Education

When opportunity disappears, talent does not. In Mazar-i-Sharif, many young Afghan women have the talent and determination to build businesses but lack safe access to training and opportunity. The Afghan Women’s Enterprise Initiative is a hands-on business development program guiding women from idea to income through practical training in business planning, pricing, marketing, and financial literacy. Each participant leaves with a realistic, launch-ready business plan designed for sustainable, home-based income. Your support funds training, mentorship, and a safe learning space.

Afghan Women’s Enterprise Program
Setting Up Female Entrepreneurs for Success in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan
Campaign Goal: $4,000
My name is Nilofar Azimi. I’m from Mazar-e-Sharif, one of Afghanistan’s major northern cities, located approximately 425 kilometers from the capital, Kabul. I have received support from Aseel and my past employer - a small U.S. nonprofit - to help me with something I am extremely passionate about: helping Afghan women become financially self-sufficient. Here in Mazar-e-Sharif, thousands of women have tangible skills that can support them and their families. Some are tailors who create beautiful clothing. Others bake traditional Afghan foods, produce handicrafts, or provide beauty services from their homes. Yet many of these women remain completely financially dependent—not because they lack talent, determination, or ambition, but because they don’t know the first thing about running a business.&nbsp;
My goal is to use my experience and network of US contacts to make a real, structured difference for our community. Over the past several months I have spoken with and interviewed more than 50 women and young girls in Balkh Province to better understand their challenges, aspirations, and business goals. The message was consistent: "I have the skill, but I don't know how to turn it into a business." Many women told me they do not know how to price their products, calculate costs, attract customers, market their services, or create a business plan. Some have already tried earning income from home but struggle to grow beyond occasional sales to relatives and neighbors. I know talent and motivation exists, what is missing is practical business knowledge, confidence, and access to basic startup resources.
That is why I created Afghan Women’s Enterprise Program.
Our Vision We believe that when women gain the knowledge, tools, and confidence to start their own businesses, they do more than increase their income. They strengthen their families. They invest in their children's future. They become leaders in their communities. And they contribute to local economic growth.
The Program The Afghan Women’s Enterprise Program is an 8-week entrepreneurship and business development program for 20 women in Mazar-e-Sharif. Participants will attend practical training sessions led by a female trainer in a safe and supportive learning environment. The program combines business education, mentorship, practical workshops, and startup support to help participants launch real businesses.
Participants will learn: 1. Entrepreneurship fundamentals 2. Business idea development 3. Market research and customer needs 4. Financial literacy and money management 5. Costing and pricing strategies 6. Marketing and branding 7. Customer communication and sales 8. Business planning 9. Goal setting and business growth 10. Launch preparation and business management
 Participants will choose one of four business pathways: 🧵 Tailoring &amp; Clothing Production 🍪 Food Production &amp; Home-Based&nbsp; 🎨 Handicrafts &amp; Handmade Products 💇 Beauty &amp; Personal Care Services
All four categories were selected because they require low startup costs, can be operated from home, and already match the skills many Afghan women possess.
Each Participant Will Also Receive: ✅ A complete business plan (personally reviewed by me) ✅ Training materials and resources ✅ Approximately $120 worth of startup tools and equipment
The startup support package will be customized according to each participant's business category.
For example: Tailors may receive sewing-related supplies and materials. Food entrepreneurs may receive baking or food-production tools. Etc…
This ensures that women leave the program with the practical tools needed to take action.
Budget Breakdown ($4,000)
Startup Support — $120 startup tools and equipment package for each of 20 participants ($2,400 total)
Training Materials &amp; Stationery Kits — $15 each for 8 weeks ($300 total) -Business planning workbooks -Notebooks -Pens and entrepreneurship workbooks -Training handouts and product pricing sheets&nbsp;
Trainer Fees &amp; Mentorship Support — $20 each for 8 weeks ($400 total) -Entrepreneurship trainer compensation -Individual participant coaching -Business plan review and support
Training Venue &amp; Logistics — $12.5 each for 8 weeks ($250 total) Learning space costs Program coordination
Refreshments - tea, cakes, light Refreshments — $10 each for 8 weeks ($200 total)
Monitoring, Evaluation &amp; Reporting — $7.5 each for 8 weeks ($150 total) Participant assessments Follow-up tracking Impact reporting Documentation&nbsp;
Transport support to each participant — $250 over 8 weeks Contingency — $50
Total Budget: $4,000
 These women need mentorship. And they need the tools to take the first step. With your support, 20 Afghan women will gain the knowledge, confidence, and startup resources needed to build sustainable businesses, support their families, and create brighter futures for themselves and their children. We are really excited to give back to this community who has been through so much. Please consider donating to this cause and be a part of making this dream a reality. We can't wait to share the progress from our community once we reach our fundraising goal and can get started with the program.&nbsp;
Thank you for reading and considering helping with our cause,&nbsp;
Nilofar Azimi

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