2 million USD from the Joint Sustainable Development Fund to strengthen social protection work in Rwanda

The Joint Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Fund set up by the Member States of the United Nations to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs globally has allocated 2,000,000 USD to the United Nations in Rwanda to implement a joint programme that will contribute to the Government of Rwanda’s efforts for integrated social protection to end poverty in all its forms, leaving no one behind.

The programme will be implemented over a two-year period from 2020-2021 by UNICEF, WFP,  FAO and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (RCO) with a coordinating role, through a partnership with the Government of Rwanda and national partners; Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) as lead, Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), and Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA) focusing on Kirehe, Karongi, Burera, Nyamagabe, and Rutsiro Districts. The three implementing agencies will add their own resources to the joint programme with an amount of 1,040,000 USD putting the total available funds at 3,040,000 USD. 

The “Joint Programme on Accelerating Integrated Policy interventions to Promote Social Protection in Rwanda” aims to provide innovative and catalytic solutions to deliver transformative results to the nation’s existing social protection framework. The programme’s integrated strategy involves supporting the Government of Rwanda on multiple levels, from enhancing the coordination around social protection at policy level, strengthen the existing systems in social protection to enhance the effective delivery of services and support innovative poverty reduction and community-led initiatives at decentralized level. 

The Government of Rwanda represented by MINALOC has led the process to ensure that the programme contributes to the government’s current needs and vision for the social protection sector and that it will contribute directly to government national priorities for poverty eradication and district-level plans.  

“With appreciation to the Joint SDG Fund for this financial support, we also commend the government of Rwanda that stands out as exemplary in its strong structure, clear goals, and effective commitment to achieving tangible results. This provides a conducive context for the UN to work, and partner with the Government and national stakeholders and contribute to the development of the country and the wellbeing of the people leaving no one behind, through the very relevant for poverty eradication of the social protection framework.”.

The joint programme will contribute to achieving the ambitious SDG targets in eliminating poverty and hunger, significantly reducing inequalities while working in a climate-smart manner. The join programme is a part of the United Nations Development Plan for Rwanda (UNDAP 2018-2023) and it is aligned with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST1 2017-2024), Social Protection Strategic Plan (2018-2024) and the Government’s Joint Multisectoral Action Plan to Eradicate Extreme Poverty.