66 PROMOTING AND PROTECTING MINORITY RIGHTS helpful in advancing dialogue between national Governments and Roma. Further, such reports focused on minority groups could highlight critical issues affecting these populations. There is immense capacity within minority communities to support UNDP in achieving its goals. Many minority NGOs are already working towards these goals, and strategic partnerships may be forged between them and UNDP for greater impact. Moreover, many minority NGOs are working in these and other UNDP focus areas, taking the lead in providing HIV care and education or providing access to information and communication technologies for communities. NGOs may also work on contract to UNDP to deliver specific inputs to projects, such as consultancy services or equipment. UNDP has experience in working with a wide range of civil society organizations to strengthen networks, encourage dialogue and build capacity. In Nepal, for example, the United Nations country team involved minority civil society organizations representing various ethnic and women’s groups in the development of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and in country programming processes. Resource guide on marginalized minorities in development programming In partnership with the Independent Expert on minority issues and OHCHR, UNDP has published Marginalised Minorities in Development Programming: A UNDP Resource Guide and Toolkit.76 It aims to: • Introduce and enhance understanding of the rights and interests of minorities; • Identify institutions and mechanisms at international, regional and national levels for the protection, promotion and fulfilment of minority rights; • Raise awareness of the importance of addressing marginalized minorities’ issues in development programming and provide guidance in applying the relevant normative frameworks in programme and project planning, design, implementation and evaluation; • Facilitate capacity development and identify strategies to strengthen partnerships with Government counterparts, the donor community and civil society organizations and NGOs. The primary audience for this resource is UNDP country office staff and those with policy responsibilities. However, it may also serve as a reference document for other United Nations agencies, Government counterparts and other partners. It is also intended to enable minority group(s) to understand conceptual issues and fundamental principles on the promotion and protection of minorities, and increase their opportunities for participation and representation in development processes. Contacts and further information UNDP is based in New York and has offices in most countries. The main entry point to UNDP for minority advocates is: United Nations Development Programme Democratic Governance Group/Bureau for Development Policy 304 East 45th Street New York, NY 10017 United States of America Fax: 1 212 906 6471 E-mail: dgg@undp.org Website: w  ww.undp.org/governance www.undp.org/countries Available from www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Minorities/UNDPMarginalisedMinorities.pdf (accessed 2 December 2012). 76