TAGHEER

At TAGHEER, our recent end-line evaluation of a multi-sector humanitarian response in Afghanistan uncovered a finding that should make every humanitarian practitioner pause.

tagheer@change — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 06:33:54 +0000

Despite high levels of beneficiary satisfaction, more than one-third of interviewed households reported that the assistance they received was helpful, but not their highest priority need. The message from communities was clear: delivering aid is not enough if programmes are not continuously aligned with evolving realities on the ground.

The evaluation revealed a striking contrast. While access to services improved, perceptions of safety and dignity increased, and communities benefited, many households still faced challenges related to livelihoods, water security, and long-term resilience. In several locations, communities emphasized that consultation before and during implementation could have significantly improved the relevance and impact of assistance.

Perhaps the most important lesson is that humanitarian success should not be measured only by the number of people reached, but by how well interventions respond to community priorities and whether the benefits can be sustained after projects end. The evaluation highlighted the need for stronger community engagement, adaptive programming, accountable feedback mechanisms, and greater investment in local capacities and systems that remain long after humanitarian actors leave.

As Afghanistan continues to face complex humanitarian and recovery challenges, future interventions must place communities at the center of decision-making. Listening to people, adapting to changing needs, and building pathways toward resilience may be the difference between assistance that is merely delivered and assistance that truly transforms lives.

TAGHEER #Evaluation #HumanitarianAction #Afghanistan #MonitoringAndEvaluation #CommunityEngagement #Accountability #Learning #Resilience #EvidenceBasedProgramming

How do you safely evaluate and scale education in the world’s most restrictive environments?

tagheer@change — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 06:32:32 +0000

At TAGHEER, we recently concluded a feasibility assessment of non-formal education programs serving excluded youth in highly complex, resource-constrained contexts.

Our research team sit directly with learners, facilitators, educators, and implementers. By triangulating these lived realities against hard operational data, we verified that community demand for learning is still high despite the lack of formal recognition, on-ward formal education, and to land in the job market.

To advise international donors on how to safely invest and scale, we delivered 3 core strategies:
1. Community Ownership is absolute must for sustainability: Programs should institutionalize and fund local elder councils to negotiate safe spaces and manage / minimize risk.
2. Contextualize, Don’t Conceal: Instead of “hiding” modern subjects behind culturally accepted ones, programs must seamlessly blend them to keep local gatekeepers supportive and learners deeply engaged.
3. The “Scale, Build, Pilot” Framework: Not all initiatives are ready for mass expansion. We categorized the portfolio by advising partners on what to scale immediately, what to structurally rebuild, and what to hold for careful action-research.

At TAGHEER, we turn complex human narratives into safe investment strategies. If you are funding, designing, or evaluating programs in fragile contexts, you need a research partner who understands the nuances of the field.

Let’s connect.

#TAGHEER #EducationInEmergencies #MonitoringAndEvaluation #GirlsEducation #GlobalDevelopment #FragileContexts #CommunityEducation

If 93% of consumers prefer locally produced dairy, why are local store shelves filled with imported products?

tagheer@change — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 06:30:15 +0000

Our team at TAGHEER recently conducted a Dairy Value Chain Assessment in northeastern Afghanistan. We uncovered a classic market coordination failure.

Consumers deeply trust and prefer the taste of local village dairy. But this demand is mostly invisible in local stores / shops. Because local supply is highly seasonal, unaggregated, and lacks a functional cold chain, retailers view it as too risky, uncertain if they would be able to sell on time. Instead, they rely on imported powdered and UHT milk for year-round reliability and longer shelf life, even though imported dairy is costly / expensive!

To fix this, we don’t need highly complex regulatory overhauls. We recommended pragmatic, low-risk solutions:
– Simple, localized milk collection points (MCPs) to consolidate supply.
– Improved household-level processing and hygiene to extend shelf-life.
– Trust-based, informal supply agreements between village processors and local shopkeepers.

hashtag#EconomicDevelopment hashtag#SupplyChain hashtag#Agriculture hashtag#Dairy hashtag#TAGHEER

Recent Study on Community Based Education in Afghanistan

tagheer@change — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:41:47 +0000

TAGHEER recently completed a study on Community-Based Education (CBE), which confirms that the CBE model still remains the most viable pathway for reaching out-of-school children (OOSC), particularly girls, under current restrictions. Classes proximity was the major reason for learners’ interest, access, and attendance, with 94% reporting they feel safe attending these classes.

