bicc Research in Afghanistan: July 2025- May 2026
Research at bicc informs international policy makers and civil actors
Recent warnings by the United Nations have highlighted the risk of a "lost generation" in Afghanistan, as the country continues to face overlapping humanitarian, economic and political crises. Restrictions on women's participation in public life intensify, large-scale returns from neighbouring countries place increasing pressure on communities, and international actors continue to debate how best to cope with the Taliban government while supporting its population.
Over the past year, bicc researchers have examined many of these interconnected developments. The publications highlighted below provide evidence-based analysis for policymakers, practitioners, journalists and researchers seeking to better understand contemporary challenges in Afghanistan.
Women, civil society and local resilience
The exclusion of women and girls from education, employment and public life remains one of the most significant challenges facing Afghanistan. Despite these restrictions, women-led organisations continue to play an important role in providing services, advocating for communities and sustaining local networks.
The report Women-led Organisations in Afghanistan: Where to Next? examines how these organisations operate under increasingly constrained conditions and explores options for international support. The publication is particularly relevant for those interested in gender equality, civil society, humanitarian assistance and local resilience.
Returns, displacement and migration governance
Large-scale returns have emerged as one of the most pressing issues affecting Afghanistan today. The return of Afghans from neighbouring countries has placed considerable strain on communities already facing economic hardship, food insecurity and limited access to public services.
Bicc has addressed these developments from several perspectives. Responding to Mass Returns in Afghanistan analyses the implications of large-scale returns for humanitarian and development actors. Flucht und Vertreibung aus und in Afghanistan seit 2021 provides an overview of displacement dynamics following the Taliban takeover in 2021. Two further publications—The Cost of Coerced Returns in Germany and Kontroversen um Rückführungen – Ein Plädoyer für eine transparente, wissensbasierte und inklusive Migrationspolitik—contribute to ongoing debates regarding return policies and evidence-informed migration governance.
Taken together, these publications offer a comprehensive perspective on displacement, return and migration policy at a time when these issues are attracting increasing political attention both within Afghanistan and internationally.
Additionally, this short radio interview (in German) on 23 June 2026 with bicc's director, Conrad Schetter, contributes valuable insight to the public debate on deportations.
Governance and international engagement
Questions surrounding governance and external engagement remain central to international discussions on Afghanistan. Policymakers and practitioners continue to grapple with how best to support local communities while navigating a complex political environment.
The report Rethinking Local Governance and External Engagement in Afghanistan examines evolving forms of local governance and explores how international engagement can become more responsive to local realities. The publication offers insights for those working in development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and policy design.
Regional dynamics and security
Afghanistan's future is closely linked to broader regional developments. Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, cross-border insecurity and competing political interests continue to shape the country's trajectory.
In Pakistan and Afghanistan: A War, not a Development Corridor, bicc researchers analyse the political and security dynamics that influence relations between the two countries. The publication challenges assumptions that economic cooperation alone can overcome longstanding sources of conflict and instability, making it particularly relevant for readers interested in regional security and geopolitics.
Learn more about bicc research in Afghanistan and find all relevant publications here.
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