Riza Mukhtari on empowering Afghan communities through education and social impact initiatives

Riza Mukhtari, an MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation student at the University of Edinburgh Business School, shares his journey from Afghanistan to India and eventually to the United Kingdom, and how his years of social service experience led him to co-found the Sepedaar Foundation (SF) – a charity dedicated to uplifting Afghan communities through educational, social, cultural and economic sectors.

Refugee Week 2025 - Riza Mukhtari
Riza Mukhtari

Riza Mukhtari’s journey of resilience and education

Riza Mukhtari is a passionate advocate for education and social empowerment. After completing high school in Kabul, Afghanistan, he intended to join Kabul University. However, a tragic bomb explosion at the Mawood Education Center changed the course of his life, compelling him to seek education abroad. 

He completed his undergraduate degree India and later moved to the UK to pursue his Master's degree. Despite the challenges of displacement and having to claim asylum, Riza remained committed to his dream of pursuing Higher Education. In 2024, he was selected for the Education Beyond Borders Scholarship, completing his MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation. 

Beyond his studies, Riza co-founded the Sepedaar Foundation (formerly the Mukhtari Educational Team), building years of non-profit experience. 

Restoring access to learning through the Sepedaar Foundation  

Established in response to the 2021 collapse of Afghanistan’s government, Sepedaar Foundation emerged from a profound sense of urgency and hope for a better future. After recognising growing restrictions faced by Afghan youths, especially girls, the team initiated educational sessions to provide hybrid learning opportunities.  

Sepedaar Foundation now operates across 34 provinces of Afghanistan with 30+ volunteers from 18 countries, delivering more than ten hybrid programmes. In partnership with a local NGO, it also supports 120 orphans with regular classes for Computer, English, Math and Holy Quran. They have also launched a football club to promote youth engagement. 

Serving educational communities – Riza's insight 

At the University of Edinburgh, Riza applies insights from his studies and professional learnings to strengthen the foundation’s impact. 

What inspired your involvement?

Witnessing Afghan youth, especially girls, being denied their fundamental rights, including access to education, had a profound impact on me. I, along with my team at Sepedaar Foundation, decided to act and use our resources to serve these communities and girls in Afghanistan, firmly believing that these communities and youths represent the future of the nation. This conviction became the driving force behind the founding of Sepedaar Foundation.

How does your work support young people inside Afghanistan?

Following Afghanistan’s 2021 collapse, many young people, including girls, lost access to education opportunities. Our work focuses on re-engaging these youths through ten hybrid learning programs and initiatives. We provide educational resources and exposure to help them stay motivated and continue developing their skills despite the difficult environment. Our goal is to remind them that their future still matters and that they are not alone. 

What is vital to understand when working with communities in crisis?

When working with communities in crisis, it is essential to have a compassionate approach, effective leadership, and consistent commitment. In Afghanistan, people are navigating fear, displacement, and loss of rights, particularly young girls. We’ve learned that building trust and delivering reliable support are key to restoring hope and helping these communities to get a sense of purpose and possibility. 

What has been the community response, and lessons learned?

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Thousands follow our work online, and many high-profile individuals joined our cause as mentors, guest speakers and supporters. I have learned that together as a team, our collective efforts can achieve far greater progress than any individual endeavour alone.

Empowering young people across Afghanistan 

Since 2021, Sepedaar programmes have empowered youths across Afghanistan to overcome their challenges and continue their education despite extreme challenges. At Sepedaar, education has remained a primary focus. The increased numbers of participants and measurable learner progress are encouraging outcomes of this initiative and reflect the positive impact of their efforts in this area. At the same time, they are actively organising social, cultural, and economic initiatives. These programs are gaining momentum and continue to positively impact youths across many provinces of Afghanistan. 

One participant shared the impact the programme has had: 

Through Ostooreha Program of Sepedaar, I found hope again. I now believe I can still achieve my dreams of pursuing my higher education abroad, even when everything around me has fallen apart.

Riza explained that the direct impact of the work drives the organisation forward: 

This kind of feedback fuels our commitment to continue growing and reaching more lives every day.

Lived experiences as a force for change 

“As a refugee in the UK, my journey has been truly eye-opening and filled with transformation. From the challenges of displacement to the privilege of education, I’ve come to believe that our struggles can be translated into something deeply impactful. Founding the Sepedaar Foundation was not just a response to the challenges in Afghanistan but it was also a declaration that no matter where we come from, we can be a force for change. Observing refugees in the UK, I strongly believe that refugees are more than their circumstances. They are educators, builders, leaders, and changemakers. And with every opportunity they embrace, they can prove that even in exile, greatness can be born.”  

A vision for the future  

Sepedaar aims to become one of Afghanistan’s leading grassroots charities. The vision is to empower Afghanistan to achieve sustainable development, enduring growth, and lasting prosperity. They aim to build a brighter, more educated, and more advanced community in Afghanistan. They also want the world to understand that Afghanistan’s youth are resilient, passionate, and capable. With support, they can rebuild the nation from the ground up.

To learn more, support the work, or get involved: 

*This story is part of our 2025 Refugee Week series celebrating the resilience, creativity, and contributions of displaced people within the University of Edinburgh community.* 

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