Asunción, Paraguay – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has commemorated 47 years of unwavering partnership with Paraguay, highlighting decades of collaborative efforts aimed at fostering sustainable development and improving the lives of Paraguayan citizens. Since its establishment in Paraguay, the UNDP has worked hand-in-hand with the government, civil society organizations, and the private sector, playing a pivotal role in the country's progress across various critical areas.

The UNDP, which describes itself as an organization working in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and protect the planet, provides crucial support to nations in formulating sound policies, strengthening capacities, building partnerships, and improving institutions. Its work in Paraguay reflects this global mission, focusing on poverty reduction, the implementation of the Paris Agreement, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Over the past 47 years, this enduring collaboration has yielded significant achievements across a spectrum of sectors, demonstrably impacting the well-being of families and communities throughout Paraguay. These accomplishments underscore the UNDP's commitment to fostering transformative change and connecting Paraguay with the resources needed to build a better future.

Key Milestones in a Decades-Long Partnership:

Empowering Women Leaders: The UNDP has been instrumental in establishing and sustaining political education schools for women leaders. Over the past five years, this initiative has empowered over 600 graduates, equipping them with the skills and motivation to pursue leadership roles through electoral participation. The program has fostered crucial competencies in leadership, electoral communication, and overall empowerment, often in collaboration with other partner organizations.
Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: In a critical time of need, the UNDP supported Paraguay's healthcare system by providing 393 essential biomedical equipment items to 18 national specialized and reference hospitals. This included ventilators, operating tables, X-ray machines, echocardiography equipment, hospital beds, and surgical aspirators, significantly bolstering the country's capacity to respond effectively to the pandemic.
Strengthening the Education Sector: Recognizing the importance of quality education, the UNDP has supported the development of professional courses in 35 teacher training centers. Furthermore, the provision of school supply kits to educational institutions has contributed to improved educational quality and accessibility across the nation.
Generating Socio-Economic Impact: Through the Small Grants Programme (SGP) of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the UNDP has fostered innovative and impactful projects addressing sustainable development challenges. This initiative has benefited 126 organizations nationwide, playing a vital role in promoting community-based sustainable development initiatives.
Supporting Social Protection Programs: The UNDP provided crucial technical assistance in the initial design and implementation phases of conditional cash transfer programs such as Tekoporã and Tenonderã. Additionally, it has supported the improvement of regulations for women's financial inclusion within the public sector, notably enhancing women's access to finance through community banks.
Advancing Climate Action and Sustainable Forestry: The UNDP has actively contributed to updating Paraguay's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), including its implementation plan, and developing a national forest strategy for sustainable growth through a participatory approach. It has also supported the preparation of national reports for submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), laying a foundation for effective climate action and sustainable development.
Enhancing National Protected Area Systems: Technical assistance has been provided to strengthen Paraguay's national protected area system, including support in formulating the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and preparing national reports for the Convention on Biological Diversity. This work is crucial for preserving and sustainably managing Paraguay's rich biodiversity.
Improving Citizen Access to Justice: The construction, renovation, or expansion of over 40 Triple Impact (high social and environmental benefit) courthouse buildings across the country has significantly improved access to justice for citizens and enhanced the quality of judicial services.
Promoting Local Economic Growth and Formalizing the Industrial Sector: At the community level, the UNDP has implemented programs aimed at fostering the growth and formalization of the textile industry. Workshops involving key companies and 12 SMEs have led to improvements in productivity, management skills, working conditions, and a reduction in industrial accidents.
Combating Gender-Based Violence: The UNDP has supported the development of "Guidelines for Police Action and an Inter-institutional Coordination Manual for Comprehensive Response to Cases of Domestic Violence" and related training. This initiative strengthens response protocols for reported cases and contributes to efforts to reduce femicide in Paraguay.
Bridging the Digital Divide: A Collaborative Approach to Empowering Small Businesses

In a more recent initiative highlighted on December 30, 2024, the UNDP Paraguay Accelerator Lab showcased a successful collaboration between university students in Encarnación and local small business owners. Recognizing the critical role of digital technologies in enhancing business competitiveness, the UNDP facilitated a knowledge transfer experience where digitally skilled students mentored local entrepreneurs.

The digital transformation of businesses, encompassing the adoption of digital technologies across organizational structures, production processes, competitive strategies, and business models, is increasingly vital for success in today's market. While digitally savvy entrepreneurs can leverage these tools to enhance visibility, optimize processes, improve customer communication, and access new markets, a significant gap persists between digital skills and labor market demands.

To address this challenge, the UNDP Paraguay Accelerator Lab initiated an innovative university extension project titled "Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Inclusive Digital Development." This project connected students from the National University of Itapúa (UNI) and the Autonomous University of Encarnación (UNAE) with local small business owners to transfer essential entrepreneurial digital skills.

Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Mentorship:

The initiative involved a "Training of Trainers Workshop" where selected university students from technology, business, and industry-related faculties were trained in effective communication, creating engaging digital content, and mentorship strategies. The Encarnación Entrepreneur Support Center (CAE) facilitated the connection and selection of local entrepreneurs who were then matched with the student digital mentors.

Following an initial assessment of each small business owner's specific needs, six personalized consulting and training sessions were provided. This tailored approach enabled students to effectively guide entrepreneurs in leveraging digital marketing on social media platforms, significantly contributing to the growth and development of their businesses.

Measuring the Impact of Digital Skills Training:

To evaluate the effectiveness of the mentorship program, self-awareness assessments were conducted in the following areas:

Digital Self-Efficacy (DSE): Assessing individuals' confidence in their ability to perform ICT-related tasks, cope with digital work demands, and use digital technologies effectively and autonomously.
Digital Literacy: Evaluating the ability to use digital tools and technologies, including the capacity to find, evaluate, and create information digitally, encompassing both cognitive and technical skills.
Digital Content Creation: Measuring the ability to generate and edit new content (text, images, video), integrate knowledge, rework prior content, and create artistic and multimedia productions.
The UNDP's enduring commitment to Paraguay, spanning nearly half a century, underscores its dedication to poverty eradication, inequality reduction, and the pursuit of sustainable development. Building upon a rich history of collaboration and innovation, the UNDP remains a steadfast partner in Paraguay's journey towards a more inclusive and sustainable future. The organization has expressed its profound gratitude to the people of Paraguay for the opportunity to contribute to this ongoing progress.