This report presents the independent final evaluation of the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan’s (STFA) Joint Programmes in the Northern and Southern regions (2022–2025). It assesses the performance of integrated, area-based interventions delivered by multiple UN agencies to address basic human needs and strengthen community resilience, while bridging the transition from humanitarian assistance to longer-term resilience and recovery in a highly complex operating environment.

The evaluation finds that the programmes were strategically relevant and effective, delivering measurable improvements in household well-being, access to essential services, and livelihood opportunities. Grounded in community-driven processes, the interventions were closely aligned with local priorities and improved community relationships. The joint programming model enabled a unified UN response to deliver results at scale.

The report also highlights key challenges, including restrictions on women’s participation and risks to sustainability due to limited local capacity for operations and maintenance. In addition, the report also provides strategic and operational recommendations to inform future programming, including the need for multi-year, predictable funding, market and private sector linkages and coordinated delivery approaches.

Overall, the evaluation confirms joint programming as a credible and scalable model to advance the Humanitarian–Development–Peace nexus, while delivering results in a fluid context.