Global Action for Peace, Development, and Sustainability — Vienna, VA

Peace, opportunity, and a healthy planet
grow best together.

GAPDS is a small nonprofit doing hands-on work — from classrooms to community markets — to help people build safer, more stable lives, in ways that also protect the planet they live on.

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PEACE DEVELOPMENT SUSTAINABILITY Integrated Action
Latest from GAPDS

Where our work stands right now

Our impact

Three pillars, one strategy

The three pillars

Where GAPDS works

Peace, development, and sustainability reinforce one another. Every GAPDS program is designed to move more than one of these at once. Read our vision & mission →

Pillar 1

Sustainable Peace

We build understanding between people and communities through dialogue, education, and everyday acts of connection.

See peace programs →
Pillar 2

Inclusive Development

We help people build better lives — through education, economic opportunity, and support when it's needed most.

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Pillar 3

Environmental Sustainability

We care about protecting the environment everyone depends on, and we're growing our work in this area.

See sustainability programs →
Our work

What this looks like in practice

We're a small team, but the work reaches real people. Here's one program in detail.

Program Snapshot · Pillar 2
Pillar 2 · Development

Afghanistan Women Empowerment Initiatives Program

Launched November 2023 · Virginia, USA

Our team provides underground education for those denied access to formal schooling, facilitates online learning, and supports female students pursuing higher education abroad — alongside handmade clothing markets and food aid that help families build economic independence.

See the program

Small gifts make a real difference.

Your support helps fund classrooms, food aid, and opportunities for families who need them most — and we'll always tell you exactly where it goes.

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