Boosting Productivity, Preserving Traditional Art

UNDP is catalyzing the national transition from a linear to a circular economy (CE) by strengthening the evidence base, advancing policy and local implementation, and mobilizing private‑sector innovation. Nationally, UNDP worked with DENR to develop OECD‑aligned circular economy indicators and a baseline data platform; conducted systems mapping of the plastic economy and stocktaking of CE initiatives; and ran ethnographic studies in key cities to design behavior‑change communications. Locally, pilot LGUs (e.g., Baguio, Pasig, Ormoc, Iloilo, Dumangas, Passi) embedded CE objectives in plans and launched practical interventions (e.g., tarpaulin upcycling, agri‑waste repurposing, CE hubs, EPR collaborations). Scaling CE requires sustained TA, financing, and market linkages for emerging green enterprises.

UNDP bridges the digital divide by bringing public services closer to those left behind and enabling data‑driven governance. Through Pintig Data Lab, UNDP localized advanced analytics for granular estimation of social metrics (e.g., poverty, waste generation) to inform pandemic and disaster management, as well as local food systems prototypes. In Pasig City during COVID‑19, UNDP supported digital aid delivery, co‑created measures for a digital financial ecosystem, and helped entrepreneurs pivot—e.g., rapid PPE production matched to markets via a digital platform, plus support for women‑led transition to digital business and online tools for recovery/resilience planning. UNDP also developed an online community of practice on preventing violent extremism to connect peace actors and resources.

UNDP’s livelihoods portfolio strengthens MSME value‑chain integration and market linkages, enabling business growth via access to inputs (e.g., high‑value crop seeds/seedlings, machinery), value‑addition, and product diversification—complemented by partnerships with government service providers and private institutions to widen market reach. Agricultural support (for smallholders and fisherfolk) focuses on modern equipment and quality farm inputs, boosting production, processing, and marketing while building climate resilience in a sector employing ~25% of the labor force and contributing ~9% of GDP (2023). Cross‑cutting work includes capacity development, safety nets, enterprise development, resilience building, and post‑conflict reintegration to ensure recovery and stabilization in fragile areas.

UNDP positions social enterprises (SEs) and innovation as accelerators for the SDGs through capacity building, research/advocacy, partnerships, and supportive policy reform. Under the Innovations for Social Impact Partnership (ISIP) (with Australia), UNDP provided tailored mentorship and technical support to 39 SEs, with 18 securing external funding offers (~USD 1 million). UNDP also strengthens university‑based hubs to capacitate SEs and advances policy research to grow the ecosystem. Regionally, youth entrepreneurship is propelled via Youth Co:Lab (with Citi Foundation), placing young innovators front and center.