UNDP in Europe and Central Asia

Europe and Central Asia is a region of transformation.

UNDP works alongside governments, businesses, communities and partners to turn ideas into practical solutions that improve people's lives. From supporting recovery in war-affected communities in Ukraine to strengthening digital public services, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and accelerating climate action, our work responds to the different challenges and opportunities countries face across the region.

Our work is guided by UNDP's Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and the Regional Programme for Europe and Central Asia 2026–2029. We focus on four interconnected priorities: Prosperity for All, Effective Governance, Crisis Resilience and a Healthy Planet. Across all areas, digital and AI transformation, gender equality and sustainable finance help accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Across Europe and Central Asia, every country has its own priorities, but many share common challenges and ambitions. Through its regional network, UNDP connects people, ideas and expertise to help countries learn from one another, scale what works and accelerate progress across the region.

Our presence in Europe and Central Asia

UNDP works across Europe and Central Asia through a network of programme and project offices in 18 countries and territories, supported by the Regional Hub in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Our programmes are delivered in Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo*, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

At the heart of this regional network, the Istanbul Regional Hub brings together expertise, partnerships and innovation to support UNDP teams and partners across the region. The Hub provides policy and programme support, leads regional initiatives and creates platforms where governments, civil society, businesses and other partners can exchange ideas, test new approaches and develop solutions to shared challenges.

The region also connects to UNDP's global policy support network, including the UNDP Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (IICPSD) in Türkiye, the UNDP Global Policy Centre for Governance in Oslo, Norway, the Seoul Policy Centre (USPC) in the Republic of Korea, the Singapore Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development (GCTISD), the UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition in Italy, and the Doha Partnership and Technical Advice Office in Qatar.

Together, this network connects country-level experience, regional expertise and global knowledge, helping UNDP bring ideas and solutions across borders and adapt them to different contexts.

*All references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of the Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).