Important Facts of the News
- The UNDP, DPPA and the European Union renewed their partnership under the Joint UNDP–DPPA Programme.
- The agreement supports the Programme’s current phase for 2024–2028.
- The EU will fund national prevention strategies, inclusive peace infrastructures, gender equality, and youth participation.
- Peace and Development Advisors (PDAs) have been deployed in more than 70 countries since 2004.
- The new support will reinforce UN system-wide capacities for conflict-sensitive programming and analysis.
- The contribution also covers peer learning, exchanges, innovation and PDA deployments in fragile contexts.
A renewed partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), and the European Union will deepen national capacities to prevent conflict and support long-term peace efforts. The new agreement builds on the Joint UNDP–DPPA Programme that has guided nationally led conflict prevention since 2004.
Focus on Locally Driven Peace Efforts
The European Union’s latest contribution supports the Programme’s ongoing 2024 to 2028 phase. The funding will enable countries to strengthen their own approaches for managing tensions and improving dialogue. This includes improving national peace infrastructures, expanding women’s participation in peacebuilding, and creating stronger pathways for youth engagement.
Shoko Noda, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Crisis Bureau, highlighted the value of prioritizing prevention and working collaboratively at the national level. The partnership focuses on helping societies address tensions before they escalate, reinforcing community-level dialogue and long-term trust-building.
Role of Peace and Development Advisors
Since its launch, the Joint Programme has placed Peace and Development Advisors in more than 70 countries. These advisors work closely with governments and civil society to address underlying tensions, promote inclusive governance and support dialogue-based solutions. Their role continues to be central in linking peace and development priorities on the ground.
Peter M. Wagner, Head of the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, noted the importance of multilateral collaboration. The renewed support reflects the EU’s commitment to strengthening national institutions that foster stability and integrate peace, development, humanitarian and security priorities.
Support for Knowledge and Innovation
The contribution also encourages shared learning and innovation. It will fund platforms for peer exchanges among countries and advisors, helping expand best practices in conflict prevention. In settings undergoing mission transitions or facing fragility, the programme aims to ensure continuity of support and sustained national leadership in peacebuilding efforts.
Background
The Joint UNDP-DPPA Programme is one of the United Nations’ key mechanisms to operationalize conflict prevention. It directly contributes to the UN Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace and aligns with broader development and peace strategies across the UN system. The programme is funded entirely through voluntary contributions, including those from the European Union.