The AFGP will support grant projects that advance the following priorities of the U.S. Ambassador in Pakistan. These priorities may change during the implementation of the AFGP, contingent upon the priorities set forth by each new U.S. Ambassador. As of January 2018, the five AFGP priority areas are:
AFGP Priority Areas
Empowering Vulnerable Populations:
Grant applications must be designed to empower vulnerable populations, such as persons with disabilities, widows, orphans, the elderly, religious and ethnic minorities, victims of violence, street children, displaced persons, and other vulnerable groups. Grant activities may include technical assistance for institutional strengthening of the grant applicant, advocacy, and communication, among other activities.
Encouraging Social Entrepreneurship:
Grant applications must be designed to provide support to or formation of social enterprises to address economic or social problems through innovative, sustainable, and scalable business opportunities. Grant applicants, including small businesses across a variety of sectors, should apply commercial strategies to maximize improvements in human, social and environmental well-being. Grant funds may be used to provide technical assistance and to purchase small pieces of equipment, production materials and supplies. NOTE: Most agricultural production activities are not appropriate for AFGP grants. However, grant projects may include small cottage agro-processing activities that add value to agricultural products.
Developing Small-Scale Energy Solutions:
Grant applications must be designed to improve access of remote and underserved areas to alternative and renewable energy solutions. Activities should not only emphasize renewable energy sources for generating livelihoods and improving quality of life, but also contribute to easing pressure on existing energy infrastructure. NOTE: USAID regulations restricting construction under grants (ADS 303.3.30) and Mission Order 200.8, “Construction and Oversight Procedures,” dated 12/10/2013, severely limit the parameters of this sector of grants. The AFGP will support technical assistance and equipment that will not require any structural support, alteration or renovation of existing structures for its installation, as defined in the USAID referenced documents above. Examples of exempted equipment or supplies include hand-held solar lamps and energy-efficient bulbs.
Promoting Culture and the Arts:
Grant applications must be designed to preserve key components of Pakistan’s rich heritage while creating income for host communities. Projects can preserve languages and dialects, cuisine, aesthetics (art, music, dances, and fashion), architecture, and traditional recreational activities, such as festivals and sporting events. Grant funds may be used to provide technical assistance, materials and supplies for cultural events, institutional strengthening for grantees and for communication. NOTE: Construction activities, as defined in the USAID documents above, will not be funded. Work on the preservation of historic sites, for example, would be excluded. USAID will comply with all applicable laws and UNESCO conventions during the design and implementation of these grants, where applicable.
Improving Disaster Preparedness
Grant applications must be designed to support community-based projects that prepare communities to respond to natural disasters, improve their resilience and enhance their ability to compliment government disaster relief efforts. Grant funds may be used to provide technical assistance, equipment and supplies, institutional strengthening for grantees, communication, planning, and workshops. NOTE: Construction activities, as defined in the USAID documents above, will not be funded.