Culture and DevelopmentStrengthening creative industries and protecting natural and cultural heritage have proved to be effective instruments of economic development. Our work has harnessed the potential of the creative sector for job creation, economic growth and poverty reduction and supported efforts to promote the inclusion of minorities in social, political and cultural life. We have worked extensively with indigenous communities to safeguard their cultural heritage and to build health and education services that respond to their worldviews.
This thematic study aims to capture the main achievements of the 18 Joint Programmes (JPs) funded under the Thematic Window on Culture and Development of the UNDP- Spain MDG Achievement Fund (MDG-F). The MDG-F is the result of a major partnership signed in December 2006 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Spain, with the aim of contributing to progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the internationally -agreed objectives in the field of development which have, since 2000, galvanised international efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest.