Projects

This project is part of the support provided by DESA/DSDP to the Republic of Armenia since 2008. This particular project aims at improving the situation of older persons, young people and families in the country as it transitioned to a market economy. Activities were created to enhance the Government’s capacity to formulate practical strategies on older persons, develop the National Family Policy and to conduct a National Youth Study for Armenia. This includes conducting training workshops and providing advisory services to ministry officials and relevant stakeholders. DESA/DSPD was supported by UNDP and UNFPA country offices in Armenia in the implementation of the project.

Time Frame: February 2011 – 2012

Funding: RPTC

Budget: US$ 32,799

Division: DSPD

Focus Countries: Armenia

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The implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People is supported by a project organized and implemented by DSPD in four selected countries in Africa and Asia that have significant indigenous populations. Through a series of multi-stakeholder meetings and workshops, the project brings together indigenous leaders and government officials to develop strategies for the implementation of the Declaration; to assess the situation of indigenous peoples in each country; and to provide advice for the drafting of legislative, policy and administrative measures that ensure the social integration and inclusive development of indigenous peoples.

Time Frame: November 2014 – 2017

Funding: DA

Budget: US$ 524,000

Division: DSPD

Focus Countries: Cambodia, Nepal, Kenya, South Africa

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Peru was among the first countries in the world to become a party to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2008. Although the Peruvian Government had made progress in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, there was a lack of capacity at national and local level to fully understand and implement the UNCRPD. The support provided by DSPD included training on various disability issues and analysis of the legal, financial and social consequences of CRPD implementation. In addition, the project explored other areas of social development where the Government needed capacity building support.

Time Frame: September 2013 – 2013

Funding: RPTC

Budget: US$ 4,206

Division: DSPD

Focus Countries: Peru

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Since ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the South African Government has made progress in promoting rights of persons with disabilities. However, the Government continued to face challenges with implementing and promoting understanding of the Convention at the national and local level. To improve this situation, DSPD was asked to organize a training-for-trainers course for South African Human Rights Commission officers and local public officers. DSPD conducted the training using existing materials and created an additional training module relevant to the South African context.

Time Frame: October 2013 – 2013

Funding: RPTC

Budget: US$ 35,825

Division: DSPD

Focus Countries: South Africa

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In 2012, DSPD undertook a project to improve the situation of older persons in Albania, following a request for assistance from Albania’s Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Equal Opportunities. The project aimed at strengthening the capacities of Government officials and other stakeholders to analyse social situations and develop, coordinate and implement relevant social development policies and programmes. Staff from the Ministry and non-governmental institutions were introduced to the social assessment methodology through several workshops and technical support. This raised awareness and understanding of ageing issues in the country and helped them to formulate an evidence-based, inclusive ageing strategy.

Time Frame: May 2012 – 2012

Funding: RPTC

Budget: US$ 54,260

Division: DSPD

Focus Countries: Albania

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In 2012 the Government of Tajikistan requested DESA provide assistance in formulating national disability policy in preparation for the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In addition to analysing the legal consequences of ratifying the Convention, the project provided training on disability issues through various workshops and provided advisory services to Government officials. This assisted the Government to implement the Convention, reform the social protection system in the country and introduce sound social policies aimed at persons with disabilities.

Time Frame: January 2012 – 2014

Funding: RPTC

Budget: US$ 30,864

Division: DSPD

Focus Countries: Tajikistan

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The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus requested UNDESA conduct a family survey in response to ageing and population decline in the country. The survey assessed the effectiveness of measures of state family policy and its influence on Belarusian family stability and provided reliable data for policy formulation and recommendations to improve the system. In addition, the project also helped to build the capacity of related Ministries and NGOs on how to conduct studies for policy formulation and how to use evidence-based tools for formulating family policies.

Time Frame: August 2011-2012

Funding: RPTC

Budget: US$ 14,879

Division: DSPD

Focus Countries: Belarus

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In 2012, the Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal requested DESA’s assistance in formulating an evidence-based National Policy on Ageing. As a first step, DESA/DSPD provided expertise, methodology and tools to the Government to assist in conducting a national survey on ageing. It then encouraged national institutions and civil society organizations to use scientific tools and relevant data for formulating the national policy, as well as related capacity building and mobilization programmes for its implementation.

Time Frame: April 2012 – 2013

Funding: RPTC

Budget: US$ 86,864

Division: DSPD

Focus Countries: Nepal

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This project focuses on developing a youth strategy for 2014-20 and on conducting training for the staff of the Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as for youth workers. The program will increase the capacity of Government officials and youth organizations to develop strategies addressing the needs of young people in Moldova and to offer more targeted services to them.

Time Frame: July 2014 – December 2015

Funding: RPTC

Budget: US$ 61,788

Division: DSPD

Focus Countries: Moldova

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This project aimed to improve the capacity of the Government of Macedonia to formulate policies for youth and for older persons. Through training and information, the project increased awareness about the Madrid International Plan on Ageing (MIPAA) among government officials and representatives of local non-government organizations. Additional training on community care for older persons was also organized for officials working in the social and health care sector at a technical level. Secondly, DESA/DSPD assisted the National Agency on Youth and Sports in preparing a national youth strategy.

Time Frame: July 2014 – December 2014

Funding: RPTC

Budget: US$ 51,004

Division: DSPD

Focus Countries: Macedonia

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With this project, DESA assisted the Government of Kyrgyzstan in its initiative to address the needs of an ageing population. Firstly, DSPD provided advice and technical support in the completion of the Survey on Ageing. Secondly, it helped with formulating evidence-based policy on ageing. Both activities had made Government officials better equipped to undertake surveys and make informed decisions with regard to national policies on ageing.

Time Frame: June 2014 – December 2014

Funding: RPTC

Budget: US$ 140,394

Division: DSPD

Focus Countries: Kyrgyzstan

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This project aimed to improve legislation on financial cooperatives in Lesotho and allow access to finance to small businesses, especially in rural areas. DESA/DSPD organized training for Government staff and a round table of stakeholders to better define the needs of financial cooperatives. Subsequently, DESA/DSPD assisted the Government in drafting legislation on financial cooperatives and held a workshop to validate the legislation. In addition to increasing the level of understanding on legislation for financial cooperatives, the project also raised knowledge on how to provide micro-credit to social groups in rural and urban areas.

Time Frame: September 2014 – December 2014

Funding: RPTC

Budget: US$ 32,612

Division: DSPD

Focus Countries: Lesotho

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As of May 2014, 39 African states have ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. However, in several cases there is lack of awareness and knowledge of the Convention and low capacity to implement it. To narrow this gap, DESA/DSPD has developed a Toolkit on Disability for Africa. The Toolkit is a platform of learning and exchange of experiences ready to be used by Government officials and representatives of organizations for disabled people. The toolkit helps these stakeholders to better understand and implement national legislation and action plans advancing the social inclusion of disabled persons.

Time Frame: January 2015

Funding: XB

Budget: US$ 100,000

Division: DSPD

Focus Countries: Ten African Countries DSD

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For more capacity development projects at UNDESA, please visit: www.un.org/esa/cdo/projects.html