One of the objectives of ICMA's Afghanistan Municipal Strengthening Program (AMSP) is to develop the next generation of Afghan youth and help them recognize their roles as members of their community. With funding from the U.S Agency for International Development, AMSP hopes to encourage young people to stay in their home municipalities and eventually come to view public service as a potential career.

A popular component of the youth program is a series of sports events among teams in five of the provincial capitals in which AMSP works. AMSP provides the teams with shoes and clothing, playing fields, and equipment for volleyball, football, and cricket. Other components of the youth program include internships with muncipalities and English-language and computer training.

The youth program is just one of AMSP's activities. Others include:

• Initiation and completion of small infrastructure projects that improve the quality of life for residents and provide opportunities for local workers to develop skills
• Municipal staff development training on basic public administration skills
• Publication of the handbook Municipal Governance in Afghanistan.

To learn more about ICMA's programs, visit the Afghanistan page of the ICMA Web site.