LocationsPartners at Core
Across the world, UNDP is engaged in taking on the toughest development challenges, helping countries fight poverty, responding to crises, and striving to build a better future. To do this effectively needs reliable funding. The most important funding is called "core" resources, provided mostly by member countries.
Core is a general fund – it's flexible, unlike money labeled for specific projects. This means UNDP can use such funding where it's needed most, whether that's quickly responding to a natural disaster, filling gaps in long-term development projects that aren't getting enough attention, or tackling unexpected challenges.
Here's why flexibility matters:
- Helping the Poorest: A big chunk of core money goes directly to the world's poorest countries, focusing on those hardest to reach and most in need.
- Fast Crisis Response: When disaster strikes or conflict breaks out, core funds allow UNDP to act immediately, providing vital support in those crucial ‘make or break’ early moments.
- Attracting More Money: Core funding acts like smart investment. When UNDP can show it has a solid foundation with core money, this encourages other organizations, charities, and even businesses to pitch in with more specific funding, multiplying our work’s impact.
- Trying New Ideas: Core funding allows UNDP to experiment with innovative solutions to development challenges, like our "Accelerator Labs" that explore new approaches and solutions. It also supports important research, and reports that shape global thinking on development.
- Keeping Things Running Smoothly: This flexible money also underpins UNDP's global network of offices and staff, allowing them to provide on-the-ground support to governments and work efficiently within the broader UN system. It also ensures that we can maintain high standards, and be transparent and accountable in our work.
Core support in action - Video highlights
During the COVID pandemic, women, particularly the vulnerable ones, were highly impacted. As part of a larger COVID response package, UNDP joined hands to provide temporary basic income to these vulnerable women to help them cope with the worst effects of the crisis.
UNDP Nepal’s cash-for-work initiative in Kavre district, supported flood-hit communities in rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and reviving local infrastructure—boosting resilience, local economies, and hope.
During the pandemic, Nirmala found purpose through work, creating Mithila artworks for a UNDP campaign promoting mask use, social distancing, and community resilience.
UNDP Accelerator Lab Nepal, with local partners, is turning plastic waste into upcycled benches. So far, 1,687 kg of plastic—equal to 110,000+ shampoo bottles—has been diverted from landfills to create 22 benches, including an initial 12-bench pilot at Pump Track, Lalitpur.
With the support of UNDP and the local government, a large swath of riverside and riverbed land were been turned into lush green vegetable farms. The project also provided seeds, chemical fertilizers, technical know-how, and irrigation facilities to support the families engaged in riverbed farming.
Supported by UNDP, SDG localization in Nepal adapted global goals to local contexts by integrating national targets into local plans and ensuring community participation in implementation and monitoring.
Top Core Donors
We deeply value the flexible funding provided by our donors and partners, which is instrumental in enabling UNDP to adapt to a changing development landscape and effectively deliver on our vision and mission.
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