Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan, covers an area of 347,190 square kilometers and accounts for 44 percent of Pakistan’s territory. It is also the least populated province of Pakistan with a total population of 12.34 million, representing 5 percent of the national population.

In addition to weak institutions, weak governance and poor law enforcement, Balochistan is also marred by an unsettled security situation, difficult terrain and access, an uncertain water supply, and limited livelihood opportunities. Balochistan has the second highest headcount for multi- dimensional poverty out of all the provinces; at 71.2 percent. These development challenges need to be addressed to prepare the province reap benefits from the emerging development opportunities. Implemented by UNDP and the Planning & Development Department of the Government of Balochistan, this project seeks to achieve the following objectives:

1. Enhanced capacities of local governments to effectively plan and deliver services to achieve the SDGs.
2. Accelerating the delivery of SDGs by investing in basic services to address immediate and urgent needs
3. Developing alternate livelihoods and stimulating the local economy through skills training, business development and trade.

Project Activities to Date

Enhanced capacities of the local governments to effectively plan and deliver services to achieve the SDGs

• A Government Innovation Lab (GIL) set up at University of Balochistan for introducing innovation and technology solutions to address development challenges. The lab has so far engaged 21 fellows in completing 6 prototypes (dashboards) for government departments. Apart from these, a water quality testing kit has been designed and tested by GIL, providing real time Android based data about the functionality and water quality of filtration plants.
• 3 surveys related to assessment of bottlenecks and gap analysis in basic services delivery mechanism and policy recommendations for implementation completed by the support of GIL.
• SDGs Localization plan for two districts - Nushki and Qilla Adullah prepared.
• The project conducted a market assessment of the current trends of the skills sets required by the emerging market triggered by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative.
• Launch of an Innovation Challenge Cup for the Implementation of 3 technology led innovation projects to provide public service solutions to government departments.
• Launch of the Balochistan youth innovation challenge which provided grants to 27 participants for solving development challenges in Balochistan.
• Provided support to Metropolitan Corporation Quetta under the challenge cup for the sustainable low cost waste management of the GOR area of Quetta.

Developing alternate livelihoods and stimulating the local economy through skills training, business development and trade.

• Vocational training for 6 months to 280 young adults from Gwadar (210 males and 70 females).
• 280 trainees from GIT were provided relevant tool kits (including 70 laptops for females)
•   Entrepreneurship trainings to 200 young adults (100 males and 100 females) were provided  by the Institute of Business Administration (IBA).
• 110 faculty members from different academic institutions of Balochistan were trained by IBA to run such trainings independently.
• 6 months training provided on hospitality management for 100 young adults from Balochistan, conducted at PC Hotel Karachi.
• 120 young adults trained for two months in the operation of heavy machinery including dozers, graders, excavators, etc.
• 532 unemployed young adults were trained in entrepreneurship and how to access financial support from banks under the Government of Pakistan’s Kamyab Jawan Program (165 males and 367 females).
• Training of 107 young adults (70 males and 37 females) on E-Commerce.

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