In crisis-affected settings – where governance systems are often fragmented and state-society relations strained – strengthening multi-level governance (MLG) is essential to enabling inclusive, coordinated and resilient development responses. To support this, UNDP has developed two companion knowledge products aimed at enhancing governance effectiveness in fragile contexts:

• The Lessons Learned Review examines how MLG functions in crisis-affected settings, drawing on four case studies to analyze key actors, systems, and strategies. It explores how MLG can strengthen social contracts, improve coordination and build resilience, offering practical recommendations for UNDP’s work in complex environments.
• The Toolkit to Strengthen MLG in Crisis-Affected Settings offers actionable guidance, tools and real-world examples to help Country Offices and partners apply MLG principles in practice. It provides entry points, reflective questions, and step-by-step guidance for implementing more adaptive and inclusive governance systems.

Together, these resources equip practitioners with the evidence and tools needed to navigate complex governance landscapes and reorient policy and programming toward more networked and adaptive governance, recognizing the fluid interplay across local, national, regional and global levels, and promoting inclusive decision-making and service delivery.

Both publications are available by clicking on the DOWNLOAD button on the left.