Chapter 1. About this Guide

This introductory chapter presents the purpose, scope and structure of the Guide. It explains who the Guide is for, how it was developed and how it can be used. It situates the Guide within broader United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) strategies and shows how it complements other tools and resources. The chapter encourages teams to start where they are, build on existing momentum and use the Guide flexibly as a resource for practical action, strategic reflection and inspiration.

Chapter 2. UNDP’s people-centred approach to justice and security

This chapter introduces the UNDP people-centred approach to justice and security. It explains why the approach is essential for advancing rule of law, conflict prevention and sustainable development, and outlines the concrete benefits it brings to people, governments, development partners and UNDP. The chapter defines the approach and its relationship to human rights-based programming and the principle of Leave No One Behind, and sets out the five core elements that guide its application across diverse contexts. The section concludes with key messages to inform programming design, implementation and adaptation.

Chapter 3. Introducing the three-step programming approach

This chapter introduces a structured, step-by-step process for translating the people-centred approach into practice. It supports teams to diagnose problems, co-create and test solutions, and adapt interventions based on evidence and learning. Chapters 4, 5 and 6 detail in turn each of the three steps.

Chapter 4. Step 1: Identify and understand the problem

Step 1 helps teams understand justice and security problems from the perspective of the people affected. It begins by identifying whose needs are not being met and why, examining how systems function and what drives current outcomes. Step 1 brings together stakeholder mapping, power and political economy analysis (PPEA), conflict analysis and systems mapping to develop a shared understanding of the problem. It also shapes what and how evidence will be gathered, ensuring MEL is anchored in people’s needs and experiences from the outset. Step 1 recognizes that people-centred programming requires ongoing diagnosis, not only at the start of a programme but throughout implementation, to remain relevant, inclusive and responsive to shifting dynamics.

Chapter 5. Step 2: Design and test solutions

Step 2 focuses on translating insights from problem analysis into strategic, people-centred interventions. It supports teams to identify programming entry points, co-create solutions with communities and institutions, and test those solutions in ways that are inclusive, adaptive and grounded in evidence. Step 2 offers practical guidance on developing MEL systems, as well as integrated and portfolio programming that reflects both long-term goals and current context dynamics. It introduces tools such as the Six Dimensions Tool and the People-Centred Capacity and Integrity Framework to support strategic design and implementation.

Chapter 6

People-centred justice and security programming is not static; it must evolve as needs shift, contexts change and new insights emerge. Step 3 focuses on how teams can use evidence and experience to adapt interventions, scale what works, and embed change within justice and security systems.

Chapter 7. Conclusion

This chapter offers a brief conclusion that emphasizes the Guide is not a blueprint, but a practical resource to support context-specific and adaptive people-centred justice and security programming

Download the Quick Reference Guide

A concise overview of the Designing and Delivering People-Centred Justice and Security: A UNDP Programming Guide. Summarizes its structure, key concepts and tools, and directs users to the sections most relevant to their programming needs.

Download the UNDP people-centred justice and security policy framework

Sets out UNDP’s policy foundations for people-centred justice and security programming. Defines the approach, its principles and its role in advancing systems that are fair, accessible, accountable and trusted.

Designing and Delivering People-Centred Justice and Security

A UNDP Programming Guide

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What
the Guide
does

The Designing and Delivering People-Centred Justice and Security: A UNDP Programming Guide helps teams translate the people-centred approach into action. It provides structured steps, practical tools, and examples from across UNDP’s global experience to design, test and adapt interventions that are context-responsive, systems-informed and adaptive.

It is both a toolkit for action and a source of inspiration, supporting teams that are new to the approach and those building on existing efforts.

The Guide applies across all contexts, from crisis prevention, response and recovery to long-term development. It supports programming that engages institutions and empowers people and communities to meet immediate justice and security needs while fostering lasting change towards fair, inclusive, accountable and trusted systems that deliver justice and security for all.

For a concise overview of the Guide’s structure, key messages and tools, download the accompanying Quick Reference Guide here.

Inside the Guide

Explore the Guide’s three main parts that move from understanding to action.

Chapter 1

About this Guide

Learn why the Guide was developed, who it serves and how to use it effectively.

The People-Centred Approach

Understand the approach, its principles and how it transforms justice and security programming.

Implementing the Approach

Introduces an iterative three-step process to understand, design, test and adapt interventions using evidence and learning.

Step 1: Identify and understand the problem

Explains how to understand people’s rights and needs, analyse how systems function and diagnose the problem using evidence and people’s experiences.

Step 2: Design and test solutions

Describes how to identify entry points, co-create and test solutions, and apply people-centred MEL for effective and adaptive programming.

Step 3: Adapt and evolve interventions

Sets out how to reflect, learn, adapt and scale interventions based on evidence and experience to strengthen relevance and impact.

Conclusion

Reinforces the Guide as a practical resource for adaptive, context-specific programming.

Seven Principles for People-Centred Programming

These principles guide how justice and security programming is conceived, implemented and adapted. They apply at every stage of the programme cycle.

Start with People’s Justice and Security Needs

Understand how people experience injustice and insecurity.

People’s “needs” include their legal and human rights and their ability to access to fair, accountable services and just outcomes. Understandings of justice and security problems must be shaped by people’s actual experiences. Start by listening to how people, especially women, youth, and marginalized groups, experience injustice and insecurity in their daily lives, and ensure that their voices are central in defining the problems to be addressed.

Design with People, Not for Them

Co-create solutions with the people affected by the problem.

Work with the Ecosystem

Engage the system of State, non-State and hybrid actors people rely on.

Focus on Relationships, Not Just Institutions

Build trust through fair and accountable services.

Strengthen People’s Agency and Voice

Support empowerment, participation, action, and accountability.

People-centred programming strengthens people’s ability to influence and take part in the decisions that shape their access to justice, safety, and rights. Agency means that people and communities are not passive recipients of support, but active drivers of change. This involves building their knowledge, confidence, and collective voice to claim rights, solve problems, and hold State, non-State and hybrid justice and security actors to account.

Measure What Matters to People

Track improved processes and outcomes for people.

Programming success should be judged by the quality of the relationship between people and justice and security providers (State, non-State and hybrid), not just by institutional outputs. This means tracking whether people experience these providers as fair, accountable, responsive, inclusive, and trustworthy, using evidence from people’s everyday experiences and perspectives alongside institutional data.

Adapt as You Go

Test, reflect and learn, and adapt based on what works for people.

Tools and Resources

The Guide provides practical tools and resources that support analysis, design and adaptation of people-centred justice and security programming.

Stakeholder Influence Tool

Identify who supports or opposes a change, and their influence over outcomes.

Six Dimensions Tool

Identify and assess entry points for programming.

People-Centred Capacity and Integrity Framework (PCCIF)

Identify institutional strengths, gaps and entry points for people-centred transformation.

People-Centred Indicators

Measure how people’s experience of justice and security changes over time.

Running Reflection Sessions

Use reflection sessions to learn and adapt programming.

People-centred Evaluations

Apply a people-centred lens to OECD/DAC evaluation criteria.

How the approach enables the UNDP Strategic Plan

Shows how the approach advances UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029

Benefits of the approach

Summarises the key benefits of the approach for people, governments, international partners and UNDP

The approach and the HDP Nexus

Shows how the approach complements programming across the HDP Nexus, especially stabilization efforts.

Explore the Guide

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