Civil Society

Thematic Goal

Cultivate an inclusive, competent, and sustainable civil society ecosystem to drive sustainable development, prioritizing youth, women, and marginalized group participation.

The Context

AKRSP has historically played a pivotal role in social mobilization, empowering grassroots institutions for community-led development. Through the establishment of Village and Women Organizations (V/WOs), AKRSP has facilitated community self-organization, financial resilience, capacity building, and the implementation of needs-driven projects. This foundational work catalyzed the emergence of Local Support Organizations (LSOs), which serve as coordinating bodies, amplifying the collective impact of multiple V/WOs.

AKRSP’s strategic approach extends to strengthening the broader civil society ecosystem, with a particular emphasis on fostering the active participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups.

AKRSP’s civil society strategy is intrinsically linked to its broader programmatic objectives, focusing on enhancing institutional capacity and ensuring organizational sustainability. These strengthened civil society entities act as crucial intermediaries between communities and external stakeholders, facilitating the articulation and addressing of community needs and aspirations through localized ownership, accountability, and sustainable impact.

“I believe that civil society is one of the most powerful forces in our time, one that will become an increasingly universal influence, engulfing more countries, influencing, reshaping and sometimes even replacing ineffective regimes. And I also believe that civil society around the world should be vigorously encouraged and wisely nurtured by those who have made it work most successfully.”

His Highness the Aga Khan IV

Address to both Houses of the Parliament of Canada,Ottawa, 27 February 2014

Key Intervention Areas

Improving capacities of civil society organisations

Providing financial and technical support to civil society organisations

Promoting CBSGs for women in remote areas

Strengthening linkages between civil society organisations and local government

Achievements & Impacts:

Since its inception, AKRSP has been a leading force in cultivating a robust, inclusive, and resilient civil society landscape in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. By pioneering the V/WO model, AKRSP has empowered communities to drive their own development, strengthening local decision-making, collective action, savings mobilization, and the execution of community-identified projects. The evolution of LSOs from these grassroots initiatives exemplifies the sustained impact of AKRSP’s interventions.

AKRSP has now expanded its focus beyond V/WOs and LSOs to encompass the broader Civil Society ecosystem, prioritising the inclusion of youth, women, marginalised populations and Environmental Sustainability. By promoting inclusive governance and strengthening institutional capacities, AKRSP has demonstrably improved livelihoods and enhanced overall quality of life. This community-driven development model serves as a sustainable and replicable framework for other regions.