Skip to main content

5 February 2025

MPTFO: the United Nations centre of expertise on pooled funding mechanisms

For over 20 years, the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO) has been at the forefront of driving joint humanitarian and development efforts across more than 130 countries. Through its innovative pooled fund mechanisms, the MPTFO addresses critical global challenges in areas such as humanitarian aid, peace, security, sustainable development, and climate action. In this blog, we tell you more about a key partner that supports PAGE in its daily operations: the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office. PAGE has spoken with MPTFO insiders to understand the ins and outs of this unique UN office.

 

“Since 2004 the MPTFO has served as the UN’s centre of expertise on pooled funding instruments, designing and managing pooled funds to tackle humanitarian, peace, security, sustainable development, and climate challenges” says Rod Mamudi, the Office’s Communications and Partnerships Specialist. As the only UN Office dedicated to on system-wide pooled finance, it offers comprehensive services including fund management and data collection.  “Our work has enabled the establishment and management of over 200 trust funds to date, for which we have received close to USD 20 billion, in support of more than 50 UN Organizations to deliver programmes aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.” says Assia Sidibe, Senior Portfolio Manager.

 

Flags at the UN quarters in NY

PAGE aims to integrate green economy principles into national policies and macroeconomic planning, and the role of the MPTFO is vital in this process. In the case of PAGE, the MPTF mechanism enhances programme integration and cost efficiency.

The PAGE programme serves as a prime example of the advantages of this model. Assia indicates that the last evaluation of PAGE conducted by the UNEP Evaluation Office in January 2023 highlighted how the introduction of the MPTF generated striking efficiency gains for PAGE: eliminating the use of UN-to-UN agreements for financial management,d simplifying project-support costs under an agreed arrangement between all five agencies, and reducing standard fund transfers timelines to only five working days.

The MPTFO played a crucial role in PAGE by establishing a cohesive financial and governance framework, enabling the five UN agencies involved in PAGE to collaborate effectively. “The MPTF mechanism enables programme integration and cost efficiency, under one governing mechanism: the fund’s Steering Committee” says Assia.

Looking ahead, the MPTFO is continuing to prioritize innovation to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations. Recent initiatives include a digital ‘Fund Transfer Request’ module for easier fund transfers, a standardized Fund Management Platform for managing project processes like PAGE, and a standard modality for Non-UN Organizations (NUNOs) to access MPTFs: “The Office is also introducing a Fund Management Platform allowing MPTFs such as PAGE to manage the full project-process cycle in one online space, and to link it to Fund Transfer Requests”, adds Assia. Additionally, the Office has formed new agreements with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to enhance collaboration between UN entities and MDBs.

New efforts also extend to communicating the results of pooled funds. “The MPTFO has recently set up a group for communications focal points from different funds, so colleagues can share experiences and best practices with each other” notes Biki Vasic, a Communications Associate at the Office. “And it gives funds the chance to let us know how we can support them better, whether amplifying their message on social media, or cross-posting content through the MPTFO Gateway, the newsletter, and other channels”.

For more information about the MPTFO and its funds and impacts, check out the MPTF website.

mtpfo logo
Share MPTFO: the United Nations centre of expertise on pooled funding mechanisms
Scroll to top