Thematic Funding
UNICEF relies on voluntary contributions to uphold our mission of reaching every child.
Thematic Funding consists of pooled funds softly earmarked by partners to support UNICEF’s strategic plan. Resource partners can decide to allocate thematic funds to health; HIV and AIDS; nutrition; education; child protection; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); safe and clean environments; social protection; gender equality or humanitarian action pools at the global, regional and country levels.
Thematic Funds reduce costs by pooling resources to streamline programme management activities – from planning to reporting. They are allocated on an as-needed basis to support long-term planning and programme sustainability.
In 2019, our resource partners generously contributed US$345 million in Thematic Funding. Our top three partners were the Governments of Norway (US$75 million) and Sweden (US$44 million), and the Germany National Committee (US$36 million). With their support, UNICEF was able to achieve stronger results for more children, including those who are hardest to reach.
Results for children
In 2019, Thematic Funding helped:
Thematic contributions by sector, 2019
Top 10 donors to thematic funding, 2019
| Rank | Resource partner | Total US$, millions |
| 1 | Norway | 75.3 |
| 2 | Sweden | 44.1 |
| 3 | Germany National Committee | 36.0 |
| 4 | Netherlands | 28.6 |
| 5 | Denmark | 22.2 |
| 6 | United States of America National Committee | 20.6 |
| 7 | United Kingdom National Committee | 13.5 |
| 8 | Norway National Committee | 10.5 |
| 9 | Japan National Committee | 9.0 |
| 10 | Republic of Korea National Committee | 8.8 |