Economic pressure and the necessity of child labor continue to hinder consistent participation for adolescent learners. Public schools’ infrastructure seems to have improved by temporal NGOs support, but the transition from CBE classes to the public school system remains the most significant bottleneck for long-term sustainability, leaving students—particularly older girls—without a path to continue their education once project support ends.

The International community needs to continue supporting children and education in Afghanistan. They must prioritize long-term, coordinated support that bridges the gap between community classes and formal, sustainable schooling.

Key Takeaways from TAGHEER’s Recent Assessments in Afghanistan

tagheer@change — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 04:04:15 +0000

Key Takeaways from TAGHEER’s Recent Assessments in Afghanistan
Over the past few months, our team has conducted several insightful assessments and evaluations, addressing critical areas such as women’s economic empowerment, youth competency, and labor market dynamics in Afghanistan. Here are a few major findings and recommendations that we believe are pivotal for advancing socio-economic resilience and development in the country:

Market Dynamics and Key Sectors
Our recent study identified agriculture, healthcare, and IT as high-potential sectors for training and employment. Stakeholders emphasized the need for hands-on training and technical support in areas like food safety, animal health, and IT skills. We believe that building partnerships with educational institutions to offer advanced, tailored training programs can ensure alignment with market needs and boost employment rates.

Women in Business and Their Needs
We found that sectors like textiles, livestock, food processing, and beauty services are top choices for women entrepreneurs, despite challenges in vocational skills training and limited market access. We recommend that establishing training centers with both technical and soft skills and collaborating with local businesses to provide mentorship can empower more women entrepreneurs to sustain and expand their businesses.

Engaging Youth and Their Talent
The assessment revealed that only 34% of youth graduates are employed, with job creation and skills development being critical needs, especially in agriculture. We believe that investments in agricultural value chains and modern training (such as digital marketing) are essential to bridge employment gaps and promote self-sufficiency among Afghan youth.

Supporting MSMEs for Economic Growth can help. Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) remain a cornerstone for job creation but face barriers like access to capital and training. Linking MSMEs with vocational training programs, providing mentorship from experienced business owners, offering them capital, and supporting them for tax exemption up to a certain level can help MSMEs scale up, ultimately benefiting youth and women for jobs.

Partner TAGHEER if you want to learn more about Afghanistan and similar economies.

#TAGHEER #WomenEmpowerment #YouthEmployment #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityResilience #Afghanistan #CommunityEmpowerment #Sustainability

Our Recent Assessments on Women Empowerment and Youth Employment in Afghanistan

tagheer@change — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 06:03:42 +0000

At TAGHEER, we understand the pivotal role of female entrepreneurs and youth in driving Afghanistan’s economic future. Through our assessment in Kabul, Balkh, Herat, Bamiyan, Kandahar, and Nangarhar, we identified key barriers faced by women, including low literacy, resource constraints, and regulatory challenges. To tackle these issues, we recommend targeted literacy and entrepreneurship programs, as well as dedicated marketplaces and SEED funding for women-led businesses.

Our Youth Labor Market and Competency Assessment revealed that only 34% of graduates enter the workforce, underscoring a significant skills gap in agricultural value chains. Training in crop cultivation, pest management, and digital marketing can equip young entrepreneurs with the tools they need for success.

By bridging these educational gaps and fostering supportive networks, we can unlock the full potential of women and youth in Afghanistan.

In case you want to learn more about the economy and jobs in Afghanistan to create a prosperous future, TAGHEER is your trusted partner…

TAGHEER #WomenEmpowerment #YouthEntrepreneurship #EconomicDevelopment #Afghanistan

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: A Pathway to Economic Growth in Afghanistan

tagheer@change — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 09:38:54 +0000

The role of female entrepreneurs in driving economic development is undeniable, yet many women in Afghanistan face significant barriers that hinder their potential. A recent assessment conducted by TAGHEER in Kabul, Balkh, Herat, Bamiyan, Kandahar, and Nangarhar highlights critical challenges and opportunities for enhancing women’s contributions to the economy.

Many female entrepreneurs possess low levels of literacy and skills, limiting their ability to manage businesses effectively. In sectors such as textile, livestock, fashion, food processing, and agriculture, women see the potential for local manufacturing and production to capture the market; however, they struggle with limited access to resources and infrastructure. Compounding these challenges, current economic conditions and regulatory barriers further limit women’s access to business licenses and financial support.

