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Aid Policy for SCA
The policy was adopted by the SCA Annual Meeting in May 2004
INTRODUCTION
Swedish Committee for Afghanistan
Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) was formed in 1980 in protest against the Soviet Union’s occupation of Afghanistan. The purpose was to support the Afghan people’s struggle for national independence and, by efforts to affect opinion, to act for a Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan. In 1981, SCA began its fund-raising work to support those remaining in the country and, in the following year, a contribution was received from Sida (Swedish International Development Agency) for the first time. Initially, humanitarian aid comprised healthcare personnel and deliveries of pharmaceuticals. Somewhat later, educational and agricultural aid was also provided. Aid operations grew rapidly and have, over the years, developed from catastrophe aid to aid focusing more on development. Now, at the start of the new millennium, SCA is one of the largest and most experienced organisations operating in Afghanistan, employing several thousand Afghans, primarily in its education and health program, and with an annual budget well in excess of 100 million SEK.
SCA is a membership organisation. Its highest decision-making body is its annual meeting. The purpose of SCA’s operations is stated in the mission paragraph in the organisation’s statutes.
According to the statutes, SCA is independent from political and religious organisations both in Sweden and abroad.
Summary of experiences
During SCA’s presence, more than 20 years, Afghanistan has been characterised by war and conflict. During this period, the country has more or less lacked central government. Periodically, SCA’s efforts have been conducted under extremely difficult conditions with regard to safety and logistics. Despite this, it has largely been possible to complete measures, to the benefit of the Afghan people. One factor contributing to SCA’s success under these difficult conditions is its investment in decentralised operations rooted in the local community. SCA has also invested extensively in developing the expertise of its Afghan personnel.
Since there is no functional national healthcare structure, SCA has maintained a healthcare system (sometimes in collaboration with other players) that has granted millions of Afghans certain, although limited basic healthcare. In recent years, SCA has drilled wells for drinking water and constructed latrines as part of its health programme. SCA has been one of few players to work with support for the disabled. For a long time, SCA has shouldered the responsibility for the overwhelming majority of aid in education. Educational aid has fulfilled an important social, political and democratic function. The agricultural programme previously played a central role but today forms a small part of SCA’s operations in terms of volume.
In Sweden, SCA has more than 20 years of experience of information and fundraising work. Over the years, SCA has contributed to a strong commitment to Afghanistan among the Swedish public and has achieved favourable collection results in support of aid and development cooperation.
Background and purpose of the policy
Since 1991, SCA has maintained an aid policy, which was revised in 1996. The intention of the new policy is to develop a steering document applicable throughout the organisation and all of its operations, and not only to development cooperation in Afghanistan. The sections dealing with the latter are largely based on SCA’s previous aid policy.
The purpose of SCA’s policy is to provide guiding principles for SCA’s operations. The policy forms the ideological foundation upon which all operations shall be built. The principles expressed in the policy shall then be made concrete in strategies, objectives and plans of action. The policy can be expected to apply for five to seven years but should be reviewed after three years.
SCA’S ROLE IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF AFGHANISTAN
Development cooperation
SCA works for reconstruction and development in Afghanistan by conducting development cooperation and supporting capacity development, primarily in the area of education, healthcare and aid to the disabled. SCA’s support to Afghanistan clearly involves cooperation for development, that is, aid in which the Afghans themselves play an important role.
Contribution to peace and democracy
SCA strives to conduct its operations in a manner conducive to peace and democracy in Afghanistan in accordance with the principles of humanitarian international law. SCA supports an independent Afghanistan with a democratic social development and is opposed to all foreign intervention in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. SCA shall contribute to economic and social development characterised by equality. Efforts shall be directed to support the population in its efforts to find earning opportunities independent of trade in narcotics and other criminal economies.
SCA’S VALUES
Solidarity and knowledge
Solidarity with the Afghan people is fundamental to SCA’s aid to Afghanistan and shall pervade both development work and efforts to affect opinion. The organisation shall be characterised by knowledge and expertise, necessary prerequisites for the practical exercise of solidarity. SCA views a broadly rooted membership movement as a guarantee for a long-term Swedish commitment to Afghanistan.
Human rights and equality
SCA’s efforts are guided by the UN conventions, starting with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948. In particular, the rights of women and children are to be prioritised. These rights are set out in the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of Children.
