AWARD is a non-political, non-sectarian, non-profit, independent development organization. It started its operation in Islamic Republic of Pakistan in 2005. It is governed by a Board of Directors. The program development and oversight comes from an independent Program Advisor Committee, compromising of 5 renowned development practitioners. AWARD focuses on sustainable livelihoods and poverty alleviation, environment and energy, crisis prevention and recovery, governance and gender with information communication, and policy research and advocacy as cross cutting themes. It also provides services in program development, undertaking social surveys, baseline and evaluation studies.