To empower women entrepreneurs, targeted educational programs focusing on literacy and entrepreneurship are essential for building confidence and capability. Technical and vocational skills providers can play a vital role in this by investing in training initiatives that equip women with essential business skills. Establishing dedicated marketplaces for female-produced goods will promote visibility and sales, while SEED funding providers and other financial institutions can offer the necessary capital to support women-led businesses. Additionally, engaging key players in women-owned businesses can create mentorship opportunities and networks that foster collaboration and success.

Empowering women entrepreneurs is crucial for not only their success but also for Afghanistan’s economic recovery and growth. By addressing education gaps, improving market accessibility, and creating a supportive regulatory framework can unleash the full potential of women in business. Let’s work together to create a brighter economic future for all!

For comprehensive assessments in research, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, and third-party monitoring, TAGHEER has the capabilities to support your initiatives. We encourage our clients to reach out to TAGHEER (tagheer.co) for expert guidance and collaboration.

hashtag#WomenEntrepreneurs hashtag#GenderEquality hashtag#EconomicGrowth hashtag#Afghanistan hashtag#Empowerment hashtag#SustainableDevelopment hashtag#TAGHEER

Unlocking the Potential of Afghanistan’s Agriculture Sector: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship

tagheer@change — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 11:21:21 +0000

The agriculture sector in Afghanistan has vast potential for growth and job creation, with various value chains offering employment opportunities for youth. These include home gardening, food processing, herbs, cotton, and agri-products trade and export.

TAGHEER conducted a Youth Labor Market and Competency Assessment across multiple provinces in Afghanistan. We found that only 34% of youth graduates were able to step into the job market, underscoring the need for job creation initiatives. Youth in the agricultural value chains require skills development in the areas of crop cultivation, pest control, budgeting, and sales management through digital marketing to succeed. Training programs can help them start their own small businesses.

Lack of skills are compounded by gender discrimination in the sector. The sector can create jobs and promote entrepreneurship through partnerships particularly with TVET providers.

If you’re interested in learning more about Afghanistan’s job market or getting involved in initiatives that support youth employment and entrepreneurship, contact TAGHEER (www.tagheer.co) for more information. Our team of experts is happy to provide guidance and support.

#AgricultureIndustry #YouthEmployment #Entrepreneurship #JobCreation #SustainableDevelopment

At TAGHEER, we believe that understanding stakeholder needs is key to driving positive change.

tagheer@change — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 10:36:01 +0000

Our team of of M&E and experts has conducted numerous market assessments, making a significant impact in the communities we serve.

We’re currently conducting a market assessment in three provinces to identify gaps in training programs, skills development, and sectorial improvements. Our team is working closely with stakeholders to gain a deep understanding of their needs.

Our goal is to provide actionable insights that enable informed decisions and drive positive change. By partnering with us, you’ll receive expert insights and data-driven solutions to help you achieve your goals.

Stay tuned for our findings and discover how our expertise in market assessments can help drive positive change in the sectors

#TAGHEER #Assessment

Job market needs and workforce capacity gaps in Afghanistan

tagheer@change — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 10:06:43 +0000

TAGHEER’s findings on markets revealed that many employees require training to develop skills relevant to their job roles. Others include the below:

•⁠ ⁠Basic IT & media-related skills: Employees need training in basic IT and media-related skills to stay competitive in today’s digital landscape.
•⁠ ⁠Business management skills: Many employees require training in business management skills to effectively manage teams and projects.
•⁠ ⁠Training and development skills: Employees need training and development opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge.
•⁠ ⁠Budget and resources: Many businesses lack sufficient budget and resources to invest in employee training and development.
•⁠ ⁠Up-to-date knowledge: Employees need training to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in their industry.
•⁠ ⁠Literacy skills: A substantial number of employees lack basic literacy skills, hindering their ability to effectively communicate and perform tasks.

Respondents emphasized the need for enhanced training opportunities and supportive employer practices to facilitate continuous learning and professional development. They highlighted the importance of improving training quality, particularly through updated curricula and methodologies that address advanced technical skills. Additionally, recommendations were made to reduce barriers such as financial constraints and time limitations, with a specific focus on addressing gender-specific challenges to improve access for all workforce.

Our findings provide donors and international development partners with valuable insights into effective solutions for enhancing workforce capacity and optimizing training arrangements, contributing to a more robust economy in Afghanistan.

#CapacityBuilding #TrainingNeedsAssessment #EmployeeDevelopment #BusinessManagement #TrainingAndDevelopment #WorkforceDevelopment #AfghanistanDevelopment