UNDP DRC programme support 2021-2025

1. Decentralization Participatory Mechanisms: Mechanisms were established to promote citizen engagement, particularly among youth, by integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into local public policies. Governance Enhancements: Efforts focused on developing and implementing provincial development plans while strengthening Decentralized Territorial Entities (ETDs) for better local financial management. Monitoring Capacity Development: The development of the Change Monitoring System (CMS) platform enhanced project and provincial development plan monitoring capabilities, in collaboration with the National Institute of Statistics (INS) and Planning Divisions. 2. Reform of justice Notable enhancements in the penitentiary system continue with the digitalization of prison services, which improves the traceability of inmates. With funding from Sweden, the Congolese state, through the Superior Council of the Judiciary, adopted a judicial digitization approach, formalized by decision No. 105/J/D7/SPCSM/PM/2024 on August 24, 2024. This marks a significant step toward modernizing the judicial system in the DRC. 2.1 Example of Nyiaragongo Peace Court The construction of the Nyiragongo Peace Court, with Sweden's support, is part of the United Nations Joint Programme supporting justice reform from 2021 to 2024. The construction of this court has provided an improved work environment for judicial actors, including judges and court staff. It promotes effective functioning of local justice systems in Nyiragongo and it helps to foster social cohesion by supporting more equitable justice delivery to all community members. The construction of the court has enhanced state authority and access to justice, creating a conducive environment for poverty reduction and sustainable human development. Additionally, the project has engaged local and national expertise, contributing to local entrepreneurship and reducing youth unemployment. A national construction company was awarded the contract through a transparent competitive process led by the UNDP, hiring approximately 80 local youth, including 20 women. All construction materials were sourced locally in Goma. The beneficiaries include around 20 judicial actors (judges, clerks, and bailiffs) at the Nyiragongo Peace Court, as well as the local population, which is estimated to exceed 230,000 people, including internally displaced individuals. 3. Support for ACTIF II As a result of Sweden's support to the Projet ACTIF II (Action, Changement, Transformation par Inclusion Financière) between 2021 up until July 2024, 24 partner financial institutions so far have received technical assistance, improving governance and reaching 782,457 new clients, 49.57% of whom are women. Some examples of results: i- The project has further facilitated the creation of two digital solutions, that enable remote agency connectivity, allowing clients to save and request loans without travel related costs: 1) Bagira Digital for rural areas, benefiting over 1,200 households. 2) MPSA for Youth, reaching at least 150,000 low-income beneficiaries, with 55% being women and 12% youth. ii- A new Financial product was introduced: the "CEE (Crédit Épargne avec Éducation Plus)" product, tailored for poor women and youth in rural areas, serves over 30,000 clients with a 0% risk portfolio. This product is offered by several cooperatives and microfinance institutions, supporting income-generating activities. iii- The funding established new Management and Information Systems (SIG) in 13 financial institutions across the DRC. These systems automate data processing, improving decision-making efficiency. iv- Three new agencies were opened in rural and agricultural areas, addressing environmental concerns and serving clients in underserved regions. v- Over 12,000 individuals, including students and homemakers, received financial education, raising awareness about savings and credit use. vi- ACTIF II also aligned with agricultural recovery projects funded by Switzerland, enhancing collaboration with financial partners. vii- Support for Vulnerable Groups: Over 2,000 groups of vulnerable individuals (women, youth, persons with disabilities) totaling 14,772 members were linked to microfinance institutions for empowerment. viii- Assistance for Displaced Persons: In collaboration with UNHCR, over 150,000 displaced persons and refugees were identified for integration into microfinance initiatives aimed at their empowerment. 4. Other results under stabilisation Social Cohesion Initiatives: The integrative "Tunaweza" project played a crucial role in rebuilding trust and strengthening community ties along the Baraka-Bibokoboko axis.

The objectives of this intervention are to support the UNDP country programme which has the following priorities (a) governance for sustainable development; (b) economic transformation and sustainable management of natural resources; and (c) support to stabilization and strengthening of the resilience of affected populations. At the end of the intervention it is expected that UNDP has contributed to: Accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development Advancing poverty eradication in all its forms and dimensions Strengthening resilience to shocks and crises The specific objectives of the four projects UNDP is seeking funding for are the following (translated from French): Decentralisation The overall objective of this support is twofold. On the one hand, it is to accelerate the process of territorial decentralisation in all its dimensions (political, administrative, and fiscal) with a view to strengthen local governance, boosting grassroots economic development, and improving the living conditions of the population. On the other hand, it is a question of supporting the central government, the provinces and the decentralised territorial entities (ETDs) to build their own capacities for planning, programming, budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation of development based on the SDGs, with a view to accelerating the country's socio-economic development. The programme will also strengthen national, provincial, and local capacities for the management, governance and coordination of public policies and development assistance, as well as provide the provinces and ETDs with critical skills to support the implementation of provincial and local development plans. Justice Reform The programme contributes to reforming the rule of law in the DRC through implementation of the defined justice reform and better management and efficiency of the justice system in a way that respects human rights and meets the needs of the population with regard to justice and legal protection. This is  particularly important for vulnerable and at-risk populations, with a view to stabilising and improving social cohesion through four results: Result 1: Implementation of the National Justice Reform Policy is strengthened and coordinated Result 2: The accountability of actors in the criminal justice system is improved, allowing institutions to function in accordance with the principles of the rule of law Result 3: The provision of quality justice services is improved by strengthening the institutions of the criminal justice system in the prosecution of offences, with a focus on crimes under international law and sexual violence committed in times of conflict Result 4: Demand for justice is improved for populations in intervention areas, promoting peaceful conflict resolution. Results 1 and 2 will be implemented at the central level and Results 3 and 4 at the level of the target provinces.   Stabilisation The rationale for the UN joint stabilisation support programme is based on four main objectives: (i)  Sustaining the ISSSS strategy and its implementation through a progressive transfer of the center of gravity of the ISSSS strategy from MONUSCO to the UNCT (ii) Supporting the roll-out of the ISSSS in different geographies where MONUSCO intervenes or intends to draw down to contribute to the transition efforts and to the nexus principles (Kasai, Kasai Central, Tanganyika in addition to the three Eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri); (iii) Bridging effectively results achieved in stabilization with longer term interventions (iv) Strengthening the DRC authorities' capacity to manage, coordinate and lead stabilisation initiatives Based on the broad goals outlined above, and in concrete terms, the objective of the programme can be formulated as follows: "Populations in conflict and post-conflict areas benefit from stabilization and peace through sustainable government-led initiatives."   Fight against corruption The overall objective the programme is to contribute to strengthening of the rule of law through a significant and sustainable reduction of corruption. Three specific objectives, which contribute in a complementary manner to the achievement of the overall objective, have been defined in order to structure the assistance interventions: The population is sensitised to the consequences of corruption and trained to move from tolerance to denunciation of acts of corruption. State institutions and civil society organisations are strengthened in their mission of auditing and controlling the management of public services in order to guarantee good governance. The normative and institutional frameworks for the fight against corruption are strengthened to make them more effective in the fight against impunity for acts of corruption.