Public Finance for Children
A Global Compendium of UNICEF Actions to Accelerate Investments in Children
Highlights
Public Finance for Children: A Global Compendium of UNICEF Actions to Accelerate Investments in Children presents 57 selected case studies illustrating UNICEF’s work with governments and partners between 2020 and 2026 across all regions, income groups, and fragile and humanitarian settings.
Anchored in Article 4 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and General Comment No. 19, the Compendium shows how advocacy, evidence, technical assistance and capacity building strengthen public finance systems to advance children’s rights. It examines adequacy, efficiency, effectiveness, equity, transparency and accountability in financing services for children.
The cases highlight how UNICEF supports governments’ efforts to mobilize and leverage public, private and external resources to increase social spending for children at national and subnational levels. They illustrate engagement with ministries of finance, international financial institutions (IFIs) and other partners to inform fiscal policy and public financial management (PFM) reforms.
Aligned with the UNICEF Strategic Plan, 2026–2029, the Compendium offers practical lessons to inform policy dialogue, strengthen partnerships and support implementation of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) outcomes, placing children’s rights at the centre of financing decisions.
Explore the Compendium’s 57 case studies through the Compendium Interactive Dashboard
