ILO Trains 150 Former Drug Users in Afghanistan for Jobs, Recovery and Renewal

Beyond entrepreneurship, the REE-EEI project focuses on equipping participants with market-ready vocational skills.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has provided 150 former drug users in Afghanistan with practical business and vocational skills, supporting their journey toward economic independence, relapse prevention, and long-term social reintegration. The training is part of the Recovery to Empowerment: Entrepreneurship and Employment Initiatives (REE-EEI) South-eastern Project 2025, designed to empower vulnerable individuals through livelihood opportunities and community-based rehabilitation.

The initiative trained 75 women and 75 men in Logar and Ghazni provinces between September and October 2025. Participants received entrepreneurship and technical training aligned with the needs of local markets, strengthening their potential for self-employment and wage-based jobs.

For many trainees, the programme represents a vital opportunity to rebuild their lives.“This training could be a turning point in our lives—an opportunity to reconnect with our families, reintegrate into the community, and start small businesses to support ourselves and our loved ones,” said one female participant.

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Entrepreneurship Training Tailored by Gender

Participants took part in specialized business development programmes:

• Women completed the Gender and Entrepreneurship Together Ahead (GET Ahead) programme, focused on creating business opportunities that fit women’s roles, responsibilities, and aspirations.

• Men attended the Generate Your Business Idea (GYBI) and Start Your Business (SYB) courses, which help new entrepreneurs analyze market prospects, test ideas, and build viable enterprises.

All 150 trainees produced business plans, and the 60 most promising (30 women and 30 men) will be recommended to the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to receive seed capital, further coaching, and financial literacy support.

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Strengthening Employability Through Vocational Skills

Beyond entrepreneurship, the REE-EEI project focuses on equipping participants with market-ready vocational skills. A detailed market assessment across three provinces identified skill areas with strong employment demand.

Based on these findings, 110 treated former drug users (60 women and 50 men) enrolled in vocational programmes such as:

• Handicrafts

• Mobile phone repair

• Electrical works

• Solar panel installation

• Motorcycle repair

• Tailoring and garment-making

These skills offer strong potential for income generation in both urban and rural areas, supporting long-term economic resilience.

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A Pathway to Recovery, Dignity and Community Reintegration

The initiative is funded by the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA) and contributes to critical development objectives: reducing relapse risks, improving livelihoods, and promoting social inclusion. Participants gain confidence, structure, and dignity—key components of successful recovery.

“The programme demonstrates that recovery and economic empowerment can go hand in hand,” said Tite Habiyakare, ILO Senior Coordinator for Afghanistan. “By equipping treated drug users with skills and opportunities, we are helping them rebuild their futures and strengthening community resilience.”

As Afghanistan continues to face economic instability and limited job opportunities, the REE-EEI project highlights the transformative power of skills training and livelihood support in restoring hope and stability to individuals and their families.