Who We Are

Development Alternatives (DAs) is a dedicated non-governmental organization (NGO) headquartered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. We specialize in offering innovative solutions to complex institutional challenges within the development sector. Our mission is to empower marginalized communities, particularly pro-poor segments of society, by fostering sustainable socio-economic growth through participatory approaches. With a strong emphasis on indigenous expertise and resources, DAs supports communities across Pakistan, with a special focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to improve their quality of life and create lasting impacts.

Our Vision and Mission

  • Vision: We envision a future of participatory and sustainable development driven by proactive communities, civil society, and both public and private sector institutions working together.
  • Mission: To uplift marginalized populations—especially women, youth, and vulnerable groups—through strategic interventions that enhance their social, economic, and political empowerment. We strive to reduce poverty, improve access to justice, and promote good governance and gender equality in all our endeavors.

What We Do

Development Alternatives is committed to addressing critical areas of development through tailored programs and projects, including:

  • Participatory Development and Gender Mainstreaming: Strengthening community-based organizations (CBOs) and grassroots institutions through social mobilization, training, and capacity building.
  • Education Initiatives: Enhancing access to quality education for Afghan refugees and host communities, while improving school management and reducing dropout rates.
  • Health and Wellbeing: Promoting maternal and child health (MNCH), reproductive health, and nutrition services for women and youth while addressing challenges like HIV/AIDS.
  • Livelihoods and Agriculture: Supporting farmers and rural communities by providing access to modern agricultural technologies, training, and market linkages to improve productivity and economic resilience.
  • Disaster Risk Management: Conducting risk assessments, creating disaster management plans, and providing humanitarian aid and recovery support for disaster-prone communities.
  • Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): Ensuring access to potable water and sanitation facilities, coupled with hygiene education for schools and villages, particularly for women and children during emergencies.

Our Expertise

Our organization brings decades of experience and diverse expertise to development work, offering:

  • Policy advocacy to align public sector initiatives with the needs of marginalized populations.
  • Cutting-edge approaches to project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
  • Training and capacity-building programs for NGOs, civil society organizations, and government institutions to improve organizational efficiency.
  • Empirical research, impact analysis, and feasibility studies to guide evidence-based interventions.
  • Networking and coordination with stakeholders to maximize project impacts.

Our Achievements

DAs has successfully implemented impactful projects in collaboration with renowned international and national partners, including:

  • Punjab Urban Land Systems Enhancement (PULSE) Project: Conducted gender-based violence (GBV) risk assessments and developed mitigation action plans to ensure the safety and inclusivity of marginalized groups.
  • Community Support and Development Program (CS/DP): Improved livelihoods, resilience, and socio-economic conditions for displaced and adjacent communities under the Balakot Hydropower Development Project.
  • Health and Women Empowerment Projects: Facilitated access to reproductive health services and sustainable livelihoods in Sindh while increasing educational opportunities for 60,000 out-of-school children in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Why Choose Us?

Our organization stands out for its commitment to grassroots development, evidence-based strategies, and partnerships with key stakeholders. Whether through policy advocacy, community mobilization, or capacity building, we are dedicated to driving lasting, positive change for vulnerable populations.

Join us in our journey to create a sustainable, inclusive future where no one is left behind. For more information or to collaborate, visit Contact Us.