Due to its insecurity and the presence of insurgent elements, Baghlan has become a priority province for USAID. One of the primary grievances in the region is the lack of economic opportunities for youth and the unemployed. To address this concern and create the opportunity for community-government cooperation, the community requested USAID funding for small business capacity-building training.
Two hundred and forty community members successfu lly completed the one-month capacity-building training in July 2011. The training focused on building the capacity of small business owners through lectures on business methodologies and management techniques. The training provided farmers with ideas about alternative means of earning income, especially at times of limited harvest due to drought and other factors hindering their normal agricultural activities.