Respect for Afghan culture and religion
SCA’s support for the Afghan people is built on knowledge and respect for Afghan culture and religion.
Poverty perspective
SCA shall design its activities in Afghanistan to primarily benefit the poor and under privileged.
SCA’s WORKING PRINCIPLES
Public participation
SCA’s operations shall be characterised by the principle of public participation and democracy, entailing the ambition that members, employees and the affected target groups in Afghanistan shall be committed and involved.
Public participation provides increased sustainability and efficiency in development cooperation while also promoting democratic social development and may also be a means by which increased equality can be achieved.
SCA’s development efforts shall be conducted in close collaboration with the local community and its organisations. The target group shall be encouraged to participate in needs analyses, planning, implementation and the evaluation of the support. Special efforts shall be made to involve and mobilise women, with the ambition of strengthening their position in society. Where possible, recipients shall contribute to operations financially or through their labour.
Equality
SCA is working to integrate equality between women and men throughout the organisation. All operations shall be pervaded by the equality perspective – from needs analyses and implementation to reporting, review and evaluation.
Cooperation
SCA should be prepared to organise its operations under Afghan authorities if this is reconcilable with SCA’s values and principles. It is SCA’s ambition to act as an advisor to Afghan institutions when requested, to strengthen their capacity.
SCA shall coordinate its efforts with other organisations and donors with the purpose of improving the collective support to the country. SCA shall collaborate with organisations offering expertise of relevance to SCA.
In Sweden, SCA seeks to cooperate with other organisations to increase the Swedish public’s knowledge about, and commitment to, Afghanistan.
In cooperation with Afghan authorities, and with organisations in Afghanistan and Sweden, SCA shall actively convey its values, primarily on human rights and equality.
Impartiality
Impartiality in relation to political, religious and ethnic groups is a guiding light in SCA’s operations, particularly in the planning and placement of development programmes. However, the principle of impartiality does not entail any limitation to SCA’s right to take a stance and direct criticism at governments, authorities or groups contravening the basic values for which SCA stands.
Conflict prevention
SCA’s efforts shall be designed to prevent conflict and promote cooperation between various groupings at a local level in Afghanistan.
Consideration for the environment
SCA strives to pay the greatest possible consideration to the environment in its operations both in Afghanistan and Sweden.
Quality assurance
SCA’s entire operations shall be characterised by continual quality improvements. To ensure and improve quality, SCA shall invest considerable resources in the development of the expertise of its personnel at all levels, both in Afghanistan and Sweden. Evaluations of ongoing operations shall take place on a regular basis and be followed by efforts to improve quality.
Guiding principles for development work shall be geographic and programme-related concentration focusing on the sectors in which SCA has extensive experience and expertise. This shall contribute to ensuring efficiency, room for quality improvements and achieving synergies.
Sustainability
SCA’s operations shall be characterised by a long-term view and sustainability. SCA’s intention is to transfer its operations to Afghan authorities or organisations as soon as this is judged beneficial for the long-term securing of operations. The design of SCA’s operations shall be well rooted in Afghan society and shall, where possible, always be cost efficient and frugal in terms of resources to facilitate a future transfer.
SCA’S DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
Focus and target group
SCA shall focus its development efforts in Afghanistan on education, healthcare and support for the disabled. SCA’s ambition is to support exposed people’s right to education and health, improving their quality of life. In addition, SCA holds the view that education, health and handicap assistance are decisive in promoting positive social development in Afghanistan.
SCA shall design its activities so that they reach poor people, primarily in rural areas. Exposed groups, particularly women, children and the disabled, shall be prioritised.
In the long term, development efforts shall to an increasing extent focus on the development of capacity rather than the provision of services directly to the population.
Education
SCA shall support primary education for children and young people, and teacher training. Education for girls shall be prioritised.
Healthcare
SCA shall support preventive and curative healthcare. Basic healthcare shall be prioritised. The emphasis shall be on healthcare for children and women.
Support for the disabled
SCA shall support the rehabilitation of individuals with functional disabilities and the production of aid devices for the disabled.
Humanitarian aid
When required, SCA is able to support humanitarian efforts in the geographic areas in which it is active, preferably with the assistance of other organisations specialised in catastrophe relief.
