The call for proposals has two tracks – pathfinder and thematic – and will support up to 20 UN-World Bank joint programmes.
Geneva- As part of the ongoing collaboration between the United Nations and World Bank on jobs and social protection, the second round of the Multistakeholder Engagement (M-GA) funding was launched on 8 May with USD 19.1 million available for up to 20 grants. The Multistakeholder Engagement to Implement the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions and the World Bank Social Protection and Jobs Compass (M-GA) is a partnership to accelerate progress to achieve universal social protection and create decent and productive employment. Since the first funding round in 2024, the initiative has driven strategic national investments in social protection and employment systems in nine countries.
This round has two tracks:
Track 1 – The Pathfinder Track, open to the Global Accelerator’s 18 pathfinder countries, aims to support the development or implementation of the initiative’s national roadmaps through joint UN–World Bank country proposals. Countries that have not previously received M-GA funding can access up to USD 1.325 million through joint proposals, while those that have accessed past M-GA funding may receive up to USD 775,000 for a successful joint proposal.
Track 2 – The Thematic Track is open to a set of pathfinder and non-pathfinder countries prioritizing the development and implementation of integrated employment and social protection policies and programmes. The focus areas include (a) the transition from dependency on humanitarian interventions to country-led implementation and coordinated social protection and employment in fragility, conflict-affected and forced displacement contexts; (b) the transition to climate-resilient, greener, more sustainable economies and societies; and (c) programs and policies that increase access to social protection, promote decent and productive employment and enhance the productivity and earnings of women and men in the informal economy, as well as support the formalization of enterprises. Successful joint proposals may receive up to USD 910,000.
All proposals must reflect the M-GA’s objectives: to foster increased collaboration and collective action by development partners, under national leadership in funding actions that support the extension of social protection and contribute to creating decent jobs and employment in sustainable, future-oriented sectors. The proposals must be co-developed by UN and World Bank country teams and only submitted under one track. Successful proposals under both tracks will receive grants for up to 24 months for implementation.
The funding round is made possible by contributions from Germany, Ireland and Spain through the UN Joint SDG Fund (UN JSDGF) and the World Bank’s Social Protection Response Umbrella Trust Fund (SPR UTF).