Expert Insight
Published on February 25, 2020

The Joint SDG Fund - Transforming our world through partnerships


The Joint SDG Fund exists to close the loop between UN Country Teams, governments, private sector, and civil society to help stimulate collective action for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

At the Joint SDG Fund, we are aware that success relies on collaborative exchanges and knowledge sharing at all levels, and that reliable and inclusive partnerships are critical for long-term success. The Fund aims to forge paths and partnerships with governments, the academia, the private sector and civil society organizations to incentivize a scaled-up response to the SDGs at country level by promoting a government approach, by supporting collaboration amongst UN agencies and other development partners.

In the Republic of Congo, for example, the World Bank participates in the Steering Committee of the Fund’s joint programme, whose activities are aligned with the World Bank contribution to safety nets in the same locality. The lessons learned from the implementation of the joint programme will be rolled into the next phase of the World Bank Safety Net programme in the country. In Mongolia, FAO, ILO, UNFPA and UNICEF under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator of Mongolia, will deliver innovative solutions to extend social and health insurance to herders, and shock responsive social protection to strengthen the resilience of livestock livelihood. Joint partners, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women and the Government of Brazil are building early childhood interventions by investing in a Happy Child Programme to accelerate the achievement of SDGs in Brazil.

The implementation of the 36 joint programmes supported through the Fund’s call on social protection for leaving no one behind is led by 16 UN agencies, funds and programmes and two Regional Economic Commissions. The programmes are implemented through partnerships with 616 organizations, out of which 291 are national authorities and 192 civil society organizations. 41 private sector organization are involved across the 36 countries, and the joint programmes support 33 investments of International Financing Institutions. The World Bank acts as main partner in 17 countries. This focus on partnerships supports United Nations Resident Coordinators and Country Teams in the design and implementation of joint programmes that are context-specific and inclusive.

Learn more about the Fund’s efforts to transform our world together through partnerships.