While earmarked funds often reflect the priorities of the funding partner, core and flexible funds allow UNEP to choose how to allocate its finances to achieve its strategy and most effectively respond to the triple planetary crisis, targeting areas where funding is needed most.
Core and flexible funds support UNEP in addressing the root causes of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges rather than their symptoms. They also reduce the time and effort spent on programme support by simplifying administrative procedures and reporting requirements.
UNEP’s main mechanisms to receive flexible funding are the core fund, the Environment Fund, and the three UNEP Planetary Funds, which are softly earmarked for UNEP’s work on climate change, nature and biodiversity, and pollution and waste.
The Environment Fund is open to contributions from Member States, while the UNEP Planetary Funds are open to contributions from all manner of partners and donors.
