With its Culture and Development initiative, the Goethe Institute employs specific consulting and training programmes to promote institutions and stakeholders from culture, the media and society, in particular in countries involved in development cooperation. The programmes aim to provide professional qualifications, to advise and support the formation of regional networks and create cultural and social platforms.

In Afghanistan it organises a theatre festival taking place every year that makes a contribution to the constitution of the civil society and conflict prevention with artistic handling and presenting current society-critical subjects.