Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund 

ObjectivesFund scope

As Malaysia recovers from the pandemic and addresses development deficits aggravated by subsequent intersecting crises, the government and UN remain committed to achieving the SDGs by accelerating efforts and delivering on the pledge to leave no one behind. The Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund is a breakthrough initiative of MySDG Foundation and the UNCT, established in 2022. It is an innovative mechanism that complements efforts of the government and other partners at the local level, through projects that target vulnerable groups at risk of being left behind–including the poor and vulnerable, people with disabilities, older persons, migrants, and refugees. Projects to empower youth and women facing intersecting challenges are highly encouraged.

An agile multi-year mechanism, the fund is designed to respond to new and evolving priorities. It is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Malaysia and complements UNCT policy support to the government and programmatic activities aimed at advancing SDG implementation and achieving national targets by 2030. Fund stakeholders adopt a whole-of-society approach and encourage partnerships amongst a range of partners. Solution-oriented interventions, spanning all 17 SDGs, are expected to create equitable and inclusive pathways for sustainable development. Built on the premise that local action delivers long-lasting impact, fund aims are to improve lives and livelihoods throughout Malaysia, contributing to SDG progress at district, state and national levels.  

Fund financing is used to support projects implemented by UN members of the Malaysia UNCT as well as eligible CSOs/NGOs. Providing incentives for partnerships, collaboration across sectors and joint implementation and results, main objectives include:

• Mobilizing resources for SDG delivery in Malaysia and leverage SDG financing opportunities.
• Strengthening partnerships for the SDGs and advancing a multi-stakeholder approach to maximize collaboration, and impact.
• Addressing SDG priorities with a focus on leaving no one behind.  

Theory of change

Supported projects aim to achieve the SDGs in Malaysia, specifically by addressing the needs of left behind groups. Evidence has shown that slowing national SDG performance is, in part, caused by disparities suffered by marginal and excluded groups. As such, the fund is designed to complement official efforts by addressing the needs of hard-to-reach groups and communities, where access has been difficult and mainstream public provision had limited impact.  

Official and independent assessments of SDG performance in Malaysia informed the Guiding Framework for the Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund, including the 2021 Voluntary National Review, data from the National SDG Tracker and analyses based on UN global SDG dataset. These have informed the Funds’ 12 priorities that fall under “the 5Ps” of the 2030 Agenda (people and prosperity, planet, peace, and partnerships).

A people-centered approach has been hard-wired within the Fund with project selection and delivery, advocacy, and mobilization focused on improving lives, securing inclusion, building resilience, promoting a sustainable environment, and enhancing community cohesion. Fund action supports 'leave no one behind' priorities by leveraging the core capacities of the United Nations and civil society organizations, and via twin channels of direct delivery, and catalytic effects.    

GovernanceGovernance structure

Steering Committee  

The SC provides overall oversight, strategic direction and management to the Fund and serves as its decision-making body. General responsibilities include endorsing policy guidance for the development of calls for proposals, guidelines and selection criteria; approving project templates, results frameworks and other related documents; reviewing project proposal portfolio; approving the allocation and disbursement of funds; endorsing Fund monitoring framework and tools and reviewing final consolidated reports. 

Secretariat  

Housed within the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the Secretariat supports the Steering Committee in delivering its functions. It coordinates substantive, operational and logistical matters related to the management of the Fund. Its responsibilities also include gathering evidence and undertaking data analysis, preparing policy guidance notes proposal/document templates, reviewing project proposals, ensuring timely and quality programme coordination and cycle management.   

Participating Organizations  

Participating United Nations Organizations (PUNOs) and non-UN Organizations (NUNOs) are responsible for developing proposals and implementing projects as per fund guidelines. They prepare and submit narrative and financial reports to the Steering Committee through the Secretariat and Administrative Agent as required.   

Administrative Agent

Recipient Organizations receive funds through the Administrative Agent, the MPTF Office. The Administrative Agent is responsible for the receipt, administration and management of contributions from donors, disbursement of funds to Recipient Organizations, and consolidation and dissemination of progress reports to donors.

Projects

Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund

Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund 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.

Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund

Results

Results are sought through innovative and inclusive actions across 12 priorities in each of the five 'Ps' of the 2030 Agenda; areas to achieve the SDGs in Malaysia that are in line with national priorities.

ContactsPoints of contact