UNDEF was established by the UN Secretary-General in 2005 to support democratization efforts around the world. UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations -- both in the transition and consolidation phases of democratization.

UNDEF subsists entirely on voluntary contributions from Governments; in 2010, it surpassed US$110 million in contributions and now counts 39 countries as donors, including many middle- and low-income States in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

In four Rounds of Funding so far, UNDEF has supported a total of more than 330 projects in more than 110 countries.

UNDEF projects are two years long and fall under one or more of six main areas:

• Community development
• Rule of law and human rights
• Tools for democratization
• Women
• Youth
• Media

UNDEF grants range from US$50,000 to US$500,000. Applications are subject to a highly rigorous and competitive selection process, as UNDEF receives an average of about 2,000 applications a year and only some 60-70 are selected.

REGIONWISE PROJECTS HIGHLIGHTS:

• Africa – In Sub-Saharan Africa, 82 projects have been funded by UNDEF totalling $US 23,603,354
• Arab States – In the Arab States region, 24 projects have been funded by UNDEF totalling $US 6,802,856.
• Asia and the Pacific - In Asia and The Pacific, 54 projects have been funded by UNDEF totalling $US 15,465,981.
• Europe - In Europe, 30 projects have been funded by UNDEF totalling $US 8,080,200.
• Latin America and the Caribbean – In Latin America and The Carribean, 39 projects have been funded by UNDEF totalling $US 11,528,830.
• Global - UNDEF has funded 16 projects that have a global focus, totalling $US4,773,071.

UNDEF AND OTHER UN ENTITIES:

The Fund attempts to complement existing activities, and respond to requests that go beyond the reach of existing mechanisms. It works closely with other UN bodies to ensure coordination.

In order to do so, one of the key actors of the UNDEF's governance structure is the Programme Consultative Group (PCG). The PCG is composed of representatives from the UN Department of Political Affairs, the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the UN Development Fund for Women, the UN Development Programme, the UN Development Group, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights giving substantive and scientific advice to the UNDEF Office and the Advisory Board on project proposals and funding criteria.