Kyrgyzstan

Support countries in developing a new round of MDG-based national development strategies by offering a flexible range of diagnostic tools, pro-poor policy options and capacity development methodologies.

Situation analysis:

The MDG Support to national MDG-based Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS) has been designed as a concrete mechanism for UNDP to assist countries in accelerating progress towards attaining the MDGs. Efforts to realign national development strategies with MDGs in the RBEC region have highlighted considerable needs for increasing the rates of economic growth, making growth more equitable and widening pro-poor policy options in order to reach MDG targets. The MDG-related needs are particularly acute in the poorer CIS countries (Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia.)

Proposed programme:

The purpose of this regional project is to support countries in the Europe and CIS region in developing a new round of MDG-based national development strategies by offering a flexible range of diagnostic tools, pro-poor policy options and capacity development methodologies. MDG Support seeks to promote the integration of UNDP programming and policy advising around the MDG theme by linking the MDGs to PRS(P) processes; and to facilitate UNDP’s cooperation with the World Bank, IMF, and other donors and use this initiate as a leverage for resource mobilisation.

Anticipated results:

Responding to specific country needs, the project intends to provide advisory support to UNDP Country Offices in MDG-based diagnostic and planning, including poverty monitoring and needs assessment, developing MDG-oriented policy options, facilitating participatory dialogue, drafting of specific PRS policy chapters, and developing governance capacity. BRC advisors will facilitate this process by going on advisory missions and supporting COs in a dialogue with Government. A regional conference in Tajikistan and further sub-regional workshops are proposed to raise the profile of the MDG Support initiative, advocate for MDG-based PRSs efforts, and disseminate existing experience.

Current status:

The project started in February 2007. A regional MDG / PRSP conference was held in Tajikistan in March 2007. A seed funding mechanism was made available for UNDP Country Offices to finance activities and projects on aligning MDGs with national development strategies, and on the work in the areas of social inclusion (within the EU accession/integration context), decentralisation and local development, trade and development, and strategic environmental assessments. Some examples of activities financed in the region are: "Strengthening Deputy Prime Minister Office capacities to implement pro-poor evidence-based policies" (Serbia), "Support to Development Aid Coordination Platform in tracking donor contributions for the implementation of the national PRSP" (Uzbekistan), "Support to the Kazyna National Development Fund in the design of an education and health development programme" (Kazakhstan) and "Support development of a system of monitoring indicators for the National Development Strategy" (Croatia).