The modern world is no longer ruled by central governments alone. Now, more than ever before, it is imperative that organisations like the United Nations Development Program reach out more deeply and widely to (local) civil society, private sector and local level government. To advance progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), all of these actors should be strengthened.

With its experience in working with (local) civil society, the private sector and local level government, SNV is a ‘natural‘ partner for UNDP. Since 2005 both organisations work closely in a strategic partnership. Present activities support countries to accelerate progress towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals, through the design and implementation of national and local development strategies that are based on these goals. The activities focus on 17 countries, in Africa, Asia, the Balkans and Latin America.

In West Africa the partnership 'resulted' for instance in a project in Niger, Benin and Senegal to build resource mobilisation mechanisms leading to increased financing at local level. Through the sharing of country plans by UNDP and SNV offices in Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia, joint activities have been identified and undertaken.

UNDP and SNV also collaborated on a number of training and capacity development programs, including: 

• Capacity development innovations, such as the introduction of a virtual expertise centre on the subject of leadership and the publication of a professional quarterly magazine with ECDPM on capacity development . 
• Learning-related initiatives, such as the UNDP Virtual Development Academy, the SNV Campus, orientation programmes for new employees, and learning management systems.

“We have an immense complementarity of efforts through our work at different levels. SNV advisors typically work in districts and closer to the grass roots levels, whereas UNDP plays a pivotal role at the central level and in terms of donor coordination. SNV experts can therefore be effective change agents for cutting-edge initiatives in the areas of common interest.” Mark Malloch Brown, former Administrator of UNDP

Interested? Would you like further information? Contact us at: partnerships@snvworld.org