UNITAR Wraps Up Afghan Women, Youth Entrepreneurship Program

• The third and last phase of UNITAR's "Food and Economic Security through Entrepreneurship Training for Women and Youth in Afghanistan" programme was successfully conducted in Kabul from 22 to 26 February 2025.
• A total of 80 young entrepreneurs-50 women and 30 men-from 18 provinces across Afghanistan participated in the workshop.
• Funded by the Government and People of Japan, the training ran from August 2024 to February 2025, aiming to equip participants with financial and entrepreneurial skills to enhance food security and economic stability in their communities.

14 April 2025, Kabul, Afghanistan - The third phase of UNITAR's " Food and Economic Security through Entrepreneurship Training for Women and Youth in Afghanistan " was held in Kabul from February 22 to 26, 2025, bringing together 80 promising young entrepreneurs from diverse sectors, including the private sector, local NGOs and civil society, UN agencies, international organizations, and academia.

This 5-day workshop focused on business operationalization, welcoming 50 female and 30 male participants selected from two prior online phases. Representing 18 provinces across Afghanistan, they were trained in critical business skills to strengthen their ventures and contribute to economic recovery.

The programme was made possible by the funding of the Government and the People of Japan.

Since the first phase started in August 2024, the programme has engaged 2,158 individuals from all 34 provinces in Afghanistan, providing tailored training courses aligned with their current business environment.

Eighty young entrepreneurs selected from the first two phases proceeded to the third phase, where they learned in-depth skills relating to entrepreneurship.

The curriculum for phase three covered key topics, including:

• Budgeting and Resource Allocation for MSMEs
• Business Models and Market Research
• Competitive Analysis and Strategic Planning
• Leadership and Decision-Making
• Agile Business Planning and Management

Throughout the training, participants gained practical insights into structuring and delivering effective business pitches. Working collaboratively in groups, they developed innovative business ideas, focusing on key components such as problem identification, solution development, market opportunity analysis, and revenue generation strategies. Their innovative solutions hold significant potential for local job creation, economic resilience, and sustainable entrepreneurship amid the country's challenging financial landscape.

A special emphasis was placed on financial forecasting and break-even analysis, equipping participants with the skills to assess their ventures' financial viability. By understanding cost structures, projected revenues, and profitability timelines, they developed essential competencies for long-term business sustainability. Additionally, they strengthened their ability to effectively communicate their investment needs, strategic goals, and competitive advantages.

The interactive workshop enhanced their entrepreneurial and financial literacy and improved their teamwork, decision-making, and public speaking skills, all critical competencies for navigating Afghanistan's evolving business landscape.

This programme was a turning point in my professional life. It gave me hope again and equipped me with the confidence to design a business that contributes to food security in my province. ーFarida Mohammadi, UNITAR Training Participant (Bamyan, Afghanistan)

Through UNITAR, I was able to turn a local resource, pistachios, into a product ready for the global market. The programme helped me shape and connect my business strategy to real-world needs. ーJamaluddin Ikhlas, UNITAR Training Participant (Paktia, Afghanistan)

This initiative represents a significant step toward fostering a new generation of Afghan entrepreneurs driving economic growth and innovation despite ongoing challenges.