Opportunity Information: Apply for SCAKAB 12 AW 012 SCA 05232012
Apply for SCAKAB 12 AW 012 SCA 05232012
- The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Afghan Womens Economic Opportunity" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.501 Public Diplomacy Programs for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 23, 2012 and posted on May 23, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 30, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- The U.S. Embassy Kabul Public Affairs Section encourages applications from all sectors committed and organized civil society organizations, private sector companies, local representatives of civil society, think tanks, non governmental organizations, academic institutions, and individuals. U.S. NGOs may apply but preference is given to local NGOs or to partnerships that develop capacity with Afghan NGOs or employees and include plans to transfer programs to sustainable local management.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "Advancing Afghan Womens Economic Opportunity" (Funding Opportunity Number SCAKAB-12-AW-012; CFDA 19.501) was a discretionary U.S. Department of State program administered through the U.S. Embassy Kabul Public Affairs Section under the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Its central purpose was to fund practical, results-oriented programs that expand economic opportunities for women in Afghanistan by linking women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses to the broader regional economy, with an emphasis on real commercial connections rather than one-off events.
The program asked applicants to design proposals around four specific themes. First, "Improving the Business Environment for Women" focused on reducing barriers that make it harder for women to start, formalize, and grow businesses, such as constraints tied to regulations, market access, networks, or business services. Second, "Accessing Finance" targeted efforts that help women entrepreneurs and enterprises obtain capital or financial tools, which could include approaches that improve financial literacy, strengthen readiness to work with lenders or investors, or expand access to appropriate financial products. Third, "Expanding Markets through Trade" emphasized connecting Afghan women-owned businesses to new customers and supply chains, including cross-border trade linkages and market-entry support that increases the ability to sell beyond local markets. Fourth, "Building Capacity through Business Associations, Mentoring, and Internships" encouraged programs that strengthen professional networks and institutional support systems for women in business, including structured mentoring relationships, internship pathways, and the development or reinforcement of business associations that can provide long-term support.
The notice signaled a clear preference for projects that create concrete linkages and competitive advantages. Examples of the kinds of activities the Department of State wanted to support included building stronger connections among women-run businesses, developing ideas that connect firms across borders, providing technical assistance that increases the use of technology, improving market readiness (for example, helping businesses meet buyer requirements, improve packaging and standards, or professionalize operations), and facilitating exchanges between larger and smaller firms so smaller enterprises can learn how to compete and integrate into supply chains. At the same time, the announcement explicitly cautioned that the Department of State was not likely to fund proposals that primarily consist of conferences or meetings, implying that standalone convenings without strong implementation and follow-through were not considered competitive.
Funding levels ranged from an award floor of $20,000 to an award ceiling of $250,000, and there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The opportunity was posted on May 23, 2012, with an application closing date of July 30, 2012, and it was later archived on August 29, 2012. The funding instrument was a grant, and the activity category was listed as Business and Commerce, consistent with the focus on enterprise development, finance, and trade.
Eligibility was broad and intentionally cross-sector. The Embassy encouraged applications from organized civil society groups, private sector companies, local civil society representatives, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and individuals. U.S.-based NGOs were allowed to apply, but the announcement indicated a preference for local Afghan NGOs or partnership models that deliberately build Afghan organizational capacity, employ Afghan staff, and include plans to transition the work to sustainable local management over time. That preference reflects an intent to avoid short-term, externally driven programming and instead support initiatives that can be maintained and owned locally.
Administrative contact for access issues and submissions was Cynthia Rafferty, Grants Manager in the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Overall, the opportunity was designed to fund applied, market-facing interventions that help Afghan women participate more fully in business, finance, and trade, and to do so in a way that strengthens lasting networks and institutions rather than relying on event-based programming.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The grant opportunity is titled "Advancing Afghan Womens Economic Opportunity".
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SCAKAB-12-AW-012. The CFDA number is 19.501.
3) Which U.S. government office administered this program?
It was a discretionary U.S. Department of State program administered through the U.S. Embassy Kabul Public Affairs Section, under the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.
4) What was the central purpose of the grant?
