A new generation of pooled funds is bridging the humanitarian-development-peace divide. These flexible financing instruments show that well-designed pooled funds can be manipulated to quickly pivot a situation, particularly when there are rapid changes in an operative context.

Funds combine, blend, and sequence development, peace, and humanitarian financial streams for crisis-affected countries. They also improve cost-efficiency, transparency, and collective outcomes by pooling resources and delivery systems—spreading risks that arise in highly volatile and unpredictable settings.

Humanitarian and development changemakers share a common vision:

Investing in prevention, mitigation, and preparedness for early action is the best way to decrease humanitarian setbacks and ensure that “no one is left behind.” This is one way implementing partners can scale up social protection measures, build resilience, and reduce vulnerability and risks across a broad spectrum of programmes.

Financing modalities that support collective outcomes and durable solutions also incentivize collaboration. The UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office works closely with partners on a new generation of pooled funds that facilitate the blending, sequencing, and cross-referral of development and humanitarian resources. Now that we have launched several funds under this umbrella, the MPTF Office plans on learning from the experience to innovate and better address challenges, achieve results, and capitalize on opportunities.