Empowering Lives, Building Resilience

17 January 2012 (PDF, 2Mb)
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Summary

This publication features success stories from 16 countries where UNDP support has resulted in transformative changes, including by fostering the growth of institutional and human capacities.

 

To qualify as a transformational success, a story needed to demonstrate tangible and sustainable achievements, substantiated by data and personal testimonies. Since these depend on significant changes in institutions, attitudes and behaviours, which require long-term efforts, each story chronicles a development intervention that generally spans a 5-to-10-year period.

 

The success stories in this publication show how UND P has contributed to building the capabilities of government institutions, civil society and the private sector by providing seed funding, expertise and implementation support, and by bringing different parties together. Across the stories, several key factors emerge as critical to fostering long-term, transformational change. Foremost among these are: national ownership, capacity development, knowledge and innovation and partnerships.

Overview of stories

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Belarus peat mire

Belarus: A new approach to managing resources

Dry soil, scarce vegetation, deafening silence interrupted only by the howling wind – Belarus’ Bartenikha fen mire was devastated by decades of poorly managed peat extraction. more

Croatia environment

Croatia: Energy efficiency programme generates huge savings

Early in 2011 the energy-efficiency team in the Croatian Ministry of Justice was alarmed at abnormally high rates of water use recorded at Lepoglava Prison, a more

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Kyrgyzstan rule of law

Kyrgyzstan: Protecting the privacy and dignity of people living with HIV and AIDS

By Larisa Bashmakova and Jyldyz Kuvatova Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – When he learned that he had acquired HIV from injecting drugs, 35-year-old Mirlan (not his real name) more

Young people working for a social enterprise

Moldova: Vulnerable youth and women make a fresh start

When Nicolae was just five years old, his sole caretaker died, forcing him to beg for money on the street. At the age of eight, Nicolae more

Montenegro defense

Montenegro: Defense reform brings greater security

Montenegro’s Boka Bay is a place of striking beauty. Only a few years ago, this unique place faced a dire threat : 128 tonnes of toxic more

Disabilities in Serbia

Serbia: Creating opportunities for people with disabilities

Jelena Petrovic once faced steep obstacles in finding a job. Because of a hearing impairment, she had to endure the prejudice of prospective employers against hiring someone more

Tajikistan microfinance

Tajikistan: Microfinance targets the rural poor

In 2003, Zuhrobonu Nazarova opened a small snack bar in a market in rural Tajikistan. The income she and her husband earned barely supported their six more

Farmer in Turkey

Turkey: moving towards climate-friendly development

Ten years ago, only a dozen Turkish Government officials worked on climate change issues. Today, over 300 officials work in the field, and national policies exist more

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