The Kabul Tribune (KT) — More than 1,300 vulnerable entrepreneurs in Afghanistan's western Herat province have received interest-free loans through a European Union-funded program aimed at strengthening women's economic self-reliance and supporting local communities, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said.
In a report released Tuesday, UNDP said the assistance was provided under its "Our Leadership" project, which focuses on expanding economic opportunities for women and vulnerable groups.
The agency said that in 2025 it supplied specialized tailoring equipment to 18 small and medium-sized enterprises in Herat, including five businesses in the Jebrail area, helping revive local production and create jobs.
The program also established women's savings groups made up of returnees, internally displaced people and women from host communities. The groups received seed funding for shared savings funds, while members were given responsibility for managing the funds and deciding how interest-free loans would be distributed.
UNDP said EU support also helped transform Jebrail Market into a standardized commercial center with 30 shops. Rental income from the shops now covers the market's maintenance and operating costs, making it financially sustainable.
Separately, the agency said it installed a 24.75-kilowatt solar power system and donated 10 laptop computers to the Gawharshad Technical and Vocational Education Center in December 2025. The upgrades have enabled uninterrupted instruction for 4,625 students, including 207 returnees, according to the report.
