UNOPS supports local economic development and improved access to social services across all environments, however for the sake of clarity Goal Three operational reporting will focus on projects based in low- and middle-income countries that are not considered post-crisis.
UNOPS contributes to partners’ efforts in these countries to eradicate extreme poverty, achieve universal primary education, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health and combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
Priorities include boosting income generation, improving physical infrastructure, such as rural access roads, schools, clinics and local government buildings, and supporting the procurement of vital goods.
Improving healthcare
UNOPS provides comprehensive support to health systems, including the procurement of drugs and medical equipment, construction of health infrastructure, management of health funds, and capacity development to health sector partners. 
As the Local Fund Agent for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) in 13 countries, UNOPS administers programme funds, ensuring that disbursements reach intended beneficiaries and providing ongoing analysis of financial and project results.
UNOPS also procures a vast range of medical goods for partners, from high-tech hospital equipment, to ambulances, to drugs. For example in 2009 UNOPS procured over 238 million doses of drugs around the world.
UNOPS also built or rehabilitated over 30 hospitals and health centres in low- and middle-income countries in 2009, including the award-winning ‘Instituto Nacional Cardiovascular’ (INCOR) hospital in Peru.
Other infrastructure
Projects such as rehabilitating roads and building major transport areas help to boost local economies. For example, in 2009 UNOPS helped construct or rehabilitate over 450 kilometres of roads across 80 villages in Peru. Working with UNDP, UNOPS was a strategic partner of the Ministry of Housing of Peru in the development and execution of the programme.
In Sri Lanka UNOPS managed the rebuilding of two fishing harbours in a project funded by the Government of Greece, benefiting about 10,000 fishermen and their families. The project also has significant environmental benefits.
Income generation
UNOPS aims to boost local economies by helping develop and implement rural development schemes in low-and middle-income countries.
For example, under a plan developed in Kenya, local companies were trained to save money through energy efficiency. This project was implemented in partnership with UNDP and UNEP, and also sought to combat climate change by reducing CO₂ emissions.
In Central America small-scale farmers are being helped to access new markets with support from a new fund which is being implemented by the Regional Unit for Technical Assistance and managed by UNOPS.
Access to social services and rule of law
UNOPS works with partners to increase access to social services, justice and security.
In 2009 in Peru, uniforms were procured for more than 92,000 police officers as part of a government-funded project. The procurement of the uniforms has been conducted within the framework of the Management Services Agreement signed between the Peruvian Ministry of the Interior and UNDP.
In Argentina UNOPS helped increase access to social services by supporting the Ministry of the Interior in its roll-out of a new type of identity card, procuring all the goods necessary to produce over 10 million cards.