Globally, UNDP advocates for nationally-owned solutions to reduce poverty and promote human development. We sponsor innovative pilot projects, connect countries to global good practices and resources, promote the role of women in development, and bring governments, civil society and outside funders together to coordinate their efforts. In Tajikistan, UNDP contributes to poverty reduction both by working on the central policy level and by supporting community development. On the policy level, UNDP and its sister UN agencies have been active in supporting the government of Tajikistan to align its development planning with the Millennium Development Goals. On the grass-root level, UNDP works through its Communities Programme to support around 100 community based organizations (JRCs) all over the country. Through the JRCs, the rural population is gaining improved access to resources such as microfinance, business advice and new agricultural techniques. Moreover, they channel resources to small-scale infrastructure with a strong poverty reduction effect.

Information about Communities Programme (CP)

Communities Programme (CP) is a multi-year initiative that builds on the previous achievements of UNDP from 1996 and supports operationalisations of MDGs and the implementation of Tajikistan’s PRS. CP operates at the local level through its five area offices in Sughd, Khatlon, and the Rasht and Zerafshan Valleys.

New phase of CP applies a more programmatic approach and sharpens focus on sustainability. At the local level it aims at strengthening local governance system by adopting a two-fold strategy:

1. to build capacities of sub-national governments to plan, budget and monitor development on their territories in a participatory and inclusive way and in line with PRS targets, as well to secure investments and provide public services in such areas as rural economic development, natural resources management, health and disaster risk management, and
2. enhance capacities of private sector and civil society to develop, participate in decision-making, exercise influence and hold governments accountable.

Moreover, the Program intents to build strong linkages between its local level interventions and policy making at the national level by supporting national institutions in elaboration and setting into practice key policies, reforms, framework regulations in the areas of CP intervention. The new phase of the programme will also seek and employ synergies with other UN/UNDP programmes and projects.

Ongoing Projects

1. Providing market-demanded professional skills
2. Rural Growth Programme in Sughd region of Tajikistan (RGP)
3. Goal Wash/Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) Water Rights and Responsibilities Awareness Campaign
4. Poverty and Environment Initiative (PEI)
5. Wider Europe: Aid for Trade for Central Asia, South Caucasus and Western CIS / Component II: Aid for Trade in Central Asia: Support to Economic Development along Trade Corridors
6. Tajik-Afghan Poverty Reduction Initiative (TAPRI)
7. Support to LED initiatives in Khatlon