The Aga Khan Foundation is a non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa. Created as a private, non-profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 15 countries. It is a modern vehicle for traditional philanthropy in the Ismaili Muslim community under the leadership of the Aga Khan.
Geographic Focus
The Foundation's geographical spread currently encompasses activities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Kenya, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Within these countries, the Foundation chooses certain regions for particular focus. Criteria include special needs in poor environments as well as the presence of capable implementing organisations. It normally intervenes where it has a strong volunteer base to ensure knowledgeable and culturally sensitive management of its local affairs.
Focus Areas
To make the most of its resources, the Aga Khan Foundation has a sharp focus, clearly defined objectives and a consistent approach to its work. It concentrates on selected issues in health, education, rural development and the strengthening of civil society.
Within its thematic areas of interest, the Foundation looks for innovative approaches to generic problems. Projects are designed to be learning experiences that contribute to the understanding of complex issues and identify solutions that can be adapted to conditions in many different regions. Replicability is essential to the creation of useful models. Wherever appropriate, approaches are tested in urban as well as rural settings, and in different cultures and geographic environments.
Evaluation and dissemination are equally essential. International teams, together with the implementers, conduct reviews at agreed intervals in the project cycle. Their conclusions are made available to Foundation affiliates, to grantees and to other interested governmental and non-governmental organisations.
The Foundation is highly selective in its programme choices. The principal criterion is the potential for bringing lasting benefit to project participants. AKF measures its success by what its grantees achieve and the importance of what they have learned for projects elsewhere.
It is equally committed to bringing valuable lessons to the attention of policymakers and others whose decisions affect the lives of the poor.
The Foundation shares what it learns with the public, raising awareness of important issues facing disadvantaged sectors of the international community.
Contacts:
The Aga Khan Development Network
P.O. Box 2049
1-3 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Tel. (+41 22) 909 7200
Fax (+41 22) 909 7292
East Africa Office
Aga Khan Foundation (EA)
Box 40898, 00100 Nairobi
Tel: 254-20-223951
Fax: 254-20-213109
[email protected]
