United Nations Capital Development Fund

Through the Joint SDG Fund, the UN is supporting governments in connecting skills to employment, social protection and inclusive growth, ensuring that youth can translate their abilities to real opportunities.

With funding from the Joint SDG Fund and the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, a UN programme is supporting local businesses in Milne Bay Province to strengthen their fisheries, expand eco-tourism and protect marine ecosystems.

Amid obstacles in the global financial architecture, UN teams are supporting Small Island Developing States to broker deals, build the case for investment and move from isolated projects to scalable solutions, driving both national and regional impacts.

As many micro-entrepreneurs in Uganda lack the required data for financial lenders, the UN is working with local and private sector partners to support them in digitising their operations, building business skills and becoming visible to financial service providers.

By allocating funds directly through the budgets of local governments, the UN is supporting communities in Bangladesh to access water and adapt to climate change while also ensuring women are instrumental in driving results.

The UN is supporting Nigerian farmers in sourcing key ingredients with specialised processing equipment that has the potential to boost incomes while also reducing child malnutrition treatment costs across West Africa.

The Blue Peace Financing Initiative invests in solar-powered water kiosks and public toilets across Freetown with support from the UN and partners, providing a scalable model for inclusive, sustainable urban development and innovative financing.

The stakes are clear: digital transformation can either widen divides or bridge them. Through its work with UN agencies and the Resident Coordinators, the Joint SDG Fund has been investing in digital transformation across the world, shaping interlinked policies and channeling investments to country-led initiatives.

On the sidelines of the 2025 Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake, Resident Coordinators are driving global progress on food system transformation; leading efforts in countries like Ethiopia, Guyana, Indonesia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Togo, and the Central Sahel.

Papua New Guinea is set to present its Voluntary National Review (VNR), offering invaluable insights into national action for ocean health.

In Zimbabwe, the Resident Coordinator is spearheading a bold experiment in development finance, leveraging private sector partnerships to unlock investment in clean energy.

Kenya is quickly emerging as one of Africa’s digital frontrunners, with technology driving innovation, service delivery, and economic growth across the country. The Joint SDG Fund sat down with Stephen Jackson, UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, to explore how the UN is working with the Government of Kenya and partners to foster an inclusive, resilient digital ecosystem through initiatives like DigiKen.

A collective of United Nations agencies and global partners today launched the co-design process for One Ocean Finance —a bold new effort to unlock billions in new financing from ocean-dependent industries and blue economy sectors.

Maria Adams, a fashion entrepreneur in Accra, Ghana, faces challenges common to many women led MSMEs such as limited digital skills, funding, and market access. A new UN-backed programme aims to change that by empowering 25,000 such businesses with digital tools and financial support.

Social justice in action means dismantling systemic barriers, equipping workers with future-ready skills, and ensuring every voice – especially women, youth, and marginalized communities – is heard in the global economy. UN Country Teams, led by Resident Coordinators, have been at the forefront of championing social justice as a fundamental pillar for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).