Foundation for Culture and Civil Society
The Afghan Foundation for Culture and Civil Society "was established in March 2003 as an independent social organization by a group of Afghans concerned with the fate of Afghan culture and the strengthening of Afghan civil society. Its board member include senior member of the Academy of Sciences, the Human Rights Commission , the Judiciary, members of artists' and research organization of Kabul University, and the Director of the National Museum.
"The foundation is registered with the Ministry of Justice as an independent social foundation. Its staff is fully Afghan, although it benefits from the advice given by foreigners. The Chairman, Mir Ahmad Joyenda, is a veteran in government and international agency work and has wide experience in culture and research activities. The headquarters are in a historic building in the center of Kabul, where it can accommodate up to 300 people in its weekly socio-cultural events.
"The Foundation's main objective is to become a focal point for all activities promoting modern Afghan culture and the strengthening of civil society. It is at once a motor for national development, within the framework of the peace process and national reconstruction efforts, and a bridge to the rest of the artistic and intellectual communities of Afghanistan.
"The Foundation has received core support from The World Bank and Open Society Institute, and is negotiating a 2.5 million Euro contract with the European Commission for the implementation of a nationwide small grants program to support local culture and civil society initiatives. It has received funds its projects from UNAMA, Swiss Development and Cooperation, Oxfam-Navib,the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, the Embassies of Norway and of the Netherlands." [1]
