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United Nations Democracy Fund
The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) is a United Nations trust fund created by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2005 as a means to support democratization efforts around the world. It was welcomed by the General Assembly in the Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit (A/RES/60/1, paragraphs 136–137).
UNDEF supports projects in favor of promoting civil society, human rights, and inclusive democratic processes. The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations both in the transition and consolidation phases of democratization. UNDEF subsists entirely on voluntary contributions from governments.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that UNDEF's focus "recognizes a fundamental truth about democracy everywhere -- that it is ultimately the product of a strong, active and vocal civil society. It is such a civil society that fosters responsible citizenship and makes democratic forms of government work."
In 10 rounds of funding so far, UNDEF has supported over 600 projects in more than 100 countries.
UNDEF projects are two years long and fall under one or more of seven main areas;
UNDEF grants range from US$100,000 to US$300,000. Project proposals are subject to a highly rigorous and competitive selection process, as UNDEF receives an average of about 2,000-3,000 proposals a year and only some 50-60 are selected.
UNDEF subsists entirely on voluntary contributions from governments. in 2010, it surpassed US$110 million in cumulative contributions from 39 countries, including a wide range of non-traditional donor countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In 2015, it reached almost $170 million in contributions and counted more than 40 countries as donors. Contributions to UNDEF qualify as Official Development Assistance, and several donors choose to make multi-year commitments. The United States remained the largest donor until 2026 when US President Donald Trump announced end of US support.
As a Secretary-General's Trust Fund located within the United Nations Secretariat, UNDEF falls under the direct authority of the UN Secretary-General. The secretary-general is guided by the UNDEF Advisory Board, which consists of the seven biggest UNDEF donor countries—as of 2010, the United States, India, Japan, Qatar, Germany, Australia and Spain; six States from different regions, chosen for their proven commitment to democracy; two representatives of civil society organizations; and three individuals, including the chair of the board. Since 2007, the chair has been Professor Michael Doyle of Columbia University, a former UN assistant secretary-general for policy planning under secretary-General Kofi Annan. All members serve for a two-year term.
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United Nations Democracy Fund
The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) is a United Nations trust fund created by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2005 as a means to support democratization efforts around the world. It was welcomed by the General Assembly in the Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit (A/RES/60/1, paragraphs 136–137).
UNDEF supports projects in favor of promoting civil society, human rights, and inclusive democratic processes. The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations both in the transition and consolidation phases of democratization. UNDEF subsists entirely on voluntary contributions from governments.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that UNDEF's focus "recognizes a fundamental truth about democracy everywhere -- that it is ultimately the product of a strong, active and vocal civil society. It is such a civil society that fosters responsible citizenship and makes democratic forms of government work."
In 10 rounds of funding so far, UNDEF has supported over 600 projects in more than 100 countries.
UNDEF projects are two years long and fall under one or more of seven main areas;
UNDEF grants range from US$100,000 to US$300,000. Project proposals are subject to a highly rigorous and competitive selection process, as UNDEF receives an average of about 2,000-3,000 proposals a year and only some 50-60 are selected.
UNDEF subsists entirely on voluntary contributions from governments. in 2010, it surpassed US$110 million in cumulative contributions from 39 countries, including a wide range of non-traditional donor countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In 2015, it reached almost $170 million in contributions and counted more than 40 countries as donors. Contributions to UNDEF qualify as Official Development Assistance, and several donors choose to make multi-year commitments. The United States remained the largest donor until 2026 when US President Donald Trump announced end of US support.
As a Secretary-General's Trust Fund located within the United Nations Secretariat, UNDEF falls under the direct authority of the UN Secretary-General. The secretary-general is guided by the UNDEF Advisory Board, which consists of the seven biggest UNDEF donor countries—as of 2010, the United States, India, Japan, Qatar, Germany, Australia and Spain; six States from different regions, chosen for their proven commitment to democracy; two representatives of civil society organizations; and three individuals, including the chair of the board. Since 2007, the chair has been Professor Michael Doyle of Columbia University, a former UN assistant secretary-general for policy planning under secretary-General Kofi Annan. All members serve for a two-year term.