INFORMATION AND AFFECTING PUBLIC OPINION
Reliable information, open communication and efforts to affect public opinion
SCA shall provide information about conditions in Afghanistan, about its development work and its activities as an association. SCA shall make efforts to affect public opinion by communicating its basic values.
In Sweden, information efforts are primarily intended to increase commitment to the Afghan people and the will to provide aid. It shall also communicate SCA’s experiences of its development efforts in Afghanistan. Information in Sweden is directed at members, the general public, media, aid providers and politicians.
In Afghanistan, SCA’s information shall, to an increasing extent, be directed towards Afghan authorities and institutions, the Afghan and international media and to aid organisations to generate increased knowledge of SCA’s development efforts and to facilitate coordination.
SCA shall endeavour to provide knowledgeable and reliable information. Information shall be disseminated through those channels that have proven most effective in achieving this purpose, but new channels shall also be tested.
Information disseminated externally shall always have a foundation of support within the organisation.
SCA seeks open communications within the organisation with employees, members and elected representatives working actively to spread experiences and participate in a free discussion to improve support for Afghanistan. SCA shall work actively to spread knowledge about SCA’s basic values and principles throughout the organisation and to establish these firmly.
FINANCING OF SCA’S OPERATIONS
Contributions and fundraising
SCA’s operations are financed through various external donors and through SCA’s own fundraising operations, Svenska Afghanistanhjälpen (Swedish Afghanistan Aid). SCA is positive towards financing from sources other than its own and the Swedish government (Sida) and is able to apply for funds from other governments, organisations and companies. SCA shall always remain independent in relation to the different donors. SCA shall not accept contributions from organisations or companies working in conflict with SCA’s purpose.
SCA seeks to increase the proportion of collected funds to achieve a higher degree of independence and cost-efficient fundraising operations.
Cooperation with companies
For a fee, SCA is able to offer companies its expertise on Afghanistan but shall not enter partnerships with commercial operations in Afghanistan.
SCA’s ORGANISATION
Integrated and unified organisation
SCA shall work in favour of an integrated and unified organisation where members, elected representatives and personnel, both in Afghanistan and Sweden, work together in a spirit of respect and in a dialog aimed at realizing SCA’s policy.
Active and knowledgeable membership movement
SCA seeks to maintain representation in several places in Sweden with local committees that work to increase commitment to Afghanistan and support aid operations through information and collection activities.
Anyone who supports SCA’s purpose can become a member of Swedish Committee for Afghanistan. SCA’s membership organisation is organised in accordance with democratic principles. The annual meeting determines to framework of operations, decides statutes, policies and strategies, and elects a Board for the coming year of operations. SCA shall always work to uphold a dynamic membership democracy and to continually improve communications within the association, both horizontally and vertically. SCA members shall continually receive in-depth information on conditions in Afghanistan, SCA’s development cooperation and association activities.
SCA shall act in favour of an active membership organisation with a growing number of members and characterised by knowledge and commitment.
Personnel in the field and in Sweden
SCA has extensive responsibility for personnel. Its Afghan personnel is a major resource in SCA’s aid operations. In particular, SCA shall endeavour to develop expertise and leadership skills in its Afghan personnel. Competence development shall also be offered to personnel in Sweden, whose task is to provide professional and qualified service to the field organisation, the Board and the membership organisation.
Jobs within SCA’s field organisation should be filled by Afghans where suitable qualified individuals are available unless there are special reasons for filling these positions with Swedes or other non-Afghans. Non-Afghan advisors recruited by SCA shall have the task of acting precisely as advisors, not as implementers.
SCA shall endeavour to promote influence and participation for all personnel categories. SCA seeks to maintain competitive salary levels but does not seek to offer the highest salaries. SCA strives to achieve a balance between the sexes in all job categories and shall be prepared to devote special resources to advancing this principle.
Management
SCA’s operational organisation both in Sweden and Afghanistan shall be characterised by democratic and competent leadership. In SCA’s view, it is particularly desirable for Afghans to also exercise real influence over the management of operations in Afghanistan. SCA shall act to increase the number of women in leading positions throughout the organisation.
Board
The task of the Board is to control aid, information and collection operations at a general level, to manage association activities and appoint the organisation’s highest executive, the General Secretary. The Board shall be experiences in the management of popular movements and leadership issues, knowledgeable on matters of aid and well informed about Afghanistan. SCA seeks to maintain an even balance between men and women and a favourable geographic spread in the Board.