afghanistan Civil Society (FACS) is a non-governmental organizations. It serves to be the councils, society and cultural organizations for the national federation. It has been striving to avoid corruptions, killing, current chaos in the country and to ensure national security, stability , law and justice, good governance in the country.
Contacts: 0785099778 and 0788161853
Email: [email protected]
27- Afghan cultural society Jirga:
It is a cultural and educational center of the country. It has been working to analyze problems being faced by the society and find its reasons and solutions. Members of the Jirga hold a weekly gathering in an attempt to evualvate their past work and discuss and assign new tasks. Similarly, the members share their information and experiences.
Contacts: 0700670552
Email: [email protected]
28- Civil Society’s Coordination Jirga:
It was established in 2012 by civil society and is a non-governmental society. It has been striving to coordinate civil society’s basic and essential activities and to ensure secure social environment, implementation of law and human rights.
Contacts: 0700670552
Email: [email protected]
29- Independent Journalists Union of Afghanistan:
It was established by an independent group of Afghanistan journalists in 2005. It has been working to secure journalists’ rights. The union has branches in the provinces headed by Khpalwak Safi.
Contacts: 0700275753
Email: [email protected]
30- Afghanistan Journalists Federations:
It was build with the support of nine working journalists and media’s support unions in 2012 in an attempt to counter pressure against journalists. They organize their activities under Afghanistan Journalists Federation Frame. The federation is being managed by a directive board consisting of individual members of the federations.
Contacts: 0700274526
Email: [email protected]
31- Nai- Supporter of Independent Media Outlets in Afghanistan:
It is a non-governmental Afghan Organization established in 2005 by Internews. Nai has been striving to support and empower independent media outlets of Afghanistan. The main goal of Nai is deployment of strong and independent media sector in Afghanistan. The organization has membership of worldwide network of Internews which has 40 branches in the world. The central and training office of Nai is located in Kabul and its provincial offices are located in big cities such as Jalalabad, Kandahar, Mazarsharif and Herat.
Contacts: 0774409923
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.nai.org.af
32- Women’s Radios Association/Union of Afghanistan:
The union is formally registered with the Ministry of Justice of Afghanistan in 2013. Of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, 40 radios have taken membership of the union. The main goal of Women’s Radios Union of Afghanistan is to increase programs for women and families, paving ground for women in radios, training female journalists and enhance women roles in politics, economics and culture.
Contacts: 0700275089
Email: [email protected]
33- Afghanistan National Journalists Union (ANJU):
Afghanistan Journalists National Union was named as Afghanistan Journalists Union at the beginning when it was established in 1980. During Taliban regime in 1992, it was renamed as Afghanistan Journalists Islamic Union. The union has 73 members.
Contacts: 0700281218
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.anju.af
34- Centre for Medias Correlation (Mahr):
It was established in 2008 and having around 50 members. According to Mahr members, the center defends journalist’s rights and freedom of speech.
Contacts: 0700978000 and 0799594466
Email: info@ mehrmedia.org
Website: http://www.mehrmedia.org
35- South Asian Women Journalists Association:
The South Asian Women Journalists Association is the first journalists union of Afghan women which was established in 2008 in Kabul. Nearly 100 Afghan women have the membership of the union. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Butane, Nepal, Madip, Hindustan and Pakistan have the membership of the union.
Contacts: 0700293756
Email: [email protected]
36- South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA):
The South Asian Journalists have established the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) in 2002 while Afghanistan joined the association in 2006. SAFMA is a large network of journalists, consisting of all sectors of media outlets of the member countries. It focues on empowerment and strengthen of media inside the country, improving the access to free reports from SAARC, bringing reconciliation and regional cooperation.
Contacts: 0752024107
Email: [email protected]
37- Parliament Reporters Committee of Afghanistan:
It was established in 2013, which is headed by Abaseen Zahir, news reporter of Pajhwok Afghan News. It has around 80 members. State-run and private media reporters, photographers, film makers, broadcasters and publishers have the membership of the committee.
Contacts: 0700069580
Email: [email protected]
38- Afghanistan Medio thech:
It has started working in 1993 in German by a group of Afghan immigrants and some Germans experts to put an end to the war and help strengthen peace and stability. It supports media and to extend helping in bolstering media in Afghanistan. Mediothek has six media houses in Kabul, Nangarhar, Khost, Balkh, Kunduz and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Contacts: 0700284497 and 0788201297
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mediothek.org.af
39- Sayara:
Sayara is an Afghan Organization helping journalists in various areas. The organization helps journalism department Universities of Kabul, Khost, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Mazarsharif, Bamyan and Herat. Sayara radio provides radio productions, broadcasting facilities and helping Internet and computer training centres. Contacts: 0752035051
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sayarastrategies.com
40- Khwakhogai Literary and Cultural Association:
Literary, scientific and educationists of Afghanistan have officialy started working in September 24, 2004 after establishing the association. It strives to honor Afghanistan’s politicians, literary and scientific personalities, well known journalists, writers and poets. Contacts: 0700484646
Email: [email protected]
41- Afghanistan Independent Association of Defender Attorney:
The association has startedactivities in 2008 in Kabul. It has 1000 members headed by Ruhullah Qari Zada. The association has built a media committee out of 50 members. The main objective of the association is to support freedom of speech, media law and related laws, defend communication and reporters rights.
Contacts: 0799280815
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.aiba.af
42- Afghan Journalists’ Safety Committee (AJSC):
The AJSC isnon politician network of journalists and civil society activists. It has started working in 2009 in an attempt to protect Afghan media and foreign reporters. It is financially backed by International Media Support (IMS), headed by Najib Sharif.
Contacts: 0702502087
Email: [email protected]
43- Afghan Research and Council Centre:
The Afghan Research and Council Centre was established in February 8, 2011 in Kabul and is considered one of the counseling and research service scientific centre.
Contacts: 0799248497
Email: [email protected]
