EU Allocates 10M Euro to Support Women's Empowerment in Afghanistan

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 28 January 2026

• The EU has allocated €10 million to fund Phase 2 of the WE-LEAD Programme in Afghanistan
• The Programme aims to empower women through the creation and support of local businesses

To implement the second phase of the Women's Economic Empowerment through Local Enterprise Development initiative launched by the European Union (EU), the EU has committed to contribute €10 million.

The funding will assist Afghan women in overcoming obstacles when they attempt to enter and remain employed. Barriers such as; financial, social, economic constraints that limit their ability to work.

Furthermore, this investment will create employment opportunities for Afghan women and support them as they embark on their new journeys toward achieving financial independence.

The WE-LEAD initiative will provide Afghan women with an alternative way to earn an income and access to financial services to be able to start a business, and access to business development services, business advisors, and the chance to network with others.

Fariba Noori, Executive Director of the Afghan Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, states that donors must assist entrepreneurs (financially or as a result) because it is essential that they provide similar assistance so that women can provide for their families.

Many women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan commented that the WE-LEAD program would be a very helpful service for women who are struggling financially.

They also stated that the government needs to create lasting opportunities for women to establish and develop companies.

Asma Sharifi is a woman entrepreneur who stated that women are an important aspect of the economy and that they will need either government or donor support in order to achieve success within the economy.

Zainab, another woman entrepreneur, remarked that in order to flourish, businesses will require funding and that businesses will also require continued financial support through ongoing partnerships with the government in order to preserve their viability.

The European Union also formalized an agreement with UNDP to implement the WE-LEAD project in selected economically depressed districts of Afghanistan. The EU also announced it will provide €126 million for humanitarian assistance as well as to promote stability in Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.