Bhutan UN Country Fund 

Objectives

Fund scope

The United Nations in Bhutan adopted the “Delivering as One” approach in 2008 in order to contribute more effectively to national development priorities, as laid out in the Five Year Plans of the Royal Government of Bhutan. Using the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) the Delivering as One method allows for a greater collective response. 

UN support is detailed in the UNDAF Bhutan One Programme 2014-2018 document, which combined a strategic overview, action plan, and common budgetary framework—all of which ensured coordinated and effective support for national development goals, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and 2030 Agenda. Collaborative approaches relied on partner insight and commitment across all stages of programming. This simplified the delivery of more coherent and efficient outcomes for the poorest and most disadvantaged in Bhutan. 

Strategic framework

At the outcome level contributions were articulated in terms of development results that support national priorities. Results captured institutional and behavioural changes from initiatives launched by two or more United Nations organizations alongside the national government and civil society partners. The four outcomes outlined in the One Programme:

• Sustainable development: Sustainable and green economic growth that is equitable, inclusive, climate and disaster resilient, and promotes poverty reduction, and employment opportunities—particularly for vulnerable groups.
• Essential social services: Increased and equitable access, utilization and quality of inclusive essential social services for all with a focus on sustaining the MDGs and addressing emerging challenges.
• Gender equality and child protection: Communities and institutions strengthened to achieve enhanced gender equality, empowerment and protection of women and children.
• Good governance and participation: Governance institutions and communities exercise the principles of democratic governance at national and local levels with a focus on inclusiveness, transparency, accountability and evidence-based decision making.

To achieve these results, the UN prioritized promoting evidence-based policy making by supporting national capacities for data collection and analysis, with a particular emphasis on economic and social disadvantage. The organization also: 

• Supported policy integration at national and local levels, and across sectors to promote a multi-sectoral approach—with a focus on the socially excluded.
• Promoted participatory approaches to ensure active engagement of all stakeholders in policy planning, implementation and monitoring.
• Retained a strong focus on demand creation and behavioural change at the individual and community levels.

Stakeholder focus was on areas of strategic transformational potential where the UN could, given its technical, human and financial resources, work with government and other development partners in support of realizing a progressive human rights agenda. Fund resources enabled the UN to address critical bottlenecks and barriers that excluded the most poor and vulnerable, alongside promoting advocacy, raising awareness of good practices and social issues, influencing policies and budgets, and strengthening the national capacity of duty bearers and rights holders. 

GovernanceGovernance arrangements

The One Programme was implemented and monitored under the overall supervision and guidance of a joint Government and United Nations Country Programme Board. Board members included senior officials from national implementing partners and the United Nations Country Team. Other One Programme partner agencies were invited as required. 

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee was responsible for prioritization and allocation decisions of un-earmarked contributions to the UN Bhutan Country Fund. The initial prioritization for allocation was guided by recommendations from the Joint Outcome Groups annual review. The Committee guided the operations and management of the Fund, reviewed the joint resource mobilization strategy, ensured the Country Programme Board was informed of allocations, and took into consideration Board strategic priorities. 

Resident Coordinator

Responsible for the overall management of the UN Bhutan Country Fund in consensus with Heads of Participating United Nations Organizations. In line with “Delivering as One” objectives in Bhutan, the Resident Coordinator was responsible for the strategic leadership of the UN Bhutan Country Fund on the basis of the One Programme. The Resident Coordinator advocated and mobilized resources for the UN Bhutan Country Fund in consultation with the Heads of Participating United Nations Organizations.

Administrative Agent

Funds are routed by way of a pass-through mechanism. Participating Organizations receive funds through the Administrative Agent, the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) Office. The Administrative Agent is responsible for the receipt, administration and management of contributions from donors, disbursement of funds to Participating Organizations, and consolidation and dissemination of progress reports to donors.

Participating Organizations

Programme implementation is the responsibility of Participating Organizations. Each organization is programmatically and financially responsible for resources received.

Projects

Bhutan UN Country Fund

Bhutan UN Country Fund is currently supporting count_projects ongoing projectscount_globalInterregional and count_countries country-specific. This table shows the most recently approved ongoing projects.

All project financial information can be found in the Financials section, including delivery analysis by organization, theme and project; project financial status by country and by theme.

Bhutan UN Country Fund

Results

The UN Bhutan Country Fund (One Fund) mobilized and allocated resources for United Nations programmes that sought Millennium Development Goal and Sustainable Development Goal outcomes in four key areas (sustainable development, essential social services, gender equality and child protection, and good governance and participation).

Investments enhanced the flexibility and responsiveness of United Nations action in Bhutan, and assisted the government and local partners in addressing existing and emerging national priorities.

ContactsPoints of contact