Flexible funds

Flexible funds

For a strong, agile, independent WHO

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What is flexible funding?

Flexible funds are those that WHO can use and allocate as needed within its approved programme budgets. Flexible funding allows WHO to keep pace with the ever-changing demands of global health and achieve what the world expects of it.

WHO receives different types of flexible funding: fully flexible funding sources include Member States’ dues – known as assessed contributions – and contributions to the Core Voluntary Contributions Account (CVCA). WHO also receives thematic contributions, which provide a relatively high degree of flexibility (aligned with work for each billion in the Thirteenth General Programme of Work – GPW 13).


WHO is very grateful to all donors, and gives special thanks to those who have provided flexible contributions. 

 

NOTE: The amounts represent the revenue received by WHO for the period stated. Figures in the Budget Portal may vary, as they represent funds available net of programme support costs

Visit the Budget Portal for the latest on voluntary contributions and more.

Core voluntary contributions
  
Voluntary contributions - Thematic

View stories and reports from the ground from the Results Report 2020-2021, none of which would have been possible without flexible funds:

Results Report 2020-2021
  


"Quality of funding to WHO is essential. When the money is earmarked, we cannot use it for our priorities. It comes with strings attached, and this challenges our independence."

- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, 17 December 2020


 

 

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WHO needs flexible and sustainable financing

Sustainable financing – that is, funding that is sufficient, flexible and predictable – is essential for WHO to fulfil its role and mandate. Only with sustainable financing can WHO secure and retain talent and expertise and remain free from undue influence on its work. A strong, independent WHO is needed to protect the world from disease and other threats, and work towards health for all. 

Member States’ commitments to sustainable financing for WHO

Between early 2021 and April 2022, Member States formed the WHO Sustainable Financing Working Group to find long-term solutions for the financing of WHO.

The recommendations of the Working Group, presented to the Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly, seek agreement to fully fund the core budget of WHO with flexible funds, including through a regular increase of assessed contributions, which will rise  gradually, starting in 2024, with a view to cover 50% of the base budget agreed on for 2022-2023 before 2030-2031, and by 2028-2029 if possible.

The Working Group also recommends initiatives to strengthen governance, transparency, accountability, efficiency and compliance, and requests that the WHO Secretariat work with an agile Member State task group to build on budgetary oversight and accountability initiatives.