'Feedback is the dynamic process of presenting and disseminating information to improve performance. Feedback mechanisms are increasingly being recognized as key elements of learning before, during, and after. Assessments by executing agencies of the effectiveness of assistance in capacity development are prominent among these.'

'The objective of the Sindh Education Sector Reform Project for Pakistan is to increase school participation, reduce gender and rural/urban disparities in schooling outcomes, increase retention and transition, and improve quality. The key potential environmental and safety issues related to the program include: (i) liquid and solid wastes generated during school construction and operation; (ii) lack of adequate measures, both at the design and construction stages, to address the schools´ vulner more...

'As part of its strategy to increase rural incomes, USAID/Kenya has supported two projects to develop tree fruit value chains—the Kenya Business Development Services (KBDS) project implemented by the Emerging Markets Group and the Kenya Horticulture Development Project (KHDP) implemented by Fintrac. This report presents the findings from a study of the impacts of these projects on smallholder farmers who grow avocados and passion fruit in Central and Rift Valley provinces in Kenya. The study i more...

'The brochure takes a glimpse on how UNDP Bangladesh Country office helps the people and Government of Bangladesh to develop their capacity to meet development challenges through initiatives that link advocacy, policy advice and projects.'

'El Informe Nacional de Desarrollo Humano 2008 (INDH 2008) analiza las relaciones entre el proceso de creación de capacidades, el empoderamiento, el poder y el desarrollo humano a nivel provincial en República Dominicana. En este sentido, el INDH 2008 conjuga la dimensión del poder y la dimensión local del desarrollo humano, explorando la creación y distribución de capacidades en el territorio, la magnitud y forma en que éstas se convierten en empoderamiento en las provincias, la viabilid more...

If human development is the what of the UNDP mandate, capacity development is the how. UNDP defines capacity development as the process through which individuals, organizations and societies obtain, strengthen and maintain the capabilities to set and achieve their own development objectives. Working alongside governments, civil society and other partners in 166 countries, UNDP strives to promote human development by helping people to access the knowledge, experience and resources they need to bu more...

Improving lives through the alleviation of poverty is central to the UNDP approach to development. Some 1.2 billion people around the world live on less than a dollar a day, while almost 850 million go hungry every night. Poverty is not just about money: lack of access to essential resources goes beyond financial hardship to affect people’s health, education, security and opportunities for political participation. Solutions, then, need to address many dimensions while remaining targeted and me more...

Democratic governance is essential to inclusive, equitable human development. Democratic governance gives people the potential to drive change and exercise choice so as to improve their own lives. Reaching the MDGs by 2015 requires political will at the national as well as international level, which can be mobilized only if the poor have a stronger voice and influence on decisions. A democratic polity needs institutions that work, including a competent civil service focused on serving its citize more...

More than 40 countries have been scarred by violent conflict since 2000. According to the latest available figures from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), some 32.9 million refugees, internally displaced persons and others are now directly impacted. More than 1.5 million people have been killed by natural disasters over the past two decades, and the annual economic losses associated with these disasters are rising.

While many developing countries have made significant progress in more...

The world’s poor are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and lack of access to clean, affordable energy services. Climate change, loss of biodiversity and depletion of natural resources are both national and global issues requiring cooperation among all countries. UNDP works to strengthen national capacity to manage the environment in a sustainable manner while ensuring adequate protection for the poor, by identifying and sharing best practices, providing policy advice and more...