Context
Successful coordination of aid funds remains a major challenge in many partner countries of development cooperation. In the year 1997 the United Nations have therefore founded the United Nations Development Group (UNDG). In cooperation with the governments in beneficiary countries of international development aid budgets it aims to ensure the harmonization of UN contributions and thereby enhance better cooperation of multilateral and bilateral development cooperation. In countries with large and complex development programmes however the responsible UN Resident Coordinator’s Offices (RCO) need support in order to be able to fulfill their coordination role in an efficient way.
The United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) which is based in Bonn gives support to UN programmes and organisations through the provision of volunteers. In the recent years UNV has gained first experience in sending volunteers to RCOs. These volunteers have assisted in the coordination of selected tasks relating to UN development policies. Germany is the largest bilateral donor for UNV and holds one of the largest shares in the funding of UN volunteer assignments. The German funds have been used for the placement of volunteers in RCOs only occasionally so far.
Objectives
The linking of bilateral and multilateral development cooperation is strengthened.
Approach
The project provides financial and organizational support to UNV for the recruitment of volunteers. It primarily consists of a financial contribution to UNV and accompanying process consulting. UN volunteers funded by the project will serve in UN Resident Coordinator’s offices of countries mutually agreed upon. GIZ supports the volunteers by giving preliminary information and professional back-up, networking them with each other and with the partners.