KADO has been working with international development agencies, national development institutions, and the government of Pakistan for the last two decades. The focus has remained on socially, economically, and environmentally underprivileged communities. Building on the concept of self-reliance and collective actions, KADO became a pioneer organization in Pakistan through its inclusive practices, such as inclusion and rehabilitation of special persons, access to IT training in remote valleys, environmental management initiatives, social and economic empowerment of women by reviving cultural identities through skills and product development interventions.
Working on key thematic areas, KADO has worked with a number of development partners to enhance the individual and institutional capacities of rural communities in G-B and Chitral. But the recent unprecedented climatic disasters, religious extremism, gender inequalities, and poor economic infrastructure has posed a number of questions to redesign and innovate programs and activities in the region. Some of our valued donors and partners are, Gov of Pakistan, Gov of G-B, USAID, GIZ, AKF, AKDN, AKRSP, AP, SDC, HF, and UN Women Pakistan.
KADO is an evolving organization in the history of local governance and institutional development in Hunza and GB. It is evolving, because KADO has demonstrated the indigenous potential of G-B, the spirit of volunteerism, inclusive governance, and skills in order to create a socioeconomic value for the communities by engaging underprivileged segments of society through dynamic interventions. Fortunately, KADO remained successful in directly engaging 3000 women artisans under its small handicraft revival project KHDP. Currently, our artisans and SMEs are creating wonders in their professional and personal journeys.
Building on digital literacy and globalization of minds, KADO introduced the internet facility in early 2000 for the first time in Hunza. KADO conceived the idea of innovative training with the support of GIZ. The aim of the project was to connect mountain communities with the rest of the world. More than 10000 students, graduates, and professionals have benefited from this intervention in all districts of G-B and Chitral.
Rehabilitation of differently able persons, women entrepreneurship, climate action, digital livelihoods, and building the capacity of inclusive civil society organizations have remained the key thematic areas in advancing social and economic opportunities of rural and disadvantaged communities of G-B.
In this 25 years journey, KADO has achieved unbelievable results by executing several projects such as Enterprise Development, Environment, human and institutional development, rehabilitation, information and communication technology, vocational skills, and human rights.
It has strengthened the role of civil society participation, enhanced human and institutional capacities and potential, launched an E-Commerce initiative for the first time in Gilgit-Baltistan, carried out action research on ICT in rural development, and intervened with full fledge in introducing Internet services in Hunza and Nagar and developed comprehensive research books, reports on E-village, E-Schools and business incubation.
It pioneered the first public-private partnership with the Government of Pakistan by successfully implementing a Women’s Vocational (IT skill) training/Labs project in all 10- Districts of GilgitBaltistan. KADO became a pioneer organization in the region by taking initiatives such as rehabilitation of special persons, IT, Environmental Management, Preservation and revival of indigenous cultures, and Women Empowerment. We have previously partnered with SDC, GIZ, USAID, and AKDN on different development projects.
Since 2009, KADO’s Himmat -ILDP/WEI Project has trained 3600 Community Members in soft skills and provided small grants to 94 groups comprising 600 individuals to encourage entrepreneurship through innovative business and social projects. Out of the total participation, more than 60% were women.
Although contributions are small, it has shown a significant impact in terms of people with excellent business ideas.
Our Current intervention involves Community Tech Hubs, Digital Livelihood Training Programs, Producing Sustainable/Eco-friendly Bags, advocacy on gender-related issues, and producing export-level indigenous products. In addition, we established 40 IT Labs across GB with the support of the Department of Planning and Development, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The idea of good governance revolves around sound policies on the ground. Since its inception, KADO managed to develop governance policies and institutional measures that have made the organization sustainable on organic grounds. Special attention has been given to women working with KADO and other beneficiaries working in different capacities.
KADO, in a short period of time with limited resources, gave a balanced footing for community-driven development while carrying the wider development obligation, and by adopting strategies based on the livelihood options in the region, needs of poor people, social integration, and respecting the ecology of the region. The sheer scale and size of KADO projects and programs, and the effect of KADO as a local institution, capable of developing and holding quality human resources, speaks of its impact and positive contributions to the welfare of vulnerable segments of society.