Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund announces RM17 million for 2026–2027 projects

Putrajaya, 25 June 2026 – The Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund today launched its third Call for Proposals (CFP 2026/27), making available up to USD4.4 million (approximately RM17.6 million) to support innovative, catalytic and partnership-driven projects in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Malaysia.

Since its establishment, the Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund has invested USD8 million in 30 projects, reaching more than 72,000 people across 11 states. The Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund is a pooled fund run by United Nations in Malaysia, supported by the Yayasan MySDG and the Ministry of Finance.

YBhg. Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican, Secretary General of Treasury at the Ministry of Finance said, “The Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund projects have had a great track record of being life changing for disadvantaged communities. I am confident that as we launch the third Call for Proposals, we can look forward to project proposals that not only provide innovative solutions but will also provide a test bed for future policy interventions that can be scaled up, together in partnership between the Government, UN, civil society and the communities to be helped.”

The CFP 2026/27 places a strong emphasis on the Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principle — the central commitment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — by prioritizing initiatives for vulnerable groups and localities most at risk of being left behind.

This year’s call also strengthens geographical targeting, with particular attention to states facing persistent development disparities, including Sabah, Sarawak, Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, and Perlis.

Under the call, grants ranging from USD100,000 to USD500,000 will be awarded to projects that advance inclusive and sustainable development, particularly for persons, communities and localities most at risk of being left behind. Applications are open to Malaysian-based civil society organizations, non-governmental and non-profit entities, including academic institutions, as well as UN agencies. Eligible projects should have an implementation period of between 12 and 24 months.

Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Yayasan MySDG, said:

“At the heart of the Malaysia–UN SDG Trust Fund is a commitment to ensure development reaches those who need it most. Over the past two years, the Fund has supported community-driven programmes that have improved lives, strengthened resilience and expanded opportunities across Malaysia. In this new Call for Proposals, we look forward to supporting innovative partnerships that advance sustainable development while ensuring no one is left behind.”

Now entering its third year, the Trust Fund has supported interventions benefiting indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, refugees, stateless populations, marginalised women and youth, and remote coastal communities across Malaysia.

Projects funded to date have delivered tangible results in health, livelihoods and environmental sustainability. Mobile clinics have expanded access to healthcare for communities who have limited access, while livelihood initiatives have increased household incomes and strengthened climate resilience. In Sabah, improved sanitation systems have significantly reduced marine pollution while creating community-led income opportunities. Education and skills development programmes have also helped vulnerable groups improve their employment prospects.

Nikolas Myint, UN Resident Coordinator-designate in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, said: 

"As the Fund continues to grow, it provides a powerful platform to identify innovative solutions that can be scaled to advance inclusive and sustainable development across Malaysia. The results achieved so far demonstrate how targeted investments can improve lives, strengthen resilience and expand opportunities for those who are too often left behind. Through this new call for proposals, we hope to support locally driven initiatives that can deliver lasting impact for communities most at risk of being left behind."

The Call for Proposals will close on 6 August 2026, 23:59 PM

For more information, visit malaysia.un.org

Media Contact: 

Navreena Levan

(Navreena.levan@undp.org)