Asia & the Pacific

This section offers some guiding principles to be used when seeking to identify "good practices" in the governance, poverty, and environment and energy projects/practices areas of the UNDP. It is important to note that the terms "good" and "best" practice are subject to some controversy and should be used very carefully given the fact that development outcomes are highly contextual. Possible principles could include all or a combination of several of the following criteria:

Basic Criteria

1. Inducing Strategic Policy Changes -practices/projects that have the greatest impact on accomplishing a goal or producing significant results in an area. The project or practice informs policy development and led to the establishment of capacity. In this respect, they could be seen as being catalytic in nature.

2. Innovation -projects and practices which have been innovative, new and creative in their approach. More specifically, the project/practice could adhere to two criteria in terms of innovation. First, it should be context-specific, meaning that although an approach may be based on experiences tested in other countries previously, it would be particularly innovative in the given country. Second, the innovation should have global value for the practice. This refers to an approach that is considered revolutionary because it introduces new approaches and methodologies that have not been used before.

3. Significant impacts -this principle is very important as it extends beyond the simple impact on policy changes to look at other broader outcomes such as direct or indirect contributions to the country's development goals. In fact, positive impact on policy does not necessarily mean that there is also a positive welfare outcome.

4. Sustainability and ownership -the practice or project should be demand-driven, country-led and owned, and building on existing capacities and cultural context.

5. Replicability, flexibility, and value for the practice network -the practice has the potential to be replicated, in different countries and areas (within a country, as a base model for further application. Flexibility is also tied to replicability in that it allows for adaptation to support future learning, in response to changing circumstances and accumulation of experiences. Similarly, the practice should be of current relevance to the practice network(s) and can be synthesized for knowledge sharing purposes.

6. Supports Overarching Goals of MDGs and Capacity Development -the projects help promote the distinctive contributions UNDP can make to its overarching goals as agreed to in consultation with its governing body.

7. Dialogue and participation -the project/practice is an example of convergence and participation/collaboration among stakeholders (beneficiaries, donors, civil society organisations, national government, local government, local communities, private sector). This collaboration could take place at the local, national, regional or international level or interfaces between them.

8. Inclusiveness and appropriate social preparation -the project/practice pays special attention to targeted groups (for example women and ethnic minorities) and pays attention to appropriate social preparation, involving among others community organisation, information dissemination, and awareness building, adapted to the specific situation of the beneficiaries.

9. Rights based approach to development -the practice/project supports measures to strengthen the empowerment of people (especially the most marginalized and excluded) so that they are in a better position to claim their rights. The practice or project also develops rights-sensitive assessment methodologies demonstrating the links between rights, obstacles faced for realisation and strengths and assets around which people secure their livelihoods.

10. Demonstrates successful partnerships -partnerships related to the practice or project respect national ownership, the UNDP's neutral approach, and benefit capacity building for national stakeholders.

11. Demonstrates the unique value of UNDP as a global development network -the practice/project represents a good representation of the spirit of the UNDP brand and helps to define value-added activities for UNDP in a particular area of involvement.

12. Builds on the synergies of the core practice areas of UNDP -the project has taken an integrated and multidisciplinary approach that builds on cross practice work between 2 or more UNDP practices.

13. Helps promote UN family collaboration -in light of the spirit of MDGs, the CCA/UNDAF process, and the S.G. reforms, the project provides important lessons to guide further UNDP activities in a Practice in collaboration with other UN agencies.