A nationally led platform for
Afghanistan's NGOs

WASL Afghanistan's history, mission, commitments, governance structure and geographical coverage — set out in full.

About WASL

An incubation and coordinating hub for Afghanistan's NGOs

WASL Afghanistan is an NGO incubation and coordinating hub dedicated to strengthening Afghanistan NGOs through structured institutional support, coordination, advocacy, compliance assistance, strategic partnerships, and sustainable capacity development. It serves as a bridge between local organizations, development partners, and stakeholders to enhance effectiveness, transparency, and long-term impact within the civil society ecosystem.

As a neutral, inclusive, and member-driven platform, WASL Afghanistan works to create an enabling environment where Afghanistan NGOs can operate effectively, collaborate meaningfully, and contribute to resilient, accountable, and community-centered development across Afghanistan. The platform promotes localization, organizational growth, and collective action by supporting both emerging and established NGOs through tailored services and ecosystem-wide coordination.

Who we are

وصل means connection. It is also the whole of our mandate.

WASL Afghanistan is a nationally led NGO coordination, incubation, and institutional strengthening platform established in 2020 to enhance the resilience, sustainability, and collective effectiveness of NGOs across Afghanistan. As one of the country’s largest NGO networks, it connects around 790 member organizations across all 34 provinces through an inclusive, decentralized system representing diverse groups, including women-led, youth-led, disability-led, and returnee-led organizations.

Vision, mission & core values

What we are working towards, and how we work

Our vision

A cohesive and accountable NGO sector delivering sustainable impact across Afghanistan.

Our mission

To strengthen, coordinate, and support NGOs through an integrated platform that enhances capacity, compliance, collaboration, and effective humanitarian and development action in Afghanistan.

Integrity, neutrality and accountability

Inclusion, diversity and women's leadership

Collaboration, collective representation and knowledge sharing

Community-centred and sustainable development

Our partners and stakeholders

Connected across sectors. Building stronger partnerships.

WASL believes that stronger national organizations require a connected ecosystem of partners, knowledge, resources and opportunities.

Universities & Academic Institutions

Media Platforms

Ulama Associations & Think Tanks

Private Sector

Chambers of Commerce & Business Networks

Clusters, Working Groups & Coordination Platforms

Donors & Development Partners

United Nations Agencies

National & International NGOs

Our 5 year strategic vision

From Local Strength to Lasting Impact

2025–2030

Over the next five years, WASL Afghanistan is entering a new phase of institutional growth and impact.

Deliver Quality & Impact at Scale

Build Community Resilience

Strengthen WASL as an Institution

Advance Local Leadership & Partnerships

Lead with Data, Evidence & Innovation

Diversify Resources & Strengthen Sustainability

Why WASL

Stronger Organizations. Greater Opportunities. Local Leadership.

Afghanistan's national and local organizations bring deep contextual knowledge, community trust and years of experience.

Localization Needs Infrastructure

Beyond Training

Access to Opportunities

Stronger Connections

Greater Local Leadership

Accountability & Quality

Operational commitments

Fourteen commitments we hold ourselves to

These are the standards WASL applies to its own conduct and asks of its members — the practical expression of our core values.

Localization & national ownership

Coordination & collective action

Accountability, transparency & integrity

Safeguarding, PSEAH & protection

Gender equality & women's leadership

Inclusion, diversity & accessibility

Capacity strengthening & excellence

Partnerships & collaborative development

Knowledge, learning & innovation

Community engagement & accountability

Environmental sustainability

Data protection & ethical information

Anti-fraud & compliance

Do no harm & conflict sensitivity

Our team

People with Purpose. United for Impact.

The WASL team brings together professionals with deep experience in humanitarian action, development, capacity strengthening, governance, localization, research, partnerships and organizational development.

We come from diverse backgrounds across Afghanistan, connected by a shared commitment to strengthening national and local organizations and advancing local leadership.

A dedicated team of experienced professionals committed to strengthening civil society, enhancing NGO effectiveness, and advancing sustainable development across Afghanistan.

Collaborative

We believe in teamwork, respect and shared leadership.

Accountable

We uphold transparency, responsibility and professional integrity.

Inclusive

We value diversity, equal opportunity and local voices.

Committed

We are committed to local leadership and sustainable change.

Solution-Oriented

We focus on practical solutions that create real impact.

Leadership Team

MM
Madina Mahboobi
Executive Director
MC
Mark Choonoo
Country Coordinator
SA
Saira Amiri
Director — Programs
NR
Nimatullah Rahi
Director — Operations
NH
Nargis Hashimi
Director — Partnerships & Resource Mobilization

Get in touch

Request a meeting with our team

We welcome opportunities to connect, collaborate, and discuss potential partnerships, coordination initiatives, organizational development needs, and other matters related to humanitarian and development work in Afghanistan.

Governance & inclusion frameworks

How WASL is governed, and who it is for

Annex 1

Governance Framework

The governance structure comprises the General Assembly, Board of Directors, Steering Committee and Board of Management — each with a distinct role in oversight, strategic direction, coordination and operational management. The Steering Committee of 15 elected male and female representatives serves fixed one-year terms, ensuring regular renewal of leadership, accountability and inclusive representation.

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Annex 2

Inclusion Framework

WASL is committed to promoting inclusion, equity, accessibility and meaningful participation for all. We strive to ensure that women, youth, persons with disabilities, returnees and other underrepresented groups have equitable access to opportunities, resources and decision-making. Through inclusive and locally led approaches, WASL fosters a stronger, more representative and resilient civil society sector across Afghanistan.

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Success stories

Coordination, in practice

Institutional development

Building stronger institutions

WASL supported 18 emerging and provincial NGOs through a tailored institutional strengthening programme focused on governance, systems and accountability.

Institutional growth

Helping emerging NGOs grow

Through the NGO Incubation Hub, emerging organisations received structured mentoring, governance, compliance and M&E support to reach grant readiness.

National engagement

Dialogue into collective action

WASL transformed member consultations into one of the country's most inclusive coordination processes, holding roundtables across the regions.

QuickBooks training

QuickBooks financial excellence

WASL organised QuickBooks Financial Management Training for finance professionals from member organisations across the country.

Operational compliance & risk management

Responsible Operations. Strong Systems. Managed Risk.

WASL operates in a complex and evolving environment where strong compliance, risk management, accountability and operational controls are essential to maintaining trust and delivering responsibly.

Our compliance framework covers

Governance
Finance
Procurement
Human Resources
Safeguarding & PSEAH
Anti-Fraud & Anti-Corruption
Conflict of Interest
Whistleblowing
Data Protection
Partnership Due Diligence
Code of Conduct
Accountability
Security
Risk Management

Transparency & accountability

Open. Responsible. Accountable.

Transparency and accountability are central to how WASL operates, manages resources, works with members and builds relationships with partners and stakeholders.

Transparent Governance

Financial Transparency

Accountability to Our Members

Accountability to Partners & Donors

Feedback, Complaints & Reporting

Transparency Through Information

Learning & Continuous Improvement

Geographical coverage

Nationwide presence across all 34 provinces

WASL operates nationwide, with presence and engagement across every province of Afghanistan — ensuring inclusive coordination and equitable support to civil society actors throughout the country.

34Provinces covered

400Districts covered