The UN and UNDP in Brussels

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1 September 2008 - Contribution agreements signed between the European Commission and UNDP in 2008

As of 1 September 2008, UNDP has concluded more agreements than in the same period in 2007 (38 and 30 respectively) for a similar total amount (87.8 million euros vs. 92.8 million euros). Interestingly, there are currently an additional 30 agreements under preparation. In terms of regional distribution, in 2008 so far most of the new agreements are for programmes in Eastern Europe and the CIS (39% of the number of contracts, 44% of the financial resources), followed by Africa (24%; 22% respectively), then Arab States (13%; 18%), Asia Pacific (12%; 10%) and Latin America and the Caribbean (6%; 2%).

July 2008 - Evaluation of the European Commission's external cooperation with partner countries through the organizations of the UN family

Presenting an evaluation commissioned in 2007, the European Commission acknowledged in July that the EC-UN aid delivery modality brought added value to the Commission, UN and partner countries mainly where (i) it was the sole means of delivering aid; (ii) it enhanced the Commission's participation in policy dialogue with partner countries; and (iii) there were clear benefits to be obtained from the UN's coordination role, experience in the field, and thematic expertise. During the channeling process the European Commission's visibility to the different stakeholders was generally preserved at partner country level. The full evaluation and its complete summary are available on EuropeAid website.

UNDP-EC supported electoral operations

Within the framework of the Joint UNDP-EC Task Force on electoral assistance, the funds dedicated to electoral assistance have been increased in 2008 compared to 2007. The contribution agreements in support of countries concerned so far Yemen, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Zambia, Afghanistan, Togo, Moldova, Haiti, Rwanda, Burundi and the first ever collaboration in a regional project in support of Portuguese Speaking African and Asian Countries. The European Commission and UNDP will also be supporting the preparation of elections in Ivory Coast, Benin and Niger, to take place in 2009. Funding has been made available by the European Commission and joint assessment missions are taking place before the end of the year.

UNDP contribution to EC Communication on the Open Method of Coordination

The European Commission invited UNDP to contribute to its new communication on reinforcing the open method of coordination used within the European strategy for social protection and inclusion. UNDP Brussels, after liaising with Blue Ribbon Commission, submitted to the European Commission the written inputs illustrating UNDP activities in the area of social inclusion, including information on new methodologies for monitoring social inclusion and ethnic data collection practices.