Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF)

Despite improvements in many areas, the living conditions of Afghans as measured by any development indicator remain among the worst in the world. Uncertainty surrounding the political (elections 2014) and security (draw-down NATO combat troops) transition significantly affected the economy and the pace of reforms. Economic growth fell sharply from an average of 9% in 2003-2011 to 1.9% of GDP in 2014. Afghanistan faces a severe fiscal crisis. State capacity improved since 2002, not least thanks to large-scale support programs such as ARTF, but remains very weak in many regards. Against this challenging backdrop, the new Government of Afghanistan (GoA) stays committed to a vision of “self-reliance” by 2025. On this ambitious path and given outstanding development challenges and the extremely weak fiscal situation, it will require sustained support by the international community.

Afghanistan reaches the Millenium Development Goals 1-5 as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular 1-9 and 16.

• Afghan population in all 34 provinces (ARTF currently reaches 22.4 million people, 48.5% of whom are female), including amongst other farmers and their families as well as school children.
• Afghan ministries (in particular: finance, education, agriculture, rural development and justice).
• 31’000 Community Development Councils.

These “target groups” are at the same time key stakeholders of ARTF.

Agriculture and rural infrastructure: Increased food security in Afghanistan. / Farmers enhance the agricultural and livestock production and productivity, while sustaining the natural resource base. / Rural people increase their access to services and markets.

Education: The Ministry of Education increases its institutional capacities at provincial and district levels.

Justice: ARTF effectively contributes to justice sector reform and access to justice.

Governance: Afghanistan’s civil service has a sustainable staff and salary structure.

Expected results:  

• Area provided with irrigation and drainage service.
• New orchards established with at least 70% survival rate.
• Adoption rate of improved technology among target farmers.
• Total amount of block grants disbursed directly to community development councils.
• Total rural roads rehabilitated and maintained rural roads.
• Number of rehabilitated or built additional class rooms at primary level.
• Number of additional qualified teachers as a result of EQUIP financing.
• The Operations and Maintenance Budget increases in line with agreed norm-based budget allocations applied in the Ministry of Education.
• Number of internal/external audits verified as done to international auditing standards.
• Number of ministries who completed pay and grading reforms.

Results from previous phases:  

This is phase 01 of the Swiss contribution but ARTF runs since 2002. ARTF reports point to past results such as (very limited snapshot):

• A 2.23 ton per hectare increase in agricultural productivity.
• 6.5 million people live within 2km of an all season road. 15’000km of rural roads have been rehabilitated and maintained.
• 6’805 classrooms constructed or rehabilitated, and 160’515 teachers trained.
• Government revenue increase by 28.3 billion Afghanis (approx. 420 mio CHF) since 2012, solid open budget index score of 59.

32 ARTF donors (list in Annex 6), United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan and United Nations Country Team.

• Swiss projects/implementing partners, particularly: Balanced Education (GIZ), Government School Support Program (AKF), all rural development projects (HSI, TdH, The Liaison Office, Iteco), Justice and Human Rights in Afghanistan and Afghanistan Subnational Governance (UNDP).
• Independent Directorate of Local Governance, Civil Service Commission.

Phase 1 01.11.2015 - 30.06.2018   (Completed)