The Reflections series synthesizes lessons from past evaluations to support organizational learning about what works and what doesn't. This paper examines past evaluations to provide seven lessons on support to empowering marginalized groups:

1. UNDP was most impactful where it could clearly identify who was marginalized and measure results of empowerment beyond counting those targeted.
2. Addressing multiple and intersecting vulnerabilities contributes to more effective targeting and better results.
3. Interventions targeting marginalized groups were most transformative where they adapted to local context and addressed the root causes of vulnerability, including discrimination.
4. “Nothing about us without us.” Inclusive and participatory processes give voice to marginalized people and strengthen their ability to influence decision makers.
5. Integrated approaches tend to better address complexity and to increase scalability and sustainability of empowerment results.
6. Empowerment requires long-term commitment with measurable pathways for achieving transformative and sustainable results, one milestone at a time.
7. Effective implementation of policy change in favour of marginalized groups is more likely where UNDP supports national and local government ownership and strengthens civil society organizations.