Restricted Funding

To show clearly how support is used, UNICEF groups funding into three main categories: Core Resources (unrestricted), Thematic Funding (flexible, softly earmarked) and Restricted Funding (fully earmarked).

Restricted Funding, also referred to as Other Resources Non-Thematic, is targeted support from partners for specific countries, sectors or programmes. It can be used for long-term development and humanitarian response.  

Unlike flexible resources, which allow UNICEF the agility to respond wherever children’s needs are greatest, restricted contributions are earmarked for particular purposes agreed with the partner, such as education assistance in a country, or emergency relief in a crisis. 

This funding plays a role in scaling up proven solutions and meeting urgent needs. Restricted contributions help support: 

• Development contexts: Strengthening national priorities and accelerating progress in areas such as health, education and child protection.
• Humanitarian contexts: Enabling UNICEF to deliver life-saving assistance before, during and after emergencies – providing essentials including water, nutrition and protection when children need it most. 

In 2024, partners contributed more than US$6.6 billion in Restricted Funding. Top recipients were Afghanistan, the State of Palestine and Ukraine, where contributions supported urgent emergency responses. 

Through Restricted Funding, UNICEF and partners protect children worldwide, reaching even the most remote and challenging contexts. 

Together with flexible contributions, Restricted Funding ensures that no child is left behind.