The purpose was to fund practical, results-oriented programs that expand economic opportunities for women in Afghanistan by linking women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses to the broader regional economy, with an emphasis on real commercial connections rather than one-off events.
5) What kinds of outcomes did the program prioritize?
The notice emphasized creating concrete linkages and competitive advantages for Afghan women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses, especially through market-facing activities that lead to sustained commercial relationships and stronger long-term support systems.
6) What were the four proposal themes applicants were asked to design around?
Applicants were asked to design proposals around four themes:
- Improving the Business Environment for Women
- Accessing Finance
- Expanding Markets through Trade
- Building Capacity through Business Associations, Mentoring, and Internships
7) What did "Improving the Business Environment for Women" focus on?
This theme focused on reducing barriers that make it harder for women to start, formalize, and grow businesses, including constraints related to regulations, market access, networks, or business services.
8) What did the "Accessing Finance" theme aim to support?
This theme targeted efforts that help women entrepreneurs and enterprises obtain capital or financial tools. The notice indicated this could include approaches that improve financial literacy, strengthen readiness to work with lenders or investors, or expand access to appropriate financial products.
9) What did "Expanding Markets through Trade" emphasize?
This theme emphasized connecting Afghan women-owned businesses to new customers and supply chains, including cross-border trade linkages and market-entry support that increases the ability to sell beyond local markets.
10) What did "Building Capacity through Business Associations, Mentoring, and Internships" include?
This theme encouraged programs that strengthen professional networks and institutional support systems for women in business. It included structured mentoring relationships, internship pathways, and the development or reinforcement of business associations that can provide long-term support.
11) What types of activities were highlighted as good fits for funding?
Examples of activities the Department of State wanted to support included:
- Building stronger connections among women-run businesses
- Developing ideas that connect firms across borders
- Providing technical assistance that increases the use of technology
- Improving market readiness (for example, meeting buyer requirements, improving packaging and standards, and professionalizing operations)
- Facilitating exchanges between larger and smaller firms so smaller enterprises can learn how to compete and integrate into supply chains
12) Were conferences, workshops, or meetings eligible activities?
The announcement explicitly cautioned that the Department of State was not likely to fund proposals that primarily consist of conferences or meetings. This signals that standalone convenings without strong implementation and follow-through were not considered competitive.
13) What was the award size range?
Funding levels ranged from an award floor of $20,000 to an award ceiling of $250,000.
14) Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity stated there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
15) What funding instrument was used?
The funding instrument was a grant.
16) What was the activity category for this grant?
The activity category was listed as Business and Commerce, consistent with the focus on enterprise development, finance, and trade.
17) Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and cross-sector. The Embassy encouraged applications from:
- Organized civil society groups
- Private sector companies
- Local civil society representatives
- Think tanks
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Academic institutions
- Individuals
18) Could U.S.-based NGOs apply?
Yes. The announcement indicated that U.S.-based NGOs were allowed to apply.
19) Did the opportunity express any preference among eligible applicants?
Yes. The announcement indicated a preference for local Afghan NGOs or for partnership models that deliberately build Afghan organizational capacity, employ Afghan staff, and include plans to transition the work to sustainable local management over time.
20) Why did the program prefer Afghan-led or capacity-building partnerships?
Based on the notice, the preference reflects an intent to avoid short-term, externally driven programming and instead support initiatives that can be maintained and owned locally, with stronger long-term networks and institutions.
21) What was the posting date for the opportunity?
The opportunity was posted on May 23, 2012.
22) What was the application deadline?
The application closing date was July 30, 2012.
23) When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was later archived on August 29, 2012.
24) Who was the administrative contact listed for access issues and submissions?
The administrative contact was Cynthia Rafferty, Grants Manager in the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.
25) What was the program trying to avoid funding, based on the notice?
The notice warned that proposals largely made up of conferences or meetings were unlikely to be funded, suggesting the program was trying to avoid event-only programming that does not create sustained commercial linkages or measurable follow-through.
26) What did the opportunity mean by emphasizing "real commercial connections"?
Based on the description, it meant prioritizing programs that lead to practical business outcomes, such as ongoing buyer-seller relationships, supply chain integration, cross-border trade connections, and improved competitiveness, rather than isolated events that end when the event ends.
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