Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office GATEWAY beta

Fund Dates

• Start Date: 1 January 2008
• End Date: 31 December 2013

JP Timor Leste INFUSE - Reports

• 2011 Annual Progress Report (NEW!)
• 2011 Source and Use of Funds statement (NEW!)

Overview

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have established a Joint Programme in Timor-Leste entitled "Inclusive Finance for Under-Served Economy (INFUSE),” using a pass-through funding modality. The INFUSE Joint Programme’s goal is to reduce poverty by increasing access to financial services to the poor and low-income population. Using a sector-wide approach, the INFUSE Joint Programme focuses on increasing access to sustainable financial services.

The INFUSE Joint Programme encompasses:

• A duration of five years, from 01 January 2008 to 31 December 2012;
• Partnerships with the Ministry of Economy and Development, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Banking and payments Authority, financial services providers, non-governmental organisations, or other groups supporting the provision of financial services.

The INFUSE Joint Programme is administered by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in accordance with its financial regulations and rules.   

Assistance Strategy

The overarching goal of the Timor-Leste Inclusive Finance for Under-Served Economy (INFUSE) Joint Programme is to reduce poverty, by increasing sustainable access to financial services for the poor and low-income population. The INFUSE Joint Programme’s three main outcomes are:

• Policy development and strategic coordination;
• Facilitation of the growth and long-term sustainability of retail financial service providers, so that they can increase their outreach to poor and low-income people; and
• Development of financial business support infrastructure (credit registry, audit, information technology, innovative technology).

The commitment of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to the Inclusive Finance for Under-Served Economy (INFUSE) Joint Programme in Timor-Leste is reflected in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), which legally protects and promotes poverty reduction, food insecurity, and human rights. The INFUSE Joint Programme contributes towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 1, specifically to cut absolute poverty by one third by 2015, and increase sustainable access to financial services for the poor and low-income population.

Governance

The Inclusive Finance for Under-Served Economy (INFUSE) Joint Programme is implemented jointly by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) using a pass-through funding modality. The Participating UN Organisations work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Development. The programmatic and financial accountability rests with the Participating UN Organisations, which manage their respective components of the Joint Programme.

Investment Committee

The main objective of the national Investment Committee is to facilitate effective implementation and coordination of the INFUSE Joint Programme. The Investment Committee consists of: United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ministry of Economy and Development, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Banking and Payments Authority, and donors serving as observers.

Administrative Agent

The Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as the Administrative Agent (AA) of the INFUSE Joint Programme. The AA is responsible for concluding Standard Administrative Arrangements (SAAs) with donor(s) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Participating UN Organisations (UNCDF and UNDP).

Decision Making

The Investment Committee discusses and approves work plans and budgets as well as any substantive or financial issues pertaining to implementation of the Inclusive Finance for Under-Served Economy (INFUSE) Joint Programme. The members assume responsibility for performing joint monitoring of Joint Programme activities. Decisions are made by consensus. Members provide regular feedback on its implementation and propose any necessary corrective actions to resolve problems, ensure accountability, and make recommendations.

The Administrative Agent [Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)] for the INFUSE Joint Programme is responsible for the receipt, administration, and management of contributions from donors; disbursement of funds to the Participating UN Organisations; and consolidation of financial reports produced by each of the Participating UN Organisations and Non-UN Participating Organisations and provision of these reports to the Investment Committee for onward submission to the donor(s).