Multilateral Aid Review summary - United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)

UNIDO is a UN specialised agency mandated to promote and accelerate sustainable industrial development.  It works in developing countries and economies in transition, providing technical assistance, in particular to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). It contributes to MDG1 (poverty reduction), MDG 3 (gender equality), MDG7 (environment) and MDG 8 (global partnerships).

	comment
Contribution to UK development objectives	Unsatisfactory
	_	UNIDO does not play a critical role in the delivery of DFID and HMG development objectives.
	_	UNIDO’s criticality is limited by the small scope of its programmes and its restricted niche.
	+	There is evidence of UNIDO supporting country-level interventions that links to its norms and standards role, e.g. follow-up to the Montreal Protocol.  It contributes to wealth creation in a range of SME sectors.
	_	UNIDO does not have a consistent approach to results management across its programmes especially in terms of meeting the MDGs.
	_	Working in fragile states is not a focus area for UNIDO.
Organisational strengths	Weak
	+	UNIDO generally has a good track record in the area of cost control.
	+	The evidence points to UNIDO performing well on partnerships with governments, SMEs and the UN – its key stakeholders.
	_	There is limited evidence that UNIDO supports partners to think about value for money.
	_	Limited evidence for how UNIDO applies a country-led approach.
	_	UNIDO does not have a systematic approach to managing for results.
	_	No evidence of a specific disclosure policy.  UNIDO does not publish key project information.
	+	Good representation of member states within a governance structure that is regarded as being effective and pragmatic
Capacity for positive change	Likely
	+	UNIDO has shown a positive attitude to reform in key areas, especially in terms of clarifying its mandate and scope of activities and driving forward improvements in how the organisation reports on results.  A change management programme currently being rolled out will help to improve in these areas.
	_	There is no evidence that UNIDO could expand either the scale or scope of its activities to an extent that could make a critical contribution to UK development objectives.