UNDEF was established by the UN Secretary-General in 2005 as a United Nations General Trust Fund to support democratization efforts around the world.

UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes.

The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations both in the transition and consolidation phases of democratization. In this way, UNDEF plays a novel and unique role in complementing the UN’s traditional work – the work with Governments – to strengthen democratic governance around the world. UNDEF subsists entirely on voluntary contributions from Governments; in 2013, it surpassed 150 million dollars in contributions and now counts more than 40 countries as donors, including many middle- and low-income States in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

See more: www.un.org/democracyfund