Objectives of the United Nations Democracy Fund
United Nations Democracy Fund distinguishes itself by allocating the majority of its funds to local civil society organizations, offering a unique and complementary role to the United Nations’ more traditional work with governments. The objectives of UNDEF are below-
- Support Democratization Efforts: UNDEF was created to support global democratization efforts.
- Empower Civil Society: UNDEF aims to empower civil society organizations as part of its project funding, recognizing their crucial role in democratic processes.
- Promote Human Rights: The fund is dedicated to promoting human rights globally through its project funding initiatives.
- Encourage Inclusive Participation: UNDEF seeks to encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes, ensuring inclusivity in governance.
- Funding Local Civil Society Organizations: The majority of UNDEF funds are directed towards local civil society organizations, acknowledging their pivotal role in fostering democratic governance.
- Complement Traditional UN Work: UNDEF plays a unique role in complementing the United Nations’ traditional work with governments, thereby strengthening democratic governance on a global scale.
- Voluntary Contributions: UNDEF subsists entirely on voluntary contributions from governments, fostering a collaborative approach to supporting democracy.
- Diverse Donor Base: With contributions reaching almost $220 million in 2021 and donors from more than 45 countries, including middle- and low-income states in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, UNDEF boasts a diverse and broad donor base.
- Project Scope: UNDEF has supported over 880 two-year projects in more than 130 countries, spanning various areas such as electoral processes, women’s empowerment, media and freedom of information, rule of law and human rights, and civil society interaction with government.
- Focused Grants: Grants ranging from US$100,000 to US$300,000 support initiatives in specific areas, including support for electoral processes, women’s empowerment, media and freedom of information, rule of law and human rights, and strengthening civil society interaction with the government.
- Selective Funding Process: UNDEF follows a selective funding process, receiving around 2,000-3,000 proposals annually but choosing only approximately 50 projects through its 15 Rounds of Funding so far.
United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF)
The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) was established by UN Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan in 2005 to support projects worldwide that enhance democratic governance. UNDEF, part of the United Nations, gives money to projects that focus on human rights, inclusive political processes, and civic engagement. The fund is crucial for spreading democratic values worldwide and making democratic institutions stronger.
In this article, we will read about the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), its objectives, funded projects, and India’s contribution to UNDEF.
Table of Content
- What is the United Nations Democracy Fund?
- Objectives of the United Nations Democracy Fund
- Projects Funded by United Nations Democracy Fund
- India’s Contribution to United Nations Democracy Fund
- Where United Nations Democracy Fund is used ?