The Human Capital Trust Fund catalyzes investments in people through a comprehensive, evidence-based approach. It was launched in 2019 with generous support from the Gates Foundation and the Government of Canada.
The Trust Fund shapes ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ operations to deliver impacts at scale. Activities funded by the Trust Fund have informed 29 ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳-financed operations, totaling more than $8.5 billion in lending.
Aligned with the objectives of the?Human Capital Project?¨C a global program that comprises 95 member economies committed to? building, protecting, and utilizing human capital ¨C it operates through three pillars: knowledge, evidence, and measurement; country engagement; and global engagement.?
At its core, the Umbrella Program is committed to leveraging data and evidence to inform policies and shape interventions that optimize human capital outcomes.? The Trust Fund will continue to support investments in human capital that allow countries to navigate volatility and uncertainty driven by trends reshaping society. These include climate change, demographic shifts, and the advent of emerging technologies like AI.
By providing governments with access to tools and methodologies, the program empowers decision-makers to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and target interventions effectively. For example, in Bangladesh, The Umbrella Program supported a comprehensive phone survey with 1,500 women and girls who are Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEETs) and non-NEETs to understand the most binding barriers to enter education, skills training, and employment. This work is closely aligned with ongoing ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ operations.
The Human Capital Umbrella Program places a strong emphasis on building government capacity to implement multi-sectoral interventions that address complex challenges. For example, in Nigeria, the Umbrella Program supported the identification of key institutional, governance, and financial constraints hindering service delivery in education and healthcare. Active engagement with stakeholders builds consensus on the proposed reforms.
A cornerstone of the Trust Fund¡¯s mission is promoting gender equality and women¡¯s empowerment. The Gender Innovation and Regional Learning (GIRL) initiative generates evidence and supports regional activities to identify interventions that best address gender disparities and empowers women and girls across education, health, social protection.?For example, it supports legal and policy reforms with a focus on gender inclusion in Togo, Cameroon, and . These reforms address the systemic barriers that prevent women and girls from fully participating in society.
Finally, the Trust Fund also serves as a catalyst for policy dialogue and advocacy, convening stakeholders and fostering thought leadership to mobilize resources and drive innovation.?
