Across Europe and Central Asia, UNDP works with governments, partners and communities to improve people's lives while protecting the planet. 

Our work is organized around four priorities: prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience and a healthy planet. Three accelerators support progress across these priorities: digital and AI transformation, gender equality and sustainable finance. Through regional programmes and initiatives, we bring countries together, share solutions and address challenges that cross borders. 

For country-specific work, explore our Country Office websites below. 

Subscribe to our Europe & Central Asia Digest newsletter on LinkedIn for regular updates from across the region. 

Prosperity for all

Creating opportunities for people to thrive means helping economies change in ways that widen people’s choices, not narrow them. UNDP supports countries to expand decent work, skills, finance and markets, strengthen social protection and care systems, and build more competitive, inclusive and climate-resilient economies. 

Greening the future, advancing rights and stability: Supporting a just green transition that creates opportunities while advancing rights and social stability. 

Aid for Trade in Central Asia: Helping businesses and producers become more competitive and connect to regional and global markets. 

Roma Survey in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine: Building better data on the socioeconomic situation of Roma communities to support more inclusive policies. 

Istanbul Development Dialogues: Bringing together policymakers, experts and partners to discuss emerging development challenges and shape new solutions. 

"Colours of the Economy" podcast: Exploring how economies can become more inclusive, sustainable and resilient through conversations with experts and practitioners. 

Effective governance 

Strong institutions help people live better lives by delivering quality services, protecting rights and building trust. UNDP works with governments, civil society and communities to make institutions more inclusive, transparent and accountable, while improving public services and expanding people’s ability to participate in shaping their future. 

Smart Finance for Accountable Local Governance: Helping local governments strengthen public finance and deliver better, more accountable services. 

Regional Programme for Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2): Strengthening local democracy by bringing local governments and civil society closer together. 

EU Support to Confidence Building in the Western Balkans: Promoting dialogue, reconciliation and cooperation to strengthen trust and lasting peace across the Western Balkans. 

Southeastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC): Supporting safer communities through regional cooperation on small arms control and security. 

Crisis resilience

Crises can quickly reverse years of development progress. UNDP helps countries reduce risks, strengthen preparedness and recover in more inclusive and resilient ways, while protecting development gains and supporting communities to build a stronger future. 

Strengthening the System for Region-wide Disaster Risk Reduction in Central Asia: Strengthening regional cooperation, early warning and preparedness to help Central Asian countries better respond to disasters. 

Enhancing Urban Resilience to Disaster Risk and Climate Change in Central Asia: Helping cities better understand, prepare for and manage growing disaster and climate risks. 

Drin Basin Flood Management: Bringing countries together to reduce flood risks and strengthen climate resilience across the Drin River Basin. 

Healthy planet

Climate change, pollution and nature loss are already affecting lives, livelihoods and economies across the region. UNDP helps countries turn environmental commitments into practical solutions by protecting nature, accelerating the green transition, promoting circularity and building resilience to climate change. 

Balkan Climate Adaptation Futures: A Regional Innovation Initiative for Resilience: Scaling locally led climate adaptation and innovation across the Western Balkans through regional collaboration. 

Central Asia Cryosphere (Glaciers in Central Asia): Strengthening regional cooperation to monitor glaciers, improve water security and build resilience to climate change across Central Asia. 

Dinaric Karst Aquifer System (DIKTAS II): Improving transboundary groundwater governance and protecting one of Europe's largest karst aquifer systems. 

Addressing Marine Litter and Plastics in the Caspian Sea: Helping Caspian countries tackle marine litter and plastic pollution through regional cooperation and systemic solutions. 

Climate Box: Helping young people learn about climate change and take action through education and practical tools. 

Chemicals and Waste: Explore UNDP's work addressing sustainable production and consumption, circularity, waste management and plastic pollution. 

Digital and innovation 

Digital technologies, artificial intelligence and new ways of working are reshaping how governments, businesses and communities respond to development challenges. UNDP helps countries harness these opportunities responsibly through digital transformation, innovation, data, emerging technologies and new financing approaches that improve people’s lives. 

Eurasia Innovation Hub: UNDP's regional innovation platform, connecting data innovation, new technologies, strategic innovation and urban transformation work across the region. 

Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG): Helping cities test new ideas and develop more inclusive, innovative and sustainable local economies. 

City Experiment Fund: Helping cities test and scale innovative solutions to complex urban challenges. 

Alternative Finance Lab: Exploring new ways to finance development, from digital finance and blockchain to crowdfunding and impact investment. 

BOOST Impact Acceleration Programme: Supporting entrepreneurs and innovators to develop and scale solutions to social and environmental challenges. 

Balkan Climate Adaptation Futures: Using innovation and strategic foresight to help Western Balkan countries prepare for future climate risks. 

Istanbul Innovation Days: Bringing together thinkers and practitioners to explore emerging trends and new approaches to development. 

Gender equality

Gender equality is essential to more prosperous, resilient and inclusive societies. UNDP works across its programmes to remove barriers, expand opportunities and help ensure women and men can participate equally in economic, social and public life, from leadership and entrepreneurship to STEM, the green transition and digital transformation. 

Equal Future platform: Advancing gender equality by sharing evidence, knowledge and solutions from across Europe and Central Asia. 

STEM4ALL: Expanding opportunities for women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics across the region. 

Sustainable finance 

Sustainable development requires public and private finance to work towards the same long-term goals. UNDP helps countries strengthen public finance, attract sustainable investment and develop new financing solutions that support national priorities, climate action and more inclusive economies. 

Public & Private Finance for Development: Helping countries strengthen public finance and mobilize private investment for sustainable development. 

Where we work 

Explore UNDP's work across Europe and Central Asia: 

Albania • Armenia • Belarus • Bosnia and Herzegovina • Cyprus • Georgia • Kazakhstan • Kosovo* • Kyrgyzstan • Moldova • Montenegro • North Macedonia • Serbia • Tajikistan • Türkiye • Turkmenistan • Ukraine • Uzbekistan 

*References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).