UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes.
UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said [2] that UNDEF's focus “recognizes a fundamental truth about democracy everywhere -- that it is ultimately the product of a strong, active and vocal civil society.
It is such a civil society that fosters responsible citizenship and makes democratic forms of government work.” In 10 rounds of funding so far, UNDEF has supported over 600 projects in more than 100 countries.
Within the UN Secretariat, the UNDEF Programme Consultative Group serves as UN inter-agency mechanism that provides expert advice, including on recommendations for project selection.
To ensure low overheads, the UNDEF office is managed by a small team [6] of four professionals, led (since 2007) by Roland Rich of Australia, a former diplomat and director of the Centre for Democratic Institutions at Australian National University.