UN MPTF for Catalytic Finance in Sanitation, Hygiene and Wastewater 

Objectives

Fund scope
The UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Catalytic Finance in Sanitation, Hygiene, and Wastewater aims to create an enabling environment where investments in sanitation, wastewater management, hygiene, and menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) are better incentivized and thrive. By engaging public and private sectors, MPTF stakeholders foster sustainable and interconnected services that benefit communities in need while creating economic opportunities, promoting inclusivity, and building circular, self-sustaining sanitation economies and menstrual health markets.

The focus  on accelerating financing and market-based solutions for SDG 6.2 provides a platform to drive catalytic finance for growing the sanitation economy, including wastewater treatment and resource recovery, as well as the menstrual health market. Partners leverage their capabilities to attract diverse implementing organizations and mobilize funds towards these goals.

The initiative integrates gender and climate-sensitive factors into decision-making. This includes promoting women’s leadership and employment, ensuring equitable access, and supporting activities that combat pollution, conserve biodiversity, and mitigate climate change. Circular economy solutions—such as upcycled sanitation products and biodegradable materials—are prioritized to reduce resource depletion and environmental impact.

Theory of change
The MPTF aims to achieve SDG 6.2 by 2030: Universal access to safely managed sanitation, hygiene, and MHH, while reducing untreated wastewater in low- and middle-income countries.

The strategy includes:

1. Strengthening market enablers

• Providing technical assistance to governments to address market barriers.
• Increasing public investment and improving data-driven decisions.
• Supporting international standards and regulatory reforms.
• Advancing innovation and national capacities through UN expertise.

2. Engaging private sector

• Assisting enterprises in developing scalable models.
• Implementing financing structures to enhance investment viability.
• Promoting innovative partnership and service models.
• Aligning business models with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

Outcomes and impact
Fund efforts will establish sanitation, wastewater, and MHH as national priorities that are supported by market-based solutions. Improved regulation, robust business models, and collaborative partnerships will catalyze investments and enhance ecosystem support. Over time, scalable and resilient solutions will emerge, boosting confidence amongst investors and stakeholders. Public-private partnerships will expand, fostering long-term sustainability aligned with ESG principles.

Ultimately, the work of Fund partners will contribute to achieving SDG 6.2 while supporting related SDGs: Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

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Governance

Overarching governance structure
Governance is a central pillar of UN Multi-Partner Trust Funds, ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective decision-making. The governance structure of the Sanitation, Hygiene, and Wastewater MPTF promotes coordination among entities, coherence in programmes, and enhanced impact of funded initiatives.

Steering Committee
The Steering Committee, the fund's central governing body, oversees strategic direction, resource allocation, and progress monitoring. It includes four seats for UNOPS, UNCDF and UNEP, with the MPTF Office serving as a non-voting ex-officio member to provide operational guidance. Membership may expand as the Fund grows.

Secretariat
The SHF Secretariat acts as the MPTF Secretariat, supporting the Steering Committee, Technical Committee, and Implementing Organizations. Responsibilities include advising on strategic priorities, managing programmatic and financial allocations, ensuring quality control of proposals, and handling administrative tasks for smooth functioning, reporting, and coordination.

Technical Committee
The Committee offers independent technical expertise and assesses project proposals. It comprises professionals experienced in catalytic finance and impact-driven activities.

Administrative Agent
The MPTF Office serves as the Administrative Agent, managing donor contributions, disbursing funds to implementing organizations, and consolidating financial and progress reports. It employs a pass-through modality, enabling multiple organizations to receive co-mingled donor funds while implementing projects using their own policies. This streamlines agreements, reduces duplication, and minimizes administrative overheads.

Projects

UN MPTF for Catalytic Finance in Sanitation, Hygiene and Wastewater

UN MPTF for Catalytic Finance in Sanitation, Hygiene and Wastewater is currently supporting count_projects ongoing projectscount_globalInterregional and count_countries country-specific. This table shows the most recently approved ongoing projects.

All project financial information can be found in the Financials section, including delivery analysis by organization, theme and project; project financial status by country and by theme.

UN MPTF for Catalytic Finance in Sanitation, Hygiene and Wastewater

Results

Fund efforts will establish sanitation, wastewater, and MHH as national priorities that are supported by market-based solutions. Improved regulation, robust business models, and collaborative partnerships will catalyze investments and enhance ecosystem support. Over time, scalable and resilient solutions will emerge, boosting confidence amongst investors and stakeholders. Public-private partnerships will expand, fostering long-term sustainability aligned with ESG principles.

Ultimately, the work of Fund partners will contribute to achieving SDG 6.2 while supporting related SDGs: Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

ContactsPoints of contact