Afghanistan—Assistance to Legislative Bodies of Afghanistan (ALBA)

The Assistance to Legislative Bodies of Afghanistan (ALBA) project prepared both houses of Parliament for greater self-reliance. The program provided issue-based assistance that focused training and capacity building on actual bills or policies that Members of Parliament (MPs) and staff were addressing at the time. By the end of the program, parliamentary committees were actively reviewing legislation and conducting policy oversight as MPs increased dialogue with citizens, civil society, and media. The Parliament created a cadre of staff able to provide regular, topical research, and legislative and budget analysis to MPs. Parliament also now provides a stronger and more consistent check on the executive branch and operates as a more independent and effective legislative, representative, and oversight body.

Sample Activities

• Provide issue-based, on-the-job training so parliamentary staff will immediately begin conducting budget analysis and legislative research themselves.
• Increase outreach work done by Parliament.
• Improve the capacity of Parliament to provide effective oversight of the executive branch.

Select Results

• Sponsored 64 provincial oversight trips with commissions from both Houses.
• Advised on 160 executive oversight actions (questionings, hearings, reports).
• Placed 160 top graduates throughout parliament in the ALBA Fellowship Program.
• Conducted 195 training sessions for Secretariat and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs staff, advisors, and ALBA Fellows.
• Sponsored 34 public forums that allow parliamentarians and the public to interact.
• Published 33 publications for Parliament.
• Supported parliamentarians as they crafted and passed more than 50 laws, including the Anti-Harassment Law to protect women.