Increase Girls' Access to Athletics

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 to carry out a project that will use sports as a platform to develop critical life and leadership skills and empower young women and girls to be a force for positive change. Based on funding availability, this cooperative agreement will provide funding to increase girls’ participation in sports and physical fitness in Afghanistan. The recipient should partner with local communities and/or schools to create a safe outdoor space for over 600 girls ages 15-18 per year to engage in activities such as local sports groups, cross-country marathons, and inter-regional sports events to help women reclaim public space and develop the ability to work in a team and the confidence to lead. Proposed projects must also include the following three components: 1) Inclusion of women and girls with disabilities, 2) Gender-based Violence (GBV) education and prevention, and 3) Ensuring sustainability of the program. Competitive candidates will have a history of promoting girls’ access to athletics in countries in conflict and will describe how discussion of topics such as leadership, teamwork, and female role models in athletics will be woven into programming. Based on funding availability, PAS intends to issue one or more awards for up to a period of 36 months.