In Afghanistan, the birthplace of impACT, the startup ecosystem is vibrant and full of passionate citizens wanting to actively create a positive change for their country. Local entrepreneurs are deeply rooted within their communities. They have skin in the game and therefore a strong motivation to initiate change. Many Afghan entrepreneurs are ambitious and believe their business can go global while providing solutions for other countries with similar problems. So, creating connections is valuable.

The young and vibrant startup-scene in Kabul has the immense potential to foster innovation and shape the Afghan economy and society alike and is hence the face of a new and promising narrative on Afghanistan. impACT is a platform that supports (social) entrepreneurs by encouraging cross border ventures that have a real societal impact. The initiative links innovation and agility with necessary resources, networks and knowledge. impACT strengthens grassroots movements and (social) entrepreneurs by bringing them together with a variety of stakeholders from the private sector, state actors, local and international organisations and civil society. A big thank you to our partners: GIZ, Philia, Institut français d’Afghanistan, Aghaez, American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), BookClub Afghanistan, IOM – UN Migration / IOM Afghanistan and Samuel Hall

In Kabul we launched a new format in March 2019: impACT Chat! For the launch the impACT co-founders Ahmad Fahim Didar and Matiullah Rahmaty gave an overview of impACT’s journey. Akbar Arghandiwal, who is a part of the impACT movement moderated the event. Participants got to know impACT’s strategy. How did we grow our community? How did we conceive and develop the idea into a movement? How do we manage our resources? All of these aspects were highlighted in the impACT Kabul Chat! The Chat is a mix of action points and inspiration. Of course we use our methodology the Power Triangle Model, which is a guide towards success by acquiring and managing networks, resources and knowledge!