1. Introduction:

The UNESCO Afghanistan Literacy Prize is to recognize the outstanding works of governmental, non-governmental organizations and other institutions which implement innovative and effective approaches for youth and adult literacy education in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world, currently estimated at about 30% of the adult population (over 15 years of age). Female literacy levels are on average 17%, with high variation – the highest female literacy rates – 35% – are found in the capital, Kabul, while rates as low as 2% are found in the southern provinces of Zabul and Helmand. Male literacy rates average about 45%, again with high variation. The highest male rates are in Panjsher – 78% – and the lowest in Helmand (10%) and Uruzgan (15%). Progress in schooling over the past decade and in literacy acquisition by young adults has resulted in higher literacy rates in the age range of 15-24 years. Rates for young women average 24% - about twice as high as the national average for all female adults. There remains at least 11 million Afghans age 15 and above suffering from lack or low levels of reading and writing skills.  In addition to the large number of population in need to literacy education, challenges of providing literacy education in Afghanistan are unique; Afghanistan is landlocked country where insecurity prevails in some areas which make access to literacy education difficult. There are more than seven linguistic groups, therefore provision of basic education including literacy in mother tongue is another challenge. 

2. Objectives:

To identify innovative and effective approaches applied for literacy interventions in Afghanistan to improve literacy proficiency level of its population

3. Organizer:

UNESCO Office in Afghanistan with partnership of Deputy Ministry of Education for Literacy  

4. Selection criteria:

The prizes are awarded for work in youth and adult literacy activities which involve any of the following aspects:

· Producing teaching or learning materials or special media including ICTs for literacy programs.

· Enabling Environment for literacy 

· Literacy and involving minority languagesActivities which also include promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment will be given higher consideration for the prizes.  

• Application Form Dari
• Application Form Pashto 
• Application Form English

Note: The deadline for the submissions of applications is 16th August 2016.