International Development Grant

Support to the United Nations Democracy Fund

Project Number: CA-3-D004239001

Status: Closed

Country/Region: Unknown

Regional Focus:

Africa 25%
America 25%
Asia 25%
Europe 25%

Maximum Contribution: $1,000,000.00

Start Date: February 24, 2017

End Date: March 31, 2019

Duration: 2.1 years

Project Description

This project aims to support and strengthen the United Nations Democracy Fund’s (UNDEF) capacity to support action-oriented projects to bring about measurable and tangible improvements in democracy and human rights on the ground. The UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society promote human rights and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations - both in the transition and consolidation phases of democratization. UNDEF plays a unique role in complementing the UN's other more traditional work - the work with Governments - to strengthen democratic governance around the world. Project activities include: (1) helping foster a culture of democracy in select UNDEF states for the purpose of bolstering social cohesion democratic values and principles and increasing security; (2) empowering women and promoting women’s rights by explicitly addressing gender discrimination which contributes to exclusion and marginalization; (3) promoting political pluralism in UNDEF states by supporting impartial and independent actors that stand for inclusiveness pluralism and respect for diversity; and (4) supporting an active strong and vibrant role for non-governmental organizations and reform groups human rights groups women’s groups and youth groups.

Expected Results

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) enhanced capacity of the UNDEF to receive civil society proposals for projects to foster good governance democratic institutions and the protection of human rights; (2) improved management of projects through monitoring of progress and achievements in a timely and effective manner; and (3) effective delivery of high quality projects.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved as of the end of the project (March 2019) include: (1) 110 projects that foster good governance democratic institutions and the protection of human rights were implemented; and (2) increased the participation of civil society organizations and populations in a wide range of democratic processes both at the national and the local governance levels. For example a project entitled “Promoting Democracy through the Establishment of a Permanent Participatory Inclusive and Collaborative Citizen Dialogue” implemented by Search for Common Ground aims to support democratic dialogue in the Central African Republic by promoting constructive and collaborative interactions between civil society organizations the government and citizens; and (3) improved management of projects through monitoring of progress and achievements in a timely and effective manner by observing and verifying specific outputs and objectives. For example a project funded will get its next tranche of funding only after the successful monitoring of the outputs and if the project has achieved its objectives.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
United Nations Democracy Fund

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
YFMInternaAssistPartnershp&Programing Br

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Democratic participation and civil society 100%

Aid Type: Contributions to specific-purpose programmes and funds managed by implementing partners

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Foreign Affairs and Trade Gs&Cs

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2017-04-01 to 2018-03-31 $1,000,000 CAD
Reference ID: 2016200912