It’s easy to overlook the value of public leisure spaces until you live in a place where there aren’t any.  

This is the story of how the transformation of a neglected space helped one town in Afghanistan to come together with a renewed sense of community. 

In a town in Pul-e Alam district, the capital of Logar Province in southeastern Afghanistan, there was no recreation area, just a deserted patch of wasteland, filled with rubbish. For the youth, many of them returnees or internally displaced, there was nowhere safe to meet, play, or simply enjoy being young. 

The lack of economic opportunities in the area, and competition over resources like land and water sparked tensions among different groups. It was clear that the community needed a shared space to connect, communicate, and heal. 

In 2024, the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan’s (STFA) “Community Empowerment for Locally Led Solutions” joint programme, implemented by UN-Habitat, UNDP, UNESCO, IOM, and UNHCR, stepped in to support the transformation of the neglected ground into a space of hope and unity. 

A Community Vision 

Local ownership was at the heart of the project. Youth, elders, and the village Shura (council) came together to identify priorities and shape a space that reflected their collective vision. 

The project went beyond just fixing the ground. It revitalized the entire space; new seating areas for a stadium were built, shaded spaces created, and sanitation and water facilities installed. The stadium’s roof was repaired, and overgrown grass, cleared by members of the community themselves. 

Over 90 sports kits were distributed, and peace-promoting brochures were shared widely. Today, the sound of laughter and cheers fills the air during tournaments, as young people celebrate not just goals, but a renewed sense of belonging and normalcy. 

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More Than a Game 

The pitch hosts football, volleyball, and cricket matches. “Before, we stayed at home or just hung around,” one young person shared. “Now, we have something to look forward to.” 

This initiative wasn’t just about infrastructure: it was about inclusion, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence. In a region where conflict often stems from unequal access to resources, this shared space has become a platform for community engagement, trust-building, and reconciliation. 

The HDP Nexus in Action 

This project is a living example of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus – different parts of the UN system leveraging their unique strengths towards a shared objective. UNDP led conflict mitigation efforts and used sports as a tool for peacebuilding. UNESCO trained local journalists to amplify positive stories. UNHCR provided psychosocial support to trauma-affected youth. IOM conducted needs assessments and supported local action plans to address the root causes of displacement and social tension. 

Built to Last 

Sustainability is woven into every aspect of the project: from training community members to maintain the grounds, to cost-effective operations that can be managed locally, and ongoing monitoring by all stakeholders. 

What may appear to be a simple football pitch is, in truth, a powerful symbol of resilience, unity, and what’s possible when communities and partners come together with a shared purpose. 

Written By Immy Mulekatete - Communications Specialist, STFA