In depth

What We Do 

UNDP assists Timor-Leste to consolidate democracy, promote reforms and ensure the protection of human rights and liberties. We bring people together, foster partnerships and promote participation, accountability and effectiveness at all levels. We work with a wide range of partners including, Government, Parliament, justice system, civil society, academic institutions, international organizations and the media. Our interventions focus on key areas of Timor-Leste democratic transformation:

  • Gender Equality
  • Local development
  • Decentralization and local self-governance
  • Strong Parliamentary process
  • Access to justice
  • Credible and transparent elections
  • Active civil society

Strengthening the National Police Capacity

Increasing Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) capacity to deliver key services and establish credibility among the general population has been a major priority for the Government of Timor-Leste (GOTL) and PNTL leadership. UNDP partners with the GOTL and PNTL to support these priorities by providing management and administrative support to both these partners. This includes building on PNTL skills in strategic planning, human resources, procurement, asset management, fleet management, public relations and IT database management.

Justice System Programme (JSP)

The Justice System Programme (JSP) of UNDP Timor-Leste was launched in 2003 to develop the institutional and human capacity of the Timorese Justice Sector. It is one of the longest running programmes of UNDP Timor-Leste, providing strong foundations of the institutional establishment from a state of non-existence domestic judiciary. In 2003 JSP established the Legal and Judicial Training Centre in 2003, providing legal education and training for existing legal actors. Since 2010, with the establishment of the mobile court initiative, it has brought justice closer to communities by convening the hearings in 9 municipalities where fixed courts have not been established. Nearly 20% of the cases decided in the district courts were adjudicated at mobile courts, involving 971 beneficiaries and 51% of the criminal cases adjudicated at the mobile courters were related to gender-based violence. 

Leveraging Electoral Assistance for Regionalized Nation-Building (LEARN)

UNDP in partnership with the Government of Japan and Korea, support a variety of actors, including Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs), civil society organizations and the media. The project aims to provide technical assistance to Timorese EMBs throughout the entire electoral cycle, with a strong focus on civil and voter education, considering support already provided to Suco (Village), Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

Oecussi Regional Administration and Zone for Social Market Economy (ZEESM)

Drawing on its strengths in the two complementary areas of good governance and sustainable, innovative development, UNDP is supporting the Government of Timor-Leste to establish and operationalize the Oecussi Regional Administration and Zone for Social Market Economy (ZEESM). This small enclave in West-Timor is a special economic zone designed to spur sustainable economic growth, create jobs and enable social development through provision of technical support for the development and implementation of the institutional framework. UNDP aims to ensure a mechanism for delivering and overseeing public policy, improving public services, and enabling regional administration through appropriate legal, policy and institutional frameworks. 

Sub-National Governance and Development Programme (SNGDP)

The Sub-National Governance and Development Programme (SNGDP) was launched by the Government of Timor-Leste in 2014 to implement decentralization policy, as well as consolidate and strengthen Timor-Leste’s national investment planning, financing and implementation processes with the objective of achieving poverty reduction and local development. Through SNGDP the Government of Timor-Leste and UNDP provide support to implementation of the Strategic Development Plan of Timor-Leste 2011-2030, providing essential capacity development and technical assistance for infrastructure planning and project implementation in social and economic sectors.