On September 3rd, USAID supported an advisory session with the community leaders in Uruzgan’s Islamic Investment and Finance Cooperative (IFC). Fourteen community leaders representing eleven villages of the province actively participated in the session. The meeting focused on their role in the socio-economic development of the province and how to increase their community’s access to financial services. Ongoing discussions with the community leaders are critical given the community ownership and sustainability mission of the IFCs. Uruzgan is located in the southern region of Afghanistan, which is known as one of the most insecure, opium-producing areas of the country. To date, the Uruzgan IFC has disbursed USD $36,500 to 73 borrowers.