UNDESA Integrated National Financing Framework Workshop

As part of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) Financing for SIDS (FINS) initiative, the recently concluded Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) Training Workshop, held at the Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa from 4-7 February 2025, achieved its goal of empowering government officials with the tools needed to align Seychelles’ financing strategies with the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2024-2028. 

Through comprehensive sessions and dynamic group activities, participants from Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade (MFNPT), developed an actionable plan to address the country’s financing needs under the INFF to achieve the NDS.

Workshop Objectives and Achievements
The workshop was designed to provide a deep understanding of the INFF’s four core components:
 

1. Assessment & Diagnostics: Examining Seychelles’ financing needs, evaluating the existing financing landscape, and identifying risks and policy constraints.
2. Financing Strategy: Crafting actionable steps to mobilize and align public and private financing in support of national priorities.
3. Monitoring & Evaluation: Implementing systems to track financing flows and assess the effectiveness of current policies.
4. Governance & Coordination: Strengthening frameworks to ensure cross-sector collaboration and effective policy implementation.
    

Participants engaged in detailed presentations and practical sessions, including a focused module on SDG Budget Tagging, where experts demonstrated how to utilize data visualization tools and interactive dashboards to monitor progress toward sustainable development goals.
 

In-Depth Workshop Content and Group Activities
A significant highlight of the workshop was the series of collaborative group activities that encouraged peer-to-peer learning and in-depth analysis of Seychelles’ financing challenges:

• Interactive Table Discussions: Participants were divided into small groups, with each table assigned a specific aspect of the INFF, such as financing needs, sources of finance, risk assessment, and binding constraints. These sessions facilitated robust discussions, leading to the identification of key gaps and actionable recommendations.
• Group Activity Modules: Several sessions involved structured exercises where participants mapped out current financing practices and proposed innovative policy options. The activities were designed to simulate real-world scenarios, enabling attendees to apply theoretical knowledge to practical challenges.
• Hands-On SDG Budget Tagging Session: This module provided participants with a detailed walkthrough of compiling data files, matching budget lines to multiple SDG targets, and using PowerBi for data transformation and visualization. The hands-on approach ensured that all participants left with practical skills they could immediately apply.
• Collaborative Action Plan Development: Finally, participants, guided by facilitators, synthesized insights from all activities into a comprehensive action plan. This blueprint outlines the steps for applying the INFF approach to support the achievement of Seychelles’ NDS. UNDESA, through an embedded FINS Advisor, will support the MFNPT on the implementation of the Action Plan.
   

Participant Insights
Interviews and feedback from the workshop highlight that the training has built a solid foundation for future capacity-building initiatives, ensuring that the INFF framework will drive sustainable financing strategies well into the future.
 

For more information, please contact: desa-fins@un.org