UN inter-organizational arrangements
UNICEF relies on voluntary contributions to uphold our mission of reaching every child.
UNICEF partners closely with other United Nations (UN) entities to help children survive, thrive and fulfil their potential. Together, we coordinate programming and integrate operations to collectively achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
In 2021, 87 per cent of UNICEF offices across regions delivered programmes in partnership with UN sister agencies, using various UN inter-organizational arrangements. This marks a 13 per cent increase against UNICEF’s 2021 Strategic Plan target. Thematic areas delivered through such arrangements prioritize cross-cutting areas as well as UNCEF’s Strategic Plan goal areas.
UN inter-organizational arrangements are the third-largest funding stream to UNICEF, after traditional government partners. In 2021, UNICEF received US$481 million for development and humanitarian programming from Governments, UN agencies, global funds and the World Bank. UNICEF also served as a 2021 Administrative Agent, managing funds worth US$120 million on behalf of 13 Government donors to deliver programmes jointly.
UN inter-organizational arrangements through which UNICEF delivers programmes include:
- Joint Programmes: Joint Programmes, anchored in the UNSDCF, target delivery of specific thematic areas with the participation of two to three UN agencies guided by a common theory of change, workplan and budget.
- Pooled Funds: Pooled Funds, set up either at the country or global level, come with a contribution of multiple donors co-mingled, earmarked or lightly earmarked to finance joint UN interventions. These include agency-specific Thematic Pooled Funds, Multi-Partner Trust Funds (MPTF), Central Response Emergency Funds (CERF), and Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF).
- UN-to-UN transfers: UN-to-UN transfers are more transactional, facilitating the use of other UN agency expertise.
In 2021, UNICEF concluded an assessment on joint UN interventions with the objective of maximizing the benefits derived from the various UN inter-organizational arrangements for programmes, partnerships and resource mobilization. The assessment involved a consultative approach with donors, UN agencies, UN Resident Coordinator Offices, the UN Development Cooperation Office, and all UNICEF offices.
Contributions received through UN inter-organizational arrangements,1 2017–2021
Results for children
1Contributions received in cash and in kind.