Legal status of the organization

The Organization of Technical Cooperation for Community Development (OTCD) is an independent, not-for-profit, Non-Government Organization (NGO) registered as a legal entity with the Ministry of Economy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan since March 2007.

Vision: A society in which every individual, without discrimination, attains the right to survival, protection, and development.

Mission: To contribute to the social development of Afghanistan through the development and implementation of comprehensive and integrated community-based health and social initiatives, focusing on vulnerable and at-risk communities, particularly Drug Users and individuals at risk and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Structure and governance

Board of Directors: Provides oversight, ensures compliance with national laws and regulations, sets policies and strategies, makes programmatic and funding decisions, establishes monitoring framework, supports fundraising, and intervenes in solving organizational problems.

Executive Committee: Leads the organization’s operations and consists of the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, Program Manager, Senior M&E Specialist, Admin/Finance Manager, and Procurement/Logistic Manager.

Specific mandate and value addition in service delivery

Project Implementation: 

In a span of 15 years, we have achieved a significant track record of successfully executing 22 projects focused on Drug Demand Reduction, Harm Reduction, and addressing the challenges posed by HIV and AIDS. These projects were executed across different provinces of Afghanistan, with consistent and stable collaboration with esteemed international partners such as UNODC, UNDP, World Bank, GFATM, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the UK, GIZ, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Our organization’s commitment to excellence and collaboration has allowed us to make a substantial impact in these areas. Please refer to Table 1 for an overview of the projects undertaken by our organization to date.

Technical Expertise

OTCD is an organization renowned for its comprehensive technical knowledge and expertise across various domains. We excel in integrated drug prevention, treatments, and rehabilitation services, as well as implementing effective harm reduction strategies through community outreach, drop-in centers, and shelter services. Our proficiency extends to HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, and care, with a special focus on high-risk populations, including female sex workers (FSWs) and men who have sex with men (MSMs). Additionally, we possess significant capabilities in the management of Sexually Transmitted Infections.

At OTCD, we have developed a specialization in working with vulnerable populations, including families of drug users, individuals living with HIV, prisoners, street children, and internally displaced people. Our extensive experience encompasses diverse areas, such as conducting training programs, initiating community awareness campaigns, creating educational materials, and fostering collaboration with government institutions, as well as national and international organizations.

Through our multifaceted approach, we strive to make a tangible and lasting impact in our mission to promote drug demand reduction, harm reduction, and the prevention, treatment, and care of HIV and AIDS.

Robust Systems

OTCD has established efficient systems for technical assistance, monitoring and evaluation, administration, procurement, and logistics. These well-established systems ensure effective implementation, transparency, and accountability in our projects. Furthermore, we maintain audited and transparent financial records for the past 15 years.

Target Groups

OTCD primarily serves the following target groups:

• Female, male, and children drug addicts and their families
• People Who Inject Drugs (PWIDs) and their spouses/partners 
• People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV) and their spouses/partners 
• Men and women engaging in high-risk behavior concerning HIV and AIDS (MSMs, FSWs).
• Prisoners, truck drivers, internally displaced people (IDPs), street children, school students, religious scholars, and local communities.

Guiding Principles for Community Engagement

Inclusivity: 

We believe in promoting inclusivity and ensuring that all members of the community, regardless of their background or circumstances, have the opportunity to participate and benefit from our initiatives.

Empowerment: 

We strive to empower individuals and communities by providing them with the necessary resources, knowledge, and skills to take control of their own development and make informed decisions.

Respect for Diversity: 

We value and respect the diversity of communities, embracing their unique cultural, social, and economic characteristics. We recognize that diversity enriches our understanding and strengthens our approach to community development.

Collaborative Partnerships: 

We actively seek partnerships with local stakeholders, including community leaders, organizations, and government agencies, to foster collaboration and ensure that our efforts align with community priorities and aspirations.

Sustainable Solutions: 

Our work is centered around sustainable solutions that have a lasting impact on communities. We promote approaches that address both immediate needs and long-term development, ensuring the well-being of present and future generations.

Participatory Approach: 

We believe in participatory decision-making and involve community members in all stages of our projects. Their input and feedback shape the design, implementation, and evaluation of our initiatives, ensuring relevance and ownership.

Transparency and Accountability: We maintain transparency and accountability in our interactions with communities and stakeholders. We provide clear information about our activities, use resources responsibly, and regularly report on progress and outcomes.

Cultural Sensitivity: 

We recognize and appreciate the cultural sensitivities and traditions of the communities we work with. We adapt our approaches to align with local customs, values, and practices, fostering a respectful and meaningful engagement.

Continuous Learning: 

We embrace a culture of continuous learning and improvement. We actively seek feedback, evaluate the impact of our interventions, and adapt our strategies based on evidence and best practices.

Ethical Conduct: 

We uphold the highest ethical standards in our work, ensuring the well-being, dignity, and rights of individuals and communities. We adhere to professional codes of conduct and safeguard the confidentiality of information shared with us.

These principles guide our interactions and shape our approach to community development, enabling us to create sustainable positive change and contribute to the well-being of communities we serve.

Areas for Improvement

Capacity Development: 

While we have made significant progress in capacity development, there is a continuous need to strengthen the skills and knowledge of our staff to adapt to evolving challenges and emerging trends in our focus areas. We are committed to investing in on-going training and professional development opportunities for our team.

Resource Constraints: 

Like many NGOs, OTCD faces resource constraints, which limit our ability to scale up our activities and reach a wider population. We recognize the importance of sustainable funding to expand our impact and are actively exploring diversified funding sources.

In conclusion, OTCD has demonstrated strong organizational strengths in legal compliance, vision and mission alignment, governance, partnerships, technical expertise, and robust systems. While we acknowledge our weaknesses in capacity development and resource constraints, we are dedicated to addressing these challenges and continuously improving our operations.