Deadline Date: May 03, 2026
The Afghanistan Research and Social Organization (ARSO) has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to identify and support 10 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kunduz Province through a structured development program.
The program focuses on strengthening business management, improving financial literacy, enhancing marketing strategies, developing customer relations, promoting gender equality, encouraging social justice, supporting community empowerment, increasing operational efficiency, expanding market reach, and fostering sustainable business growth.
The Afghanistan Research and Social Organization (ARSO), a national non-governmental and non-profit entity established in 2019 and registered with the Ministry of Economy of Afghanistan, is committed to delivering humanitarian and development services to vulnerable communities. Through this initiative, ARSO aims to support entrepreneurs who are already running businesses or are close to becoming operational and are motivated to improve their business practices and outcomes.
This opportunity is designed for businesses that are willing to actively engage in learning and applying practical approaches to strengthen their operations. Rather than seeking perfect candidates, the program prioritizes individuals who demonstrate commitment, adaptability, and a willingness to test new ideas in real-world business environments.
Selected participants will benefit from a structured support system that includes training, mentoring, and limited financial or material assistance. The training sessions will cover essential areas such as business management, financial practices, marketing techniques, and customer engagement, using interactive and practical methods based on real-life scenarios.
In addition to training, participants will receive continuous mentoring and follow-up support tailored to their specific business needs. This includes personalized guidance, regular check-ins, and actionable advice to help them effectively implement the skills they acquire during the program.
The program also offers business support of up to €2,000, which may be provided either as in-kind assistance such as tools, equipment, or materials, or as conditional cash support depending on the specific requirements of the business. This support aims to address practical challenges and enhance the overall performance of participating enterprises.
To be eligible, businesses must meet several criteria, including being officially registered, having at least one year of operational experience, maintaining active operations in Kunduz Province, and employing a minimum of four staff members. Applicants must demonstrate ongoing production or service delivery, market presence, and the potential for growth and sustainability. Additionally, they should show basic operational management capacity and a willingness to improve financial practices and record-keeping.
Priority will be given to women-led businesses, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, economically vulnerable entrepreneurs, and businesses operating in underserved communities or contributing to job creation and support for vulnerable groups.
Applicants are required to submit a complete business proposal along with supporting documents, including a signed and stamped application form, business license, national ID (Tazkira), staff details, banking and tax information, business location, and photos of products or operations if available. A brief motivation statement is also required to express the applicant’s interest and commitment to the program.
For more information, visit ACBAR.
