National Unity Project

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan is pleased to announce an open competition for eligible organizations to submit applications for a project to execute a campaign that promotes national unity, inclusiveness, accountability, and transparency in support of the peace process. PAS seeks proposals that include public in-person and virtual activities that promote the Afghan peace and reconciliation process. This project will mobilize Afghan citizens at a critical juncture in their history, in anticipation of a peace settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban. The aim of the campaign is to remind Afghans what they have in common and what unites them as a polity. This national unity campaign will celebrate Afghan national identity and shared Afghan values. To foster a renewed sense of common Afghan identity the project will involve all groups, individuals, tribes, demographics, and ethnicities. It will reframe Afghan national identity to strengthen social bonds and promote unity among the Afghan people around the peace and peacebuilding process. It will work to undercut the narrative of despair by highlighting a positive sense of Afghan identity. The project will emphasize inclusiveness and an Afghan identity that is grounded in tradition while also acknowledging diversity, the positive impact of economic development, increased educational opportunities, and the need for adaptation for the future. The project will use aspects of Afghanistan’s history and culture to use stories to educate the public and create empathy towards others. Project activities will encourage Afghans to become catalysts for positive change in society and to promote peaceful reconciliation in their communities and acknowledge the contributions of especially women and youth. Activities should be multi-lingual and engage the public not only in Dari and in Pashto, but they might also engage local populations in their tribal languages.