ObjectivesFund scope
Based on established national priorities and comparative advantages, Fund stakeholders identified four areas relevant to achievement of the SDGs: human capital, economic development, good governance, and environmental sustainability. To realize the United Nations Vision 2030 for Equatorial Guinea—uniting a country through peace and prosperity where people enjoy economic, social, political and cultural rights equitably—the UNDAF planning process for 2019-2023 relied on the 2030 Agenda, as a foundation, and drew from fundamental principles of gender equality, realization of rights, environmental resilience, and elimination of all forms of discrimination.
This framework was further modified in March 2020 when the country confirmed its first COVID-19 case and has worked to contain outbreaks in its borders since then. Two national impact assessments and context-relevant frameworks proposed by the United Nations inspired the development of the Socio-economic Response and Recovery Plan (SERP) against COVID-19 for Equatorial Guinea. The SERP addresses major challenges caused by the pandemic through a systemic and multidimensional perspective and focus on the most vulnerable.
The Fund contributes to the achievement of the SDGs Equatorial Guinea by supporting catalytic interventions within the UNDAF and SERP. By mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on health, social protection, education services/systems and the environment, Fund stakeholders work towards leaving no one behind and addressing structural weaknesses aggravated by the crisis to build back better in a post-pandemic era. Vital programmes and projects cater to the needs of vulnerable groups suffering from the most severe consequences of COVID-19 with the bulk being women (who are more likely to be poor, unemployed, have lower wages, married off as children, drop out of school, and face higher levels of gender-based violence).
Theory of change
Based on favorable assumptions, like enduring peace and stability in the region, availability of vaccines, continuity of funding to MPTFs, a greater number of bilateral partners (including from the private sector), increased political will to achieve the SGDs and fulfill international obligations on human rights, anti-corruption, sustainable economic growth, and environmental protections, coordinated interventions will increase the accountability and transparency of national actors and empower young people and women to co-create solutions that lead to change in their communities.
Leveling-up localized action, particularly regarding COVID-19 responses, has the potential to reverberate beyond governance, economic development and environmental sustainability into other development programmes and projects. It widens the window for the national government to roll its COVID-19 vaccination plan and help health, education and social protection systems better cater to the needs of the most vulnerable and increased capacities to absorb future shocks.
Policy decisions and mechanisms are based on updated evidence and data, which empowers professionals at national institutions to promote the rule of law, combat corruption and maritime crime, be more accountable and transparent, and rally for increased participation of women and youth in decision-making processes. Programmers and experts providing oversight develop strategic plans for diversified employment-generating opportunities and the sustainable use of natural resources, which are submitted for approval to national authorities and contribute, in the medium term, to:
- All target beneficiaries in Equatorial Guinea have access to COVID-19 vaccines.
- Inclusive and quality health, education and social protection services, and sector and economic policies, are strengthened based on current data.
- Human rights and gender equality are promoted through increased governance mechanisms, including fighting corruption and improving rule of law.
- Increased inclusive and diversified economic growth and environmental sustainability.
The vision of stakeholders is to contribute—in the longer-term—to an equitable, inclusive and resilient society in Equatorial Guinea, whether that is by leaving no-one behind or creating COVID-19 response and recovery initiatives. Fund thematic windows include COVID-19 vaccine support, systems strengthening and knowledge management, good governance, security, and raising resilience to rebound in more efficient and sustainable ways.