What we do

To support a peaceful transition to a democratic polity, UNDP will contribute to an enabling framework, deepening of critical capacities, strengthening of norms and practices and greater voice and empowerment of those left behind, especially women.

1. UNDP will help entrench democratic governance and protection of human rights at both federal and regional levels, focusing on core institutions. This effort will target effective oversight and accountability; increased transparency; continued policy, legal and regulatory reform that is gender responsive; follow-through on electoral support; implementation of the Civic Engagement Policy; and strengthening of federal-regional linkages. Supporting institutional reform and renewal will be critical to delivering on these transformational objectives. In addition, UNDP will target research, skills development and outreach initiatives to increase the influence of women and youth on public policies and legal frameworks.

2.  UNDP will pursue a step change in the rule of law and access to justice, based on a sector-wide approach that triggers a comprehensive change process delivering major advances within four to five years, with clear benefits accruing to women. To this end, UNDP will build upon the recommendations of a proposed justice sector assessment to be conducted jointly by Government and United Nations agencies. UNDP will emphasize research, strengthening of core systems and civic education and  outreach. It will partner with civil society organizations (CSOs) and universities to provide legal aid services for underserved groups (such as women) and areas of the country. 

3. UNDP will improve the transparency, accountability and integrity of public institutions to support the fight against corruption. It will develop a biennial corruption perception survey to identify policy priorities that can be reflected in the national anti-corruption strategy and will help set up the legislative and policy framework for a national whistle-blower system. In parallel, UNDP will enable review and modernization of the Civil Service Code of Conduct with integrity as a core principle; support strengthening of systems and mechanisms for transparency and asset declaration; and promote citizen monitoring. 

4. UNDP will respond to changing federal-regional dynamics through a local governance programme designed to strengthen presence, capacity, civic engagement and accountability of local institutions. UNDP will help develop the database for development planning at local level, working closely with sister agencies/entities. It will also strengthen and, where needed, develop participatory planning, budgeting, management and monitoring standards and processes, building in a strong element of public input and engagement, especially of women and youth, ensuring that capacities built are sustainable.

UNDP will test South-South partnerships to offer timebound ‘surge’ expertise in priority areas. Underpinning the above, analysis will look at expanding fiscal space at regional level, extending ongoing work on the estimation of regional GDP.

5. UNDP will integrate social cohesion and peacebuilding in its work on democratic governance, to mitigate risks and where needed respond effectively to conflict and sustain peace, addressing the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. UNDP will provide policy advice and technical support to articulate a gender-responsive national peacebuilding strategy, based on a comprehensive and participatory conflict analysis, and help design and set-up a national peace architecture bringing together state and non-state institutions at federal and regional levels. A key consideration will be the roll-out of a national youth service. Another will be to collaborate with CSOs to enable groups such as ethnic minorities, women and youth to become agents of change and to build the capacities of community leaders to resolve disputes peacefully, promote dialogue and build trust.  

6. Given the dynamic context in Ethiopia, UNDP will retain the flexibility to respond to emerging needs.

** Read more in the Country Programme Document for Ethiopia.