The Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF) has secured US$1 billion in new funding commitments to accelerate progress towards ending preventable maternal and child deaths, strengthening healthcare systems and expanding access to essential health services.
Announced on 5 November 2026, the funding marks the successful completion of the GFF’s 2026 investment round. Contributions have come from governments, philanthropic organisations and private sector partners, reflecting continued international investment in maternal, child and adolescent health.
The new commitments will support countries in improving access to essential medicines and health products, strengthening healthcare delivery and expanding proven interventions that make childbirth safer for mothers and newborns. Funding will also support services addressing the health and nutritional needs of women, children and adolescents.
Recent contributions include US$40 million from Japan, an additional €84.5 million from the Netherlands between 2027 and 2030,€10 million from Germany and US$45 million from an anonymous foundation.
The Netherlands’ additional commitment is on top of its existing annual core contribution of €23.9 million. Germany’s funding will support the GFF’s sustainable commodities access programme, while Japan’s pledge forms part of the first year of its new five-year strategy.
The GFF, established in 2015 and hosted by the World Bank Group, works with low- and middle-income countries to strengthen health systems through grant financing, technical assistance and coordinated investment. Its model places national governments at the centre of planning and implementation, bringing together international development partners, health organisations and private funders.
New data released alongside the funding announcement highlights progress in countries supported by the partnership. Maternal mortality in GFF partner countries fell by 26 per cent between 2015 and 2023, compared with a 14 per cent decline globally. Under-five mortality decreased by 24 per cent between 2015 and 2024, against a global reduction of 13 per cent.
Since 2015, GFF partner countries have also committed US$11.9 billion in World Bank Group financing towards women’s and children’s health priorities. Allocations to interventions identified as having the greatest impact on women, children and adolescents have increased by 46 per cent.
Mamta Murthi, World Bank Group Vice President for People, said: “Reaching US$1 billion in grant financing reflects the trust our investors place in the GFF, and the health results partner countries are achieving for women, children, and adolescents.”
She added that investment in the GFF would help unlock further World Bank Group financing towards ending preventable deaths and contribute to the institution’s goal of reaching 1.5 billion people with quality, affordable health services by 2030.
The funding will support the GFF’s TRANSFORM 2030 strategy, which aims to expand access to quality and affordable essential health and nutrition services between 2026 and 2030 while helping countries sustain investment in these priorities.
The announcement comes amid pressure on international development budgets, making coordinated financing and country-led healthcare investment increasingly important.
By bringing governments, philanthropic organisations and private sector partners together, the GFF aims to strengthen national health systems and improve access to essential care for women, children and adolescents, particularly in countries where preventable maternal and child deaths remain a significant challenge.
