CARAVAN

INTRODUCTION TO CARAVAN

Registered in the year 2000, under the Societies Registration Act 1860; CARAVAN is the brain child of social workers and development professionals who worked in the ‘Kalam Integrated Development Project (KIDP)’ in the 1980’s.  Funded by the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), and spanning over a period of two decades i.e. from 1992 to 98, KIDP was one of the first development projects in KPK. Following its successful completion, the ex-staff members introduced the idea to other like-minded social workers and development professionals across the province to launch an organization that would not only continue making efforts to invest in the social capital already created by KIDP, but also replicate the approach and efforts in other backward areas of the province. The outcome of these deliberations and efforts was the creation of CARAVAN in the year 1998.Established by the former Board and Staff members of KIDP, the organization became fully functional in 2004 and has been operating since then. CARAVAN began its journey as a technical, facilitative and organizational support institution, and concentrated its efforts on promoting self-supporting system of community development by harnessing local potential and building its capacity. The fact that CARAVAN is one of the founding members of the local NGOs consortium IDEALS, is an evidence of the emphasis placed by it on developing and nurturing local linkages. However, after working extensively with the communities, the professionals at CARAVAN felt the need to employ a more holistic approach to the development of the area. Consequently, in 2009 sectors such as Livelihood and Governance were also included in the organizations mandate. 

Today, CARAVAN boasts a work portfolio comprising of around 90+ successfully completed projects across a range of sectors, including but not limited to, health, education, governance, agriculture, irrigation, infrastructure, and relief & rehabilitation. Undertaken through the financial assistance of national as well as international donors such as, The Asia Foundation, ISRA UK, Geneva Global, ADB, UNICEF, FAO, WFP, GTZ, RISE, TVO, Rotary Club, and USAID; these range from small scale interventions of Rs. 0.1 million to large scale endeavors of Rs. 38 million. Over the years, the geographical focus of the organization has also expanded from Swat to Chitral, Kohistan, Batagram, Shangla, Malakand, Dir, FATA etc. At present, CARAVAN operates from its Head Office in Peshawar, Regional Office in Saidu Sharif, and Program/Field Offices in Kohistan, Shangla and Chitral.