Fact sheets of selected UNIDO projects
A selection of UNIDO field projects within the Organization’s three thematic areas: Poverty Reduction through Productive Activities; Trade Capacity-Building; and Environment and Energy.
Poverty Reduction through Productive Activities
Armenia – Transition to a better life
In support of the Government’s efforts, numerous United Nations organizations, including UNIDO, developed a project in the Kotayk and Gegharkunik regions to create a basis for sustainable development in local communities by using an integrated approach covering poverty reduction, education, health, and local environmental challenges.
Bangladesh – Arsenic-free drinking water
UNIDO, with the support of the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS), has assisted the Government of Bangladesh with an arsenic removal project in areas with the highest levels of arsenic intoxication.
Global – Agribusiness and agro-industrial development
In partnership with other development partners and UN organizations, UNIDO initiated a joint programme (3ADI) in the areas of agribusiness value chains, food security, policies, financing and related trade. The initiative calls for the accelerated development of agribusiness and agro-industries to ensure value addition to agricultural products of developing countries.
Global – Pharmaceuticals
With the financial support of the Government of Germany, UNIDO initiated a project to strengthen local production of essential medicines and to contribute to improved access to affordable medicines.
India – Combining businesses
With the financial support of the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), UNIDO developed a support programme to strengthen four selected clusters and their SME networks that work with handlooms, handicrafts and non-timber forest products.
Indonesia – Supporting reconstruction efforts
With funds from the Government of Japan through the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS), UNIDO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are implementing a project to support the islands’ reconstruction and reconciliation process.
Lao PDR – Opium-free livelihoods
In 2007, UNIDO, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Government started a project to alleviate opium dependence and elevate living standards. The project combined the technical expertise and comparative advantages of both organizations.
Malawi – Improving livelihoods of HIV/AIDS-affected households
UNIDO, in collaboration with the Malawian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, developed the Salima Agricultural Technology (SATECH) project to secure the socio-economic foundation necessary for livelihood recovery in 17 poor rural communities in the Salima District.
Morocco – Women entrepreneurs
UNIDO, in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), devised an entrepreneurship programme to improve the income opportunities of the rural population whilst enhancing the competitiveness of small-scale olive oil producing, textile and fruits and vegetable drying groups managed by women.
Mozambique – Investing in a new generation
In 2007, with the support of UNIDO and funding from the Government of Norway, the Ministry of Education and Culture introduced the Entrepreneurship Curriculum Programme (ECP) in secondary and vocational schools throughout the country.
Pakistan – Towards gender parity: women in creative industries
Expanding employment and creating livelihood opportunities for women has been achieved by the establishment of the Business Growth Center which aims to work towards enhancing ability, mobility, visibility and connectivity of women entrepreneurs.
Uganda – Skills for peace
With the financial support of the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS), UNIDO launched the Skills for Peace and Income (SKIPI) project. The project aimed at facilitating the social and economic re-integration of veterans, former rebels and their families in the post-conflict situation in northern Uganda.
Trade Capacity-Building
Côte d’Ivoire – Safer cocoa and coffee beans for export markets
With funds from the European Union, UNIDO assisted the Ministry of Agriculture of Côte d’Ivoire in adapting an internationally acceptable analysis of coffee and cacao beans.
Ecuador – Revival of the textile/garment industry
Together with the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, UNIDO introduced a cluster approach to improve competitiveness and market access and helped establish business networks among leading enterprises.
Egypt – Trace me back
UNIDO established the Egyptian Traceability Centre for Agro-Industrial exports (ETRACE), funded under an Italian-Egyptian Debt-for-Development Swap programme, to make Egyptian agro-industrial export safer, more competitive and compliant with stringent market standards and regulations.
India – Gears of growth
Since 1999, UNIDO has assisted Indian small and medium-sized enterprises within the automotive component sector to overcome challenges related to low productivity, insufficient and inconsistent quality, and scalability, so that they could become more efficient, reliable and cost-effective suppliers of automotive parts.
Serbia – Accessing international markets
In 2007, UNIDO launched a two-year business partnership and cluster development programme to strengthen the automotive cluster in Serbia, which drew on the Slovenian automobile cluster set-up.
Environment and Energy
Guatemala – National Cleaner Production Centre
The Centre is a non-profit technical institution and is supported by UNIDO, UNEP, as well as some national institutions such as the Del Valle University, the Sugar Manufacturers Association and the Chamber of Industry.
Guinea Current – Turning the tide
UNIDO, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), developed a strategic action programme for the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem.
Gulf of Mexico – Protecting the ecosystem
In partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Governments of Mexico and the United States, UNIDO initiated a regional project to promote sustainable management of the Gulf’s resources with a focus on restoring fisheries and fish stocks and reducing nutrient enrichment to safe ecosystem levels.
India – Climate-friendly refrigerators
With the financial support of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, UNIDO worked very closely with two large Indian refrigeration manufacturers (Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. and Videocon Appliances Ltd.) towards developing new CDM methodologies, with the aim of reducing environmental pollution and improving competitiveness.
Rwanda – Energy access for rural communities
UNIDO, in cooperation with the Rwanda Ministry of Infrastructure, has implemented a project to promote renewable-based energy development for productive uses. The aim of the project is to contribute to poverty alleviation and economic growth by providing access to affordable modern energy in rural areas.
Slovakia – National Cleaner Production Centre
The Centre in Slovakia is a non-profit organization and a business enterprise, enabling the Centre to work effectively in delivering value-adding services to businesses. At the same time, it acts as a public advocate for Cleaner Production and retains the experience from close collaboration and joint efforts.
South Mediterranean region – Greening industries along the Mediterranean Sea
UNIDO is assisting Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia to adopt environmentally sound technology, tackling highly polluted sea water as a result of land-based activities.
sub-Saharan Africa – Ecotourism
Together with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), UNIDO aims to reduce the degradation of coastal and marine environments and to enhance sustainability. The project is being implemented in Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Viet Nam – National Cleaner Production Centre
With funds from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the National Cleaner Production Centre of Viet Nam (VNCPC) was established in 1998 and is part of the Hanoi University of Technology. By the end of 2009, the VNCPC had 16 employees and was active in the following industry sectors: pulp and paper, textile, food processing, seafood processing, metal finishing, building materials, chemicals and handicraft.