The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a “private, not-for-profit, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967 to address some of the challenges faced by the poorest and most marginalised communities in the world.” The foundation considers itself to be largely an “implementing organization” rather than a grant-making foundation, as it also receives grant funding from development agencies, private foundations, corporations, and His Highness the Aga Khan to support initiatives. While the foundation generally invests “in human potential by expanding opportunities and improving quality of life,” projects emphasize women and girls.
The work of the foundation is framed around three general categories:
Thematic Areas and Objectives
The foundation focuses on a range of integrated, innovative and gender sensitive interventions in ‘agriculture and food security, civil society, climate resilience, early childhood development, education, health and nutrition, and work and enterprise.’ Activities are coordinated with agencies within the Aga Khan Development Network, as well as local and international partners, to leverage strengths of respective groups. Additionally, all initiatives are informed by evidence, data, local knowledge, and extensive networks of community-led institutions.
Geographical Areas of Focus
The foundation is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland: but offices in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States focus on
resource mobilization and public outreach. To date, initiatives have been undertaken in Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, the Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda. These initiatives are primarily concentrated in rural communities in mountainous, coastal, and other remote, resource-poor areas.
Learning and Evaluation
Integral to all efforts is data collection and reporting, which allows the foundation, partners, and policymakers to better understand the extent to which targets have been met and how communities are experiencing improvements in their lives.
Sample Initiatives in 2022 Emphasizing Civil Society and Economic Inclusion
The following sample of initiatives that took place in 2022 evidence the goals set by the Aga Khan Foundation for improving civil society and increasing economic inclusion.
Poultry Farms for Internally Displaced People in Northern Mozambique
The northern Mozambique province of Cabo Delgado has seen more than 700,000 people forced from their homes since 2017 due to terrorist attached and armed disruption.
To address needs, the Aga Khan Foundation has worked with 40 Village Development Organisations (VDOs) to strengthen social cohesion and identify their needs.
BRIEF
The Aga Khan Foundation
Supporting Civil Society and Economic Development
76