What is the UN Democracy Fund?

In the year 2005, India and the United States were the key movers behind the UNDEF. At this time, these two countries were mediating the civilian nuclear cooperation deal, with S Jaishankar as the chief negotiator.

Now, the UNDEF gives grants to George Soros-funded NGOs. However, the man is on the watchlist in India in the year 2016, and the country is a founding member of the UN Democracy Fund. This definitely creates a contradictory situation to understand.

The United Nations Democracy Fund

Established in the year 2005, the United Nations Democracy Fund aims to aid democratization efforts all around the globe. It was established by Kofi A. Annan, UN Secretary-General.

The UNDEF was welcomed in the Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit by the General Assembly.

The UNDEF creates a huge impact in assisting other work of the UN with the governments to support and foster democratic governance in the world.

The mission of the UN Democracy Fund

The UN Democracy Fund holds the mission to encourage and aid projects that foster the voice of civil society. The UNDEF supports human rights and fosters the participation of not one but all groups in the democratic processes. 

Governance of the UNDEF

Located within the UN Secretariat, the United Nations Democracy Fund lies under the UN Secretary General's direct authority. The UNDEF Advisory Board directs the UN Secretary General. The UN Advisory Board comprises of seven biggest donor nations. These countries include Japan, United States, Australia, Germany, India, Spain, and Qatar. Since the year 2007, Professor Michael Doyle of the Columbia University has been the chair. All the members of the UNDEF serve for a tenure of two years. The UNDEF Consultative group plays the role of the UN inter-agency mechanism that offers expert advice. Such advice includes recommendations for project picking. The UNDEF Program Consultative Group consists of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Department of Political Affairs, the Peacebuilding Support Office, the UN Development Fund for Women, the Department of Political Affairs, the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and the UN Development Program.

To make sure that there are low overheads, only a small team of four professionals manage the UNDEF office. These professionals are headed by Roland Rich of Australia.

Mandates and Projects by the UNDEF

The UN Democracy Fund assists projects that strengthen civil society, encourage human rights, and boost the participation of not one but each and every group in democratic processes.

Most of the funds reach to CSOs- local civil society organizations.