Exploring Funding Opportunities for South-South and Triangular Cooperation

As South-South cooperation continues to expand, opportunities to deepen collaboration in impactful ways—across both financial and non-financial dimensions—are increasing. Member States, United Nations agencies, and other stakeholders administer a range of funds and grants designed to support governments, UN partners, and other actors in piloting South-South initiatives worldwide. This page provides an overview of selected financing mechanisms, which serve as critical links between development financing and innovative projects capable of generating significant multiplier effects. 

1. Pérez-Guerrero Trust Fund for South-South Cooperation (PGTF)   

The PGTF was established in 1983 to support activities in economic and technical cooperation among developing-country members of the Group of 77 (G77). Managed by United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) on behalf of the G77, the PGTF brings together governmental organizations, academic institutions, research centers, and local communities of developing countries to advance South-South Cooperation. Their collaboration drives capacity development, fosters scientific research, facilitates knowledge exchange, promotes technological solutions, enhances livelihoods, and delivers a wide range of impactful outcomes. Click here for more information. 

 2. India-UN Development Partnership Fund (India-UN Fund) 

Established in 2017, the India-UN Fund is supported and led by the Government of India and implemented in collaboration with the United Nations system and partnering governments. The Fund supports Southern-owned and -led, demand-driven and transformational sustainable development projects across the developing world, with a focus on least developed countries and small island developing States. With a commitment of $150 million over 10 years from the Government of India, the India-UN Fund supports brings partners together to address shared challenges and unlock new opportunities for progress. Click here for more information. 

3. India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA Fund)  

The IBSA Fund, jointly established by India, Brazil, and South Africa in 2004, aims to identify replicable and scalable projects that can be shared with interested developing countries as examples of good practices in the fight against poverty and hunger. Projects supported by the IBSA Fund are concrete expressions of solidarity for the benefit of the most vulnerable and marginalized people, with the objectives of promoting food security, addressing HIV/AIDS, extending access to safe drinking water, and promoting quality education and gender equality, all with the aim of contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Click here for more information. 

4. United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund (UNPDF) 

The UNDPF was established in 2016 with a pledge of USD 200 million from the Government of China over a ten-year period, with the aim of advancing the objectives of the United Nations Charter through innovative projects. In 2024, the Fund was extended through 2030, with an annual contribution of USD 20 million, to continue supporting the implementation of projects related to peace and development. UNPDF has two sub-Funds. The Secretary-General's Peace and Security Sub-Fund, is aimed at financing projects and activities that support world peace and security. And the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Sub-Fund, is intended to finance activities in support of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Click here for more information.