Aawaz II is a flagship programme of British Council, for promoting interfaith harmony, inclusion of ministries, PWDs & transgender persons in mainstream Development and checking discrimination of GBV, works with local communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab provinces to promote the rights of children, women, youth, and other marginalized groups.

The programme is working through community based downstream partners, developing sustainable community fora that augment and strengthen the voice of the marginalized and facilitate behavior change. The communities are provided safe spaces and access to referrals and information through Aawaz Aagahi Centers (AACs). The transformative effect of increased awareness and information, and the provision of training, support and linkages will result in a sustainable change within communities. Strong engagement with youth driving this change through their collective action and direct support of community fora will ensure long-term ownership and sustainability of the behavior change initiatives of Aawaz II.

Aawaz II’s implementation is taking place through a phased approach. The programme works in 37 districts in KP and Punjab through its downstream partners. Phase I (March 2020 – June 2022) was implemented through a network of 17 district partners in 22 districts (9 in KP and 13 in Punjab). The second phase of Aawaz II commenced in February 2023 and is scheduled to run until March 2024. The subject round has been completed till June 30, 2024. The extension phase resumed from August 15, 2024 till Sept 2026. Building on the project approach initiated in Aawaz I, NRSP assumes the same role of the lead implementing partner across the districts of Nowshera, Malakand, and Sargodha.

The Aawaz II program champions the rights of marginalized groups, including women, transgender individuals, youth, religious minorities, and people with disabilities (PWDs). The program tackles critical issues in targeted districts by working to eliminate harmful practices like child marriages and gender-based violence. Additionally, it fosters social cohesion and tolerance within local communities. National Rural Support Programme as a DSP in Nowshera, Malakand and Sargodha districts of Aawaz II project have successfully completed district profiling, village mapping, formation of village forums, District Forums, Special Interest Groups (Transgender, Minority and Person with Disabilities) and established Aawaz Agahi Centers. NRSP as a DSP successfully formed 96 Village Forums, 01 District Forums, 3 Special Interest Groups in targeted districts of KP and Punjab. Furthermore, 48 Aawaz Agahi Center successfully established (18 Nowshera, 18 Sargodha and 12 in district Malakand). 225 Volunteers as Aawaz Change Agents -ACAs identified and capacitated with a support of Project Management Unit of British Council.