UNCDF in Nicaragua




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The Challenge

Despite its recent economic growth, Nicaragua remains the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere, with a 2012 Human Development Index which gives the country a rank of 129 out of 187 countries. GDP per capita rose from US$793 in 2001 to US$1,082 in 2009, but high income inequality prevails. The country’s geographical location also makes it vulnerable to natural disasters such as droughts, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

How We Are Helping?

UNCDF is helping Nicaragua to meet its development challenges through the programme Gobernabilidad Económica del Sector Agua Potable y Saneamiento en las Regiones Autónomas de Atlántico Norte y Sur (RAAN y RAAS). This joint UN programme seeks to enhance the management capacity of regional, municipal and communal governments in water and sanitation, and to strengthen the institutional framework in two of the most economically disadvantaged areas of the country.

Another joint programme UNCDF is contributing, De la Retórica a la Realidad: Hacia la Equidad de Género y Empoderamiento de las Mujeres a través de la Participación y Prácticas de Género en los Presupuestos Públicos, aims to make public planning and budgeting more gender-responsive by encouraging greater participation by women through support to small economic and social development projects.

In Detail

Project

Gobernabilidad Económica del Sector Agua Potable y Saneamiento en las Regiones Autónomas de Atlántico Norte y Sur (RAAN y RAAS)
Goal To develop management capacity in water and sanitation at the municipal level while strengthening the institutional framework in two economically disadvantaged regions.
How
  • Supporting better municipal planning in water and sanitation; 
  • Strengthening public administration through investments in water and sanitation.
Period 2009-2011
Partners UNCDF, ILO, PAHO, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNODC.
Total project cost and UNCDF contribution USD 7,693,737
USD 519,699
Project

De la Retórica a la Realidad: Hacia la Equidad de Género y Empoderamiento de las Mujeres a través de la Participación y Prácticas de Género en los Presupuestos Públicos
Goal To make public planning and budgeting more gender-responsive.
How
  • Incorporating gender-responsive practices in the plans and budgets of 15 municipalities; 
  • Promoting equity through an Investment Fund for Gender Equality.
Period 2009-2011
Partners UNCDF, FAO, ILO, PAHO, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN WOMEN, WFP.
Total project cost and UNCDF contribution USD 8,000,000
USD 629,470