Entrepreneurship Program Expands Opportunity in Afghanistan

Ascend’s Entrepreneurship Program in Afghanistan is helping women turn ideas into income and ambition into action. In its first year, the program has already served 270 women, equipping participants with the skills, tools, and confidence needed to start or grow their own businesses.

Delivered in partnership with the University of Central Asia (UCA), the program began as a one-month course and has since expanded to two months of training to allow for deeper learning and practical application. Participants gain foundational business knowledge—including financial planning, market analysis, and business strategy—while also receiving mentorship to help refine their ideas and navigate the challenges of launching or expanding a business.

Women in the program are pursuing a wide range of ventures, including poultry farms, mushroom cultivation, handicrafts, embroidery, tailoring, and even small art galleries. For many participants, entrepreneurship offers a pathway to economic stability—not only for themselves, but also for their families and communities. When women earn income and build businesses, they contribute to household resilience, support children’s education, and create opportunities for others.

The impact is already visible. Recently, eight Ascend participants successfully competed for and won business grants, providing critical funding to help launch or grow their enterprises.

Momentum continues to build. In March, the program launched its eighth cohort, welcoming 40 more women who are beginning their journey toward economic independence and leadership within their communities.

Through initiatives like this, Ascend is helping ensure that women not only imagine new possibilities—but have the skills and support to achieve them.