UNICEF public partnerships
Uniting with the public sector to achieve results for every child.
Across more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF does whatever it takes to help children and adolescents survive, thrive and fulfil their potential. But we can’t do it alone.
Public partners are essential to bring life-saving support to children and their families. Our public partners include governments, United Nations (UN) agencies, international financial institutions and other multilateral organizations, especially through Global Programme Partnerships. Together, we advocate for and with children, help countries set agendas that prioritize their rights, and mobilize resources to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals and UNICEF’s strategic plan.
Because UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions, we rely on the commitment of our partners – especially in the public sector. In 2021, public sector partners contributed US$5.92 billion to UNICEF’s US$8.1 billion total income.1
Results
Transparency and innovation strengthen our partnerships, and our impact. For decades, our public sector partners have helped us reach children with health care; nutrition; education; protection; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); and more ─ including during emergencies. Learn how we get results.
Top public sector donors by contributions received,2 2021
| Rank | Resource partner | Total US$, millions |
| 1 | United States of America | 884 |
| 2 | Germany | 868 |
| 3 | European Union | 585 |
| 4 | World Bank Group | 451 |
| 5 | Japan | 328 |
| 6 | Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance | 259 |
| 7 | United Kingdom | 257 |
| 8 | Sweden | 252 |
| 9 | Norway | 224 |
| 10 | Canada | 181 |
UNICEF’s public sector partners
Government partners
UNICEF partners with governments in more than 190 countries and territories to address policy and budget gaps so that children can grow up protected, healthy and educated. Our government partners provide vital Core Resources for Results and emergency funds for humanitarian response, while working with us to sharpen their focus on children’s rights – the core of many development agendas and budgets.
Together, we create innovative programmes and improve the efficiency of our joint operations. UNICEF unites with governments in various international fora, including the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and regional entities like the African Union and European Union.
The three largest government contributors to UNICEF remain the United States of America, Germany and the European Union.
Multilateral partners
UNICEF engages in Global Programme Partnerships (GPPs) and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to achieve stronger, more equitable results for children.
Global Programme Partnerships are voluntary collaborations for the advancement of global goals. These partnerships focus on various regions of the world and unite public and non-public stakeholders, including donors, governments in countries where programmes are implemented, non-governmental and civil society organizations, and UN agencies. As of 2017, UNICEF was a member of 101 GPPs, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Global Partnership for Education; the Global Fund; and the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children. UNICEF also plays a key role in shaping and co-managing GPPs. We use our convening power and far-reaching country presence to contribute operational and technical capacities. What’s more, GPPs allow UNICEF to advance our advocacy efforts and resource mobilization goals.
Increasingly, UNICEF is partnering with International Financial Institutions, including the World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund, and Regional Development Banks, to help countries pursue a resilient and inclusive pandemic recovery and achieve the SDGs. IFIs are not donors, but critical partners that provide large-scale financing to governments in support of development activities. Together, UNICEF works with IFIs to champion results for children, including by helping to mainstream child-sensitive planning, budgeting and programming. By providing governments at the national and municipal levels with sectoral technical advice, UNICEF can leverage and influence IFI investments in areas critical for child well-being.
In certain cases, such as in fragile and conflict-affected settings, UNICEF may be selected by the government and/or IFI as an implementing partner for an IFI-financed programme. In 2021, the leading GPP and IFI partners to UNICEF were Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance and the World Bank Group.
United Nations partners
UNICEF works with other organizations in the UN system to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the UN’s development operations and support countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. To help shape a United Nations that responds to our changing world, UNICEF works especially closely with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).
Through joint programmes and funding arrangements, we harness our complementary strengths to advance progress in poverty reduction, climate change, adolescent and maternal health, and gender equality.
1Figures are based on "income," which here represents contributions received from the public sector (see footnote 2) and revenue from the private sector. Revenue is recognized in full, including for multi-year contributions, at the time the agreement is signed with the partner.
2Contributions are received in cash and in kind.
