The past four years marked a time of growth in commitments and contributions to FAO’s Flexible Multi-Partner Mechanism (FMM), the main pooled funding instrument for flexible and less-earmarked voluntary resources in the Organization. In 2021, the FMM partnership base grew from nine to eleven resource partners. From its inception in 2010, the FMM has received over USD 142 million in flexible voluntary contributions and has improved the lives and livelihoods of farmers and rural community dwellers in over 70 countries across five regions. In 2021 the FMM received nearly USD 24.5 million, an all-time peak in annual contributions, which are critical to reaching those in need, when and where it matters the most. The funding volume is expected to be scaled up in the 2022–2025 phase. FMM Resource Partners are strong supporters and advocates of the United Nations Global Funding Impact.

A Glimpse at the FMM Resource Partners

Sweden
The Swedish Government is a founding and sustained contributor to the FMM, with cumulative contributions totaling over USD 51 million as of December 2021. Sweden has been a strong supporter and advocate for unearmarked and flexible funding in FAO. In its longstanding partnership with FAO, Sweden has invested into the implementation of key priority areas, which include but are not limited to sustainable agrifood systems (including food loss and waste), trade and markets, sustainable agriculture, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, rural livelihoods transformation, social inclusion, social protection, decent employment, gender and women’s empowerment, migration and fragility, sustainable resource use and management, restoration and conservation. Sweden has also been a major supporter of SDG measuring and the COVID-19 response and recovery.

The Netherlands
The Government of Netherlands is a founding contributor of the FMM. The Netherlands has contributed over USD 29 million, which has been instrumental in promoting cross-sectoral collaboration, as well as cost-effective interventions that have transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries over the years. The Netherlands funded several priority areas of FAO’s work through the FMM. These include zero hunger, building resilience against food shortages, stimulating inclusive and sustainable growth in the agricultural sector, climate change, food systems (especially food loss and waste), the COVID-19 response and recovery, and antimicrobial resistance.

Belgium
The Government of Belgium is one of the earliest and strongest supporters of flexible voluntary contributions, joining the FMM in 2013. Belgium has significantly committed to the expansion of this innovative funding modality, with contributions of over USD 25 million. The Government of Belgium has contributed to the expansion of FAO’s work on agrifood systems, sustainable agriculture, nutrition, rural transformation, social protection, climate change in agriculture, youth employment, gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Flanders
Flanders has been supporting the FMM for many years – first as one-off contributor in 2011, then through a multi-year contribution in 2019–21. Their contribution, totaling USD 4.8 million as of December 2021, has helped to achieve common objectives related to nutrition, agricultural development and food security. Flanders has been an important advocate of flexible voluntary contributions that increase the effectiveness of results in the field. Flanders’ contribution also aims to support climate actions in agriculture across Africa.

Norway
The Government of Norway has been instrumental in strengthening FAO’s efforts to bridge the divide between humanitarian and development objectives. In 2019, through the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), Norway reaffirmed its commitment to achieving sustainable development by joining the FMM. The Norwegian contribution to the FMM totals over USD 20 million and supports several areas of FAO’s work on sustainable food systems and climate change in agriculture. This includes critical support to address fall armyworm, climate-smart agriculture, small-scale fisheries, FAO’s Forest and Farm Facility, mainstreaming nutrition, and supporting Indigenous Peoples. This strategic partnership helps achieve even greater impact, more cost-effective results and innovative collaboration mechanisms.

New Zealand
New Zealand, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), joined the FMM in 2021, with a contribution of about USD 3.5 million. New Zealand’s contribution will support FAO’s work in Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean, in the context of FAO’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme. It will help build the resilience of rural communities and enhance economic inclusion and social protection for poverty reduction and food security in these regions.

Italy
The Government of Italy joined the FMM in 2019 and has since made annual contributions that amount to nearly USD 3.4 million in flexible funds. In particular, the Italian Government has been a crucial resource partner for supporting FAO’s work on addressing the agricultural data gap, the Hand-in-Hand initiative and the Global Network on Digital Innovation.

France
The Government of France is a longstanding FAO resource partner that supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2019, France made its first contribution to the FMM, which included over USD 1.2 million aimed at fostering women's empowerment, reducing inequalities and preserving food security in the context of climate change in Small Island Development States (SIDS).

Switzerland
The Government of Switzerland's broad collaboration with FAO, spanning sustainable food systems, governance of tenure, rural livelihoods, animal health and water management, demonstrates the extent and depth of the nation's commitment to achieving the SDGs. The Government of Switzerland joined the FMM in 2016 and has since contributed over USD 1.5 million, which focuses on supporting all of these areas, in addition to closing generational gaps, boosting youth employment and eradicating child labour.

Australia
Australia joined the FMM at the end of 2021 with USD 1 million contribution, which supports food security and nutrition, including One Health, predominantly in the Indo-Pacific region. Australia’s contribution is supporting FAO to provide technical support and strengthen capacity in the context of boosting resilience and ensuring sustainability. It will also help to improve smallholders’ access to markets and value chains.

Ireland
The Government of Ireland made a one-off contribution to FMM in 2020, amounting to about USD 450 000. This contribution is supporting two FMM Programmes that focus on generational gaps, gender and decent rural employment, as well as resilient and sustainable food systems.