VISION STATEMENT

UNDP Nepal works with the people and Government of Nepal, and other development partners to pursue equitable and sustainable human development goals through eradication of poverty, increase in livelihood opportunities, improvement in community resilience against conflict, disasters and impact of climate change, while laying down strong foundations for a society based on rule of law with an inclusive and participatory democracy.

WHAT DO WE DO?

UNDP has been supporting the Nepalese people in their struggle against poverty since it opened an in-country office in 1963. Much of this support has gone to building up the capacity of government agencies, civil society and community groups to fight poverty, and to bringing these groups and Nepal's donors together to design and implement successful poverty alleviation projects.

UNDP in Nepal concentrates its efforts for greater impact in the most remote, poor areas of Madhesh Province, Karnali Province and Sudurpaschim Province where its rights-based interventions are targeted towards the disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. The UNDP programmes seek opportunities for joint programming with other United Nations organizations and engage in joint planning and monitoring of development activities in selected districts. 

UNDP's actions and programmes are defined in its Country Programme Document (CPD 2018-2022) which is aligned with priorities of the Government of Nepal. The CPD is based on the broader United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF 2018-2022). Currently, UNDP Nepal is working on drafting its new CPD cycle (2023-2027) by identifying a set of prioritized 'asks' emerging from partner and stakeholder consultations and informed by the inital outcome ares emerging from the parallel UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH?

Currently the overarching priority of our work in Nepal is to help the Government and its people build a lasting peace and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Currently we are working in these areas:

• Inclusive Economic Growth
• Democratic Governance
• Resilience
• Gender Equality and Social Inclusion 

WHAT ARE OUR RESULTS in 2021?

INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

When the country was hard hit by the pandemic, UNDP in partnership with GON helped recover livelihoods and build resilience of over 360,000 Nepalis, mostly the most vulnerable ones and those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through livelihood support and creation of jobs. Also on the policy front, to ensure inclusive economic growth, UNDP assisted the government at all three levels to strengthen policymaking, planning and implementation capacities focusing on SDG localization (e.g. direct support in formulation of 22 policy documents, strategies and plans).

RESILIENCE

In 2021, the Government of Nepal completed the massive post-earthquake reconstruction ensuring the new structures withstand future shocks. UNDP assisted over 157,000 people get roof over their heads (homes) by completing the reconstruction of over 31,500 earthquake-safe houses in Gorkha, Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha. This also helped institutionalize an inclusive reconstruction process in Nepal, ensuring the most vulnerable get the first priority. More importantly, three disaster-prone municipalities were assisted to put in place necessary policies to systematize urban disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response.

Climate change: UNDP supported the Ministry of Finance to access international climate finance by assisting the accreditation of 2 national entities with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and preparing a Country Programme Document outlining how Nepal will utilize the Fund. Assisted formulation of a number of key policy documents, including NDC implementation plan and capacity enhancement of policy makers at the federal and provincial level to internalize climate ambitions into plans and programmes.

GOVERNANCE

Provided tailored support to help federalism take root in Nepal, especially through capacity enhancement of national and subnational governments (over 3,100 civil servants trained on accountable governance), strengthening electoral institutions, and enhancing service delivery and rule of law for the most vulnerable. Among others, the support contributed to ensure all Provincial Centres for Good Governance are operational. On policy front, UNDP provided technical support to formulate around 30 key policy instruments, including model laws for local governments.

GENDER & SOCIAL INCLUSION

UNDP contributed to promote gender equality and social inclusion through the economic empowerment, including emergency cash relief, of women and historically marginalized communities. Over 26,000 micro entrepreneurs, 82% of them women, were created through the governments micro-enterprise development programmed assisted by UNDP. The introduction of temporary basic income for 2500 ultra-poor women not just help them weather COVID-19 but also linked them with government’s health insurance policy for longer term resilience.

COVID RESPONSE

Over three million people benefited from health system support during the height of COVID-19 pandemic, with UNDP assisting hospital waste management across provinces and digitation of the immunization system. Critical support was provided to enhance response-capacity of provincial and local level health institutions through provision of emergency medical equipment and crisis communications.