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"Lights Stay On" photo exhibition spotlights UNDP - European Union partnership in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine is having devastating humanitarian and economic consequences. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the EU and UNDP have supported the recovery of war-affected communities through restoring basic services, creating jobs, demining agricultural land, and rehabilitating energy and social infrastructure, including schools. A documentary photo exhibition “The Lights Stay On” at the European Parliament provides a powerful visual narrative of Ukraine’s resilience in the face of war and highlights the enduring partnership between the EU and UNDP in supporting recovery and development across the country. The exhibition captures the stories and portraits of 15 Ukrainians, showcasing moments of courage, perseverance, and hope. The visual concept draws inspiration from Belgian artist René Magritte’s work “L’état de veille” (“The Waking State”), evoking war-damaged buildings where light shines through broken windows as a symbol of life persisting amid destruction.

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Person in green jacket with hands clasped, Ukrainian flag and government building in background

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Press Releases
UNDP and the European Union launch a new project to support debris management and nationally-led forensics capacities in the Gaza Strip

The 18-month project to support emergency debris removal across Gaza and improve dignified recovery and identification of human remains.

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Two workers bending over leafy greens in a sunny greenhouse.
News
Luxembourg and UNDP partner to tackle crises and fight inequalities

As one of UNDP’s top 20 core donors, Luxembourg plays a vital role in enabling UNDP to reach those furthest behind, making faster progress towards the SDGs and…

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Photograph of a woman wearing a beige hijab and brown top, browsing clothes on racks in a store.
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Photo exhibition in Brussels spotlights the resilience of Yemenis

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Press Releases
“Generation Trust” premiere in Brussels calls for stronger support to youth climate action

Movie follows five young climate leaders as they work to bring concrete climate solutions to life in their communities.

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Several young women in hijabs sit at desks in a bright classroom.
News
Belgium’s new funding to UNDP to advance innovative development solutions

Belgium announced a multiannual contribution of EUR 30 million for the period 2025–2028 to UNDP’s core resources, a flexible form of funding that enables to…

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Our mission

UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in some 170 countries and territories, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges as they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

Located in the heart of Europe, the UNDP Office in Brussels supports and promotes the partnership with the European Union, one of our major partners in nearly 140 countries worldwide in areas such as crisis and fragility, governance, and climate.

Stories

Photograph of a harbor construction site with a blue crane lifting a load; ships in background.
Stories
Turning the tide: Building a resilient port for Burundi

The Port of Bujumbura is no longer being viewed simply as infrastructure to be repaired or expanded. It is being reimagined as a system that must function under…

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Man in a dark shirt uses a blue megaphone on a street; pedestrians in the background.
Blog
Why recovery should begin before disasters strike: rethinking resilience for a stronger future

When disasters strike, the world scrambles to respond: emergency services are deployed, aid begins to flow, and global attention briefly turns to the affected…

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Blog
‘Fund Resilience, Not Disasters’: The Risk-Informed Development Learning Journey in Ethiopia and Burundi

Today, no corner of the globe is immune from the devastating consequences of climate change-driven disasters. Our partnership with EU fosters risk-informed…

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a person washing their hands
Stories
Through the scars, light floods in

Hana’s story moves like a swinging pendulum, but her unwavering encouragement shines through. “If you ask me how I faced this uphill climb to reach this point, I…

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a somali woman
Stories
Baahi-koob, a go-to place for survivors of violence in Somaliland

Since 2008, Baahi-koob One-Stop Centres in Somaliland have provided essential, survivor-centered services for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) survivors,…

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EU - UNDP partnership at a glance

100+

countries

we have been working together

140

countries

have national climate plans

$2.7

billion

unlocked for nature, helping ensure that infrastructure initiatives protect the planet

86

countries

aligned their budgets and financing with the SDGs

120

public facilities

rehabilitated in Ukraine

80,000

women

empowered to lead small and medium businesses in Afghanistan

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