Nairobi, 24th June 2022 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kenya, the Embassy of Italy in Kenya and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) have today signed a cooperation agreement through which UNDP will receive €300,000 to support the ‘Consolidating Democratic Dividends for Sustainable Transformation in Kenya’ Project.

“Italy wants to stand by Kenya and the United Nations family to foster a peaceful environment which will enable free and democratic election. As Italy, we are particularly committed to promoting gender equality and countering discrimination and violence against women in elections. Our long-lasting partnership with the UNDP, UN Women and OHCHR, which - I am glad to announce - will continue in the next years, is the proof of the commitment of our Government in this area,” said the Ambassador of Italy to Kenya, H.E Ambassador Alberto Pieri.

The signing of the cooperation agreement comes at a time when Kenya is rallying for women's participation in politics through the constitutional two-thirds gender rule. In its obligation to deliver on enhancing the democratic governance in Kenya, the Project is working on institutional strengthening, capacity building of democratic governance institutions as well as civic engagement and promoting the role of women and youth in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and democratic governance. The project also provides the platform for UNDP Kenya's electoral assistance ahead of the August 2022 general elections.

“We are proud as the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation to support Kenya to improve democratic governance, accountability, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, human rights, and gender equality. Good governance is not an impromptu result, but it is a process that requires time,” said the Head of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Nairobi, Giovanni Grandi.

Through the participation of multiple development partnerships with the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Government of Ireland, the Government of Italy joins a multi-donor basket fund where the programme’s implementation will benefit from the ‘UN Delivering as One’ approach through UNDP.

“Today’s signing ceremony does mark an important new step in our journey together. In partnership with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Italy’s support will contribute significantly to strengthened civic engagement, women and youth participation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding,” said UNDP Kenya's Resident Representative ad interim Mandisa Mashologu.

"We are very grateful to the Government of Italy for its unwavering support towards protecting the women and girls of Kenya from all forms of gender-based violence and empowering women to participate equally in governance. This support will help us scale up our efforts in preventing and responding to violence against women in elections while amplifying women-led calls for peaceful polls this August and beyond," said UN Women Kenya Country Representative Anna Mutavati.

This support aligns well with both the Government of Italy and UNDP’s focus on the importance of enhancing democratic governance, and promoting gender and youth interests and is critical in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on gender equality, SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions and the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 – the landmark resolution on women, peace, and security.

''We appreciate this support from Italy through UNDP, which will contribute to efforts of ensuring citizens enjoy their constitutional rights to participate in peaceful, inclusive elections and engage in governance and electoral processes,'' said OHCHR’s Senior Human Rights Adviser, Li Fung.

Note to editors

About the ‘Consolidating Democratic Dividends for Sustainable Transformation in Kenya’ Programme

The programme supports state action and citizen engagement towards realizing improved democratic governance, accountability, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, human rights, and gender equality. It integrates a human rights-based and people-centred approach to support the engagement of government institutions, communities, and marginalized groups in governance. Interventions will be undertaken in a phased approach. Phase I works to support broader democratic governance, and Phase II provides electoral assistance. The two phases run concurrently

The programme is funded by contributions from the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Irish Aid, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office of the United Kingdom. This UNDP basket fund also benefits from UN contributions provided by UNDP, UN WOMEN, OHCHR and the UN Peacebuilding Fund.

About UNDP Kenya

UNDP is the leading United Nations organisation fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. UNDP has been operating in Kenya since 1966 and supports programmes under three priority areas towards national development priorities:

• Governance, peace, and security
• Inclusive growth and structural transformation
• Environmental sustainability, climate change and resilience

For more information about UNDP Kenya’s activities and current updates follow our social media platforms:

Twitter: @UNDPKenya

Facebook: UNDP Kenya

Linkedin:  UNDP KENYA

Website: https://www.ke.undp.org/content/kenya

About the Italian Development Cooperation in Kenya

Kenya is a priority country for Italy, and the two countries have a solid relationship of friendship, partnership and cooperation. The Regional Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Nairobi aligns its interventions to the national priorities identified by the Government of Kenya, identifies synergies with other actors from the Italian system of development cooperation, including the private sector, and collaborates with European and international development partners. The priority sectors of intervention of the Italian Cooperation in Kenya are i) Agricultural Development, Forestry, Fisheries, Environment, ii) Women empowerment, human rights and civil society, iii) Urban Development and Infrastructure; iv) Support to the private sector and v) Access to basic services.

Twitter: @aics_nairobi

Facebook: @aics.nairobi

Linkedin:   Italian Agency for Development Cooperation - Nairobi Office

Website: https://nairobi.aics.gov.it/en/home/

For media enquiries please contact:

UNDP Kenya

Martin Namasaka

Head of Communications, UNDP Kenya

Email: communication.ke@undp.org

Italian Agency for Development Cooperation - Nairobi Office

Martina Bolognesi 

Communication Officer

Email: martina.bolognesi@aics.gov.it