Through the Millennium Development Goals, the world is addressing the many dimensions of human development, including the halving by 2015 of the proportion of people living in extreme poverty. Developing countries are working to create their own national poverty eradication strategies based on local needs and priorities. UNDP advocates for these nationally-owned solutions and helps ensure their effectiveness. UNDP promotes the concept of human poverty as a complement to income poverty, emphasizing that equity, social inclusion, women's empowerment, and respect for human rights matter for poverty reduction.

UNDP programmes in Croatia target specific needs such as: development of Areas of Special State Concern and reducing interregional differences, support to social policies that target vulnerable social groups in risk of social inclusion and poverty. This is being implemented through the following programmes:

Local Development Programme (LIFE)
The LIFE Programme aims at reducing the differences between developed and underdeveloped areas in Croatia, by providing assistance to vulnerable groups, strengthening local authorities and helping the rehabilitation and development of the war affectedd Areas of Special State Concern.

Social Inclusion Programme (SOS)
The SOS Programme provides support to social groups and individuals who are at risk of social exclusion and poverty from different spheres: health, education, income, labour market, civic participation, while advocating policiy approaches leading to inclusion.