UNDEF Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) [Français]
-
What are UNDEF's objectives?
The primary purpose of the Fund is to promote democracy throughout
the world by providing assistance to projects that consolidate and
strengthen democratic institutions and facilitate democratic governance.
The Fund complements and builds upon current UN efforts, programmes
and projects and ensures an integrated, coherent, and demand-driven
approach. Furthermore, the UN’s efforts to promote democracy
are inseparable from its broader work for security, development and
human rights.
- Does
UNDEF endorse one specific model of democracy?
No, the Fund does not support a single model of democracy. As echoed
in the World Summit's Outcome Document (2005), as democracy is one of
the “universal and indivisible core values and principles of the
United Nations”, it is not “owned” by any a single
country or region, not does it follow one particular model.
- Why was
UNDEF established?
Democracy and democratization have long been part of the UN's overall
agenda, as reflected in many UN documents including the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights (1948), the Agenda for Democracy (1996) and the Millennium
Declaration (2000) which put emphasis on popular participation in governance.
Specific entities of the UN System have been explicitly addressing
these issues for some time, notably the UN Department of Political
Affairs, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and
UN Development Programme.
In the wake of the UN reform, the wish to re-emphasize the importance
of this issue and further develop efforts in this regard was materialized
in the Secretary-General proposals to the 2005 World Summit. One of
these proposals was the creation of the Democracy Fund at the United
Nations, which was welcomed by Member States.
- How does
UNDEF work with other UN entities?
The Fund attempts to complement existing activities, and respond to
requests that go beyond the reach of existing mechanisms. It works closely
with other UN bodies to ensure coordination.
In order to do so, one of the key actors of the UNDEF’s governance
structure is the Programme Consultative Group (PCG). The PCG is composed
of representatives from
the UN Department of Political Affairs, the UN Department of Peacekeeping
Operations, the UN Development Fund for Women, the UN Development
Programme, the UN development Group, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime
and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights giving
substantive and scientific advice to the UNDEF Office and the Advisory
Board on project proposals and funding criteria.
- What
are the sources of UNDEF's funding?
UNDEF is a voluntary fund, established as a Trust Fund by the Secretary-General under the UN Financial Rules and Regulations. For an updated version of the current funding, please refer to the Financial Contributors section of the UNDEF website.
- Who
can submit project proposals to UNDEF?
A wide range of democracy and governance actors can submit a project
to the UNDEF: National and International Non Governmental Organisations
and Civil Society Organisations, National, regional and local governments
and public institutions, Independent and Constitutional Bodies, UN Departments,
Agencies, Funds and Programmes, Global and regional inter-governmental
bodies, organizations and associations
More detailed information on funding priorities and on how to submit
project proposals is available in the Project Proposal Guidelines.
- Is UNDEF's funding subject to conditionality?
No, UNDEF will regularly call for proposals and these will be selected and
decided on their merits. The Project Proposal Guidelines, however, specify
certain eligibility criteria for funding and underline specific considerations
also taken into account while selecting the received project proposals.
UNDEF aims at supporting action-oriented projects that promote democracy
and whose outputs would strengthen, for instance, the relations between
Civil Society and Governmental Bodies, the inclusion and participation
of marginalized segments of society and vulnerable groups, or foster
South-South cooperation.
On the contrary, UNDEF gives low-priority to activities where a substantial
part of the budget covers institutional recurrent costs and/or personnel
costs, official/UN travel and/or conference services, or research activities.
For more detailed information, please refer to the Project Proposal Guidelines available in the “Programming Documents” section
of this website.
- Could
UNDEF funding be used as a tool for political interference?
The purpose of the Fund is to build capacities for democratic governance,
especially at the country level. This can only be done effectively in
a supportive institutional environment. Activities funded by the UNDEF
will not be imposed on a country. The approach will be one of cooperation
and support.
- Who
decides what projects will be funded?
Final decisions on funding are taken by the Secretary-General on the
basis of recommendations from the Advisory Board. The Board has 17 members,
composed of Member States, representatives appointed by the Secretary
General including representatives from civil society and the Executive
Director of the UN Office for Partnerships.
- How
will projects be evaluated?
Agreed project documents will require implementing partners to provide
regular reports. Monitoring will be conducted by the executing agent
or another party appointed by UNDEF. Evaluation modalities and implementation
arrangements, as well as audit exercise will be decided directly by
UNDEF. The Fund also submits reports to the ACABQ and the Fifth Committee
of the General Assembly as required.
- What
are the organizational arrangements for UNDEF?
- Where
is UNDEF located?
UNDEF is based in UN Headquarters, New York, within the UN Office for
Partnerships which provides management oversight to the Fund.
updated November 2007
|
