Avesta Initiative for Higher Learning

Our programs are specifically designed to address the barriers to education, the cumulative trauma faced by Afghan youth, and the risk of intergenerational despair. Each initiative focuses on restoring access to learning, providing support, and fostering resilience.

• Digital Learning Access Fund

Scholarships for online degrees and certifications from accredited institutions.

Provision of essential resources such as laptops, internet packages, and alternative energy solutions for students in remote areas, ensuring access to education despite infrastructural limitations.

• Women’s Skills and Employment Training Program

Vocational training in high-demand fields, including technology, healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship. Partnerships with career colleges and employers to provide mentorship, job placements, and hands-on learning opportunities, enabling women to achieve financial independence and professional growth.

• Avesta Scholarship Program

Full and partial scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies at regional and international universities. Ongoing mentorship and guidance for scholarship recipients to ensure academic and personal success.

• University Foundation Program

Preparatory courses in key academic subjects, designed in collaboration with international institutions, to bridge educational gaps and equip students for success in higher education. Focused support for women and youth who have experienced interruptions in their education.

• In-Country Tuition Support Program

Financial assistance for economically disadvantaged students to attend private institutions in Afghanistan where limited opportunities remain. Strengthening local educational institutions by reducing financial barriers and maintaining enrollment.

• Educational and Professional Development for Displaced and At-Risk Afghans

Tailored programs for displaced individuals, including scholarships, vocational training, and language support. Mentorship and cultural adaptation workshops to facilitate integration into new academic and professional environments.

• Advocacy for Educational Rights

Collaboration with local and international stakeholders to address systemic barriers. Campaigns to promote global awareness of Afghanistan’s educational crisis and advocate for policy reforms.

• Trauma-Informed Support Programs

Integration of mental health services, including counseling and resilience-building workshops, into all education and training initiatives. Establishing peer support networks to foster emotional well-being and a sense of community among participants.

• Global University Partnerships

Securing admissions, scholarships, and exchange opportunities for Afghan students at international institutions. Providing logistical support for travel, visas, and cultural preparation to ensure smooth transitions.

• One-Stop Resource Hub

A centralized platform offering information on scholarships, mentorship, and career opportunities. Guidance on navigating academic pathways and overcoming bureaucratic, financial, and logistical barriers

Afghanistan’s youth, particularly women, are living through a profound educational, social, and psychological crisis shaped by decades of conflict, instability, and systemic exclusion. The complete ban on higher education for women—following years of progress—has extinguished hopes for empowerment, self-determination, and economic independence. For men, the erosion of academic quality and opportunities limits their ability to envision or achieve brighter futures.

This crisis does not exist in isolation. It is the culmination of a history marked by war, displacement, and entrenched poverty, which has left countless young Afghans with the burden of unaddressed trauma. The current situation—where hopes and ambitions are systematically denied—adds layers of psychological harm. These experiences of collective despair risk solidifying into intergenerational trauma, perpetuating cycles of hopelessness, exclusion, and dependency.

Without urgent intervention, Afghanistan risks losing an entire generation of potential leaders, professionals, and changemakers. The ripple effects will extend far beyond the present, as the emotional scars of today’s youth are passed on to future generations, eroding social cohesion, resilience, and the very foundation of progress.