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UNDP is the United Nations’ global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in 166 countries, working with people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. The UNDP focus is on helping countries build and share solutions to the challenges of democratic governance, poverty reduction, crisis prevention and recovery, environment and energy and HIV/AIDS. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women. |
In 2009, the IKEA Foundation partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to empower 50,000 women in 500 villages of Uttar Pradesh, India to become leaders, role models, entrepreneurs and agents of change.
This carries forward work initiated under a Child Rights Programme (2000-2007) implemented by UNICEF in partnership with IKEA. During this project it became apparent that women are the most important catalysts for change for their children. The learning and experience from this project resulted in the UNDP programme focusing on women empowerment.
In 2012, the IKEA Foundation pledged €30 million so UNDP could expand their successful Swaayam programme to empower 2.2 million women in rural India by 2015. Watch a video about the partnership.
