Restoring core government functions

Sustainable development in any context, including but not limited only to fragile and crisis-affected settings, is not possible without strengthening the basic functionality of core governance institutions to deliver quality services, improve accountability and expand opportunities for inclusive economic and social progress. SDG16 highlights the centrality of effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels for sustainable development and peace.

UNDP helps national and local government partners to build capable, responsive, open, inclusive and accountable core governance institutions that reinforce the dynamic relationship between the State and the people across all developmental contexts across more than 80 countries. UNDP supports institutional resilience in post-crises contexts impacted by disrupted institutional capacities as well as those experiencing pockets of institutional fragility in more stable environments. Our demand-driven support is designed to kick-start progress towards:

• Resilient centers of government in transitional and post-conflict contexts (e.g. Office of the President/Prime Minister, Cabinet ministries and relevant executive-level Chiefs of Staff offices);
• Conflict-sensitive public sector reform of key social service-oriented ministries at the national and local levels;
• Strengthened multi-level governance processes, systems and mechanisms for service delivery and economic recovery;
• Women’s equal participation in decision-making and representation in government

UNDP also offers strategic assistance to countries to assess and determine how responsive key government agencies are to internationally agreed standards through its toolkit on ‘Assessing the Respect for Rule of Law Principles in Public Administration’. It provides government agencies with an easily applicable method to assess their relations with the societies they serve.

As part of these efforts, UNDP co-chairs the UN Interagency Platform on Strengthening Core Government Functions in Fragile and Crisis-affected Settings along with DPPA-PBSO, and works closely with the World Bank, DPO, UNICEF, UNWOMEN, UNDESA, UNHCR, OCHA, UNCDF, UN Habitat, UNV, and UNFPA. UNDP shares a joint diagnostic framework with the World Bank on restoring core government functions, titled Rebuilding Core Government Functions in Fragile and Conflict-affected Settings: Joint Principles for Assessing Key Issues and Priorities. UNDP also collaborates with established academic and non-governmental partners such as the Folke Bernadotte Academy of Sweden, Princeton University, Oxford University, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and others.