The analysis, identification and formalization of partnerships in the framework of CPAPs provide excellent opportunities to promote greater collaboration between local government units and minorities, as well as with other stakeholders, such as the private sector, through the promotion of cross-sector partnerships and the establishment of multi-stakeholder dialogue mechanisms. The existing capacity of minorities could be utilized. This could help to ensure that development projects meet local needs. Many minority CSOs are working in UNDP practice areas, taking the lead in providing HIV care and education or providing access to information and communication technologies (ICT) for communities. Minorities and minority organizations may become stronger development actors if they are involved to a greater extent in UNDP and government work. Box 21. UNV’s engagement in empowering the vulnerable communities of Albania United Nations Volunteers (UNV) play an active role in facilitating the recognition and integration of minorities into mainstream society through legitimizing their social status and cooperating with concerned stakeholders to raise awareness on equal opportunity rights. UNV activities with regard to minorities in Albania demonstrate how volunteerism has promoted recognition and integration of minorities. UNV plays a key role in facilitating the recognition and integration of minorities into mainstream society through legitimizing their social status (birth certificates, personal identification cards, documents, etc.) needed to access social and Promoting civic engagement and volunteerism among minorities can be a strategic way to partner while strengthening democratic governance and development effectiveness. UNDP has experience in working with a wide range of CSOs while strengthening networks, encouraging policy dialogue and capacity building. In Sri Lanka, UNDP implemented a small grants programme to partner with civil society partners in crisis response and recovery following the Ceasefire Agreement and the 2004 tsunami. UNDP used an innovative and comprehensive approach to set up a grants scheme to support national CSOs and provided sub-grants to community based organizations. Part of the programme was focused on civil society capacity development and civil society advisory committees were established at the local and national levels.41 economic assistance, health care, education, employment opportunities and political representation) and cooperating with concerned stakeholders to raise awareness on equal opportunity rights. Moreover, UNVs are instrumental in mobilizing local minority communities via community-based organizations (CBOs) and volunteer-involving organizations, building on local community dynamics and social mechanisms. UNV volunteers involve community volunteers by using a participatory process that identifies and implements local development initiatives to enhance their living conditions (i.e., infrastructure projects) and build local capacity. UNV interventions at the local level will build trusting relationships between government and minority citizens as well as foster a constructive dialogue between the communities, government and civil society stakeholders. See the report: Civil Society and UNDP in Sri Lanka: Partnerships in Crisis Situations (2007) http://www.undp.org/partners/cso/publications/ Civil_Society_and_UNDP_in_Sri_Lanka_partnerships_in_crisis_situations.pdf (accessed 9 August 2009). 41 102 M A R G I N A L I S E D M I N O R I T I E S I N D E V E LO P M E N T P R O G R A M M I N g