Blue Veins’ project “Faith in Action” nominated for International Austria Award 2026

PESHAWAR, Apr 05 (APP): “Faith in Action for Equal Rights and Opportunities”, a flagship project of Blue Veins, an award winning non-governmental organization, has been nominated for the prestigious Intercultural Achievement Award (IAA) 2026, presented by the Austrian Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs.

According to a press release issued here on Sunday, the award recognizes impactful global initiatives that promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue.

Implemented from January 2023 to December 2025 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the support of Norwegian Church Aid, the project has strengthened social cohesion, interfaith harmony and inclusive participation among diverse communities, says Qamar Naseem, Programme Manager Blue Veins.

A key milestone of the project is its contribution to the enactment of the Kalash Marriage Registration Act 2025, marking the first-ever legal recognition of marriages within the indigenous Kalash community.

The project also empowered 450 youth, women, and civil society representatives, leading to over 90 community-led initiatives promoting peaceful coexistence and diversity.

The project also supported the compliance of the 2% minority education quota across 34 public sector universities, expanding access to higher education for marginalized students.

In wake of advocacy under the project, out of 27 public sector universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa around 20 have displayed on website two percent quota for minorities and offer of availing the opportunity.