Submit A Request

How to Submit

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    Request Format
    You can submit a request in any language🌐, by email📧, social app📱, or paper mail📭.
     
    There is NO REQUIRED FORMAT, but it helps if you include:
    • Your name, address, phone number, and any other contact information.
    • If you want your identity to be kept private (confidential), let us know and explain why.
    • The name, location, and type of UNDP project or activity (if you know it).
    • How you were (or might be) harmed by the project.
    • If you are submitting the request on behalf of someone else (such as a community group), please include proof that you have their authorization to do so.
    • Explain what social and environmental commitment UNDP made that you believe was not met.
    People submitting requests can ask SECU to keep their name and identity confidential. When sending your request in any format, simply indicate this and explain why.
    Ways To Submit

    Mailing Address

    Attn: SECU, OAI, UNDP
    1 U.N. Plaza, 4th Floor
    New York, NY, USA 10017
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    Please Note: SECU is not involved in project design and implementation. For inquiries related to such issues, please contact the specific country office (CO) associated with a UNDP-sponsored project.

    Who Can Send a Request?
    • Any person or community who believes a UNDP project has hurt them or the environment--or might hurt them--can send a request.
    • A trusted group, like a Civil Society Organization (CSO), can also send a request on behalf of an individual or community.
    • People who request can ask SECU to keep their name and identity private (confidential). When you send a request (in any approved format), just state this and why.

    How it Works

    Click on each stage of the process for details on how it works.

    Eligibility Determination

    Eligibility Requirements ✅
    • Relate to a project or programme supported by UNDP.
    • Raise actual or potential issues relating to compliance with UNDP's social and environmental commitments.
    • Reflect that, as a result of UNDP's noncompliance with its social and environmental commitments, complainants may be or have been harmed.
    Exclusions ❌
    • A request is filed fraudulently or for malicious purposes.
    • It is about fraud, corruption, or UNDP procurement issues (these go to another unit within the Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) at UNDP.
    • It does not concern a UNDP activity failing to meet its social or environmental commitments.
    • It relates to projects and programmes that are not supported by UNDP or for which UNDP's support has ended and its role can no longer reasonably be considered a cause of the concerns raised in the claim.
    • It is the same request already sent to SECU (unless there is significant new information or a significant change in circumstances).
    • It is sent with no name or contact (anonymous).

    Compliance Review Process

    Compliance Review Video
    Steps in the Compliance Review Process
    Request for Investigation
    1

    SECU registers the request in the Case Registry within 5 days.

    2

    SECU informs requester(s) that the request has been received.

    During this review, SECU contacts the requester(s), UNDP staff, and project partners, and reviews relevant documents.
    3

    Within 20 days, SECU reviews the request to check if it meets the eligibility criteria.

    4
    If the request meets criteria

    SECU drafts a Terms of Reference within 20 days (scope, methods, standards) and then begins the investigation once the ToR is public.

    If the request doesn’t meet the criteria

    SECU explains the reasons to the requester(s), may refer the matter to another UNDP unit, and records the eligibility outcome in the Case Registry.

    5

    SECU starts the investigation after the Terms of Reference are made public.

    The investigation includes:
    1. Notifying the requester(s) that the review has started
    2. Consulting with stakeholders
    3. Collecting and analyzing facts and documents
    4. Conducting the investigation diligently
    6

    SECU prepares a draft report with the investigation results.

    7

    SECU shares a factual summary with the requester(s) and UNDP team for accuracy checks.

    8

    The draft report is published for a 20-day comment period.

    9

    SECU reviews comments, finalizes the report, and submits it to the UNDP Administrator for decision.

    10

    The UNDP Administrator issues a written decision outlining actions to address noncompliance and harm.

    11

    SECU monitors implementation of the Administrator’s decision.

    Responding to Non-Compliance

    When SECU finds that a UNDP project has not complied with UNDP's social and environmental commitments SECU will make recommendations to address non-compliance and mitigate harm to the UNDP Administrator, who will then decide what actions the organization will take. These actions can vary depending on the project, the issues identified, and the harm involved.

    Monitoring & Closure

    In cases where UNDP is found to be out of compliance and the Administrator directs staff to undertake remedial measures, SECU will keep the case open and monitor the situation until actions taken by UNDP assure SECU that UNDP is addressing the noncompliance. This monitoring may involve desk review, correspondence with the affected communities, progress reports from the Country Office or relevant business unit, and onsite inspections, as appropriate. When UNDP completes the steps to bring the project into compliance, SECU will close the case.