The Danish Ministry of Defence United Nations Pooled Funds

Denmark supports UN Secretary-General Guterres’ reform agenda, Action for Peacekeeping, and Action for Peacekeeping Plus, which aim to strengthen and improve the UN’s peacekeeping efforts. Through the Danish Ministry of Defence’s UN Pooled Funds (MoD UN Pooled Funds), the Danish Ministry of Defence aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of UN peacekeeping efforts. The MoD UN Pooled Funds are part of the Danish government’s Peace and Stabilisation Fund.

MoD UN Pooled Funds 2025–2027

Since 2012, the MoD UN Pooled Funds have supported projects and initiatives that contribute to UN’s ability to carry out peacekeeping and stabilization efforts. The fund is an effective tool that helps meet the UN’s significant demand for financial contributions — sometimes at short notice and requiring a high degree of flexibility for earmarked projects.

Financial funding is allocated based on thematic priorities rather than geographic areas, contributing to improvements in UN peacekeeping across the UN system and its peace operations.

The MoD UN Pooled Funds are financed through the Danish Ministry of Defence’s contributions to the Danish government’s Peace and Stabilisation Fund, which has supported peacebuilding and stabilisation projects in global hotspots since 2010. Since its establishment in 2012, the MoD UN Pooled Funds have had a steadily increasing budget. In the period 2020–2022, the annual budget ranged between DKK 3 and 5 million; in 2022–2024, it increased to DKK 12 to 15 million; and between 2025–2027, it has reached DKK 30 million annually.

In 2025–2027, the MoD UN Pooled Funds primarily support projects within five thematic areas:

1. Improving the Safety and Security of Peacekeepers (incl. veterans)
2. Supporting Effective Performance and Accountability by All Peacekeeping Components
3. Strengthening the Conduct of Peacekeeping Operations and Personnel
4. Strengthening the Protection provided by Peacekeeping Operations
5. Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

1. Promoting the safety and security of UN peacekeeping personnel

Funding is used to support measures addressing threats from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and landmines, through the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), which is responsible for policies, doctrines, and best practices regarding IEDs and mines within the UN system. Denmark also contributes to military peacekeeping-intelligence (MPKI) through manuals, training, and education. Mental health is supported via the UN’s Mind Companion application, which Denmark has supported since 2024, both in development and operation. Initiatives like Unite Aware SAGE and the UN Office for Partnerships (OPSP) are also strengthened to improve data-driven situational awareness, support decision-making, and address cross-system challenges. Denmark supports efforts for personnel affected by PTSD during UN service and continues to advocate for integrated, technology-based solutions that offer physical and mental protection — before, during, and after deployment.

2. Supporting effective task performance and accountability

This theme focuses on ensuring that peacekeeping personnel possess the necessary operational and technical skills. It includes supporting the use of technology in UN operations, for example, through cooperation with the UN’s C4ISR training academy in Uganda, which offers courses on technology and UN communications tools. The MoD UN Pooled Funds also support instructors and courses through the UN’s Integrated Training Service (ITS), which is responsible for coordinating training for UN member states’ UN peacekeepers. This ensures UN personnel are well-prepared, professional, and aligned with UN values and standards.

3. Strengthening proper conduct among deployed UN peacekeepers

Support is given to projects that uphold the UN’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse. It also includes projects aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of UN peace operations using innovative, technological solutions — such as renewable energy. A specific example is the Danish-Ghanaian project in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Ghana, which will establish solar panels and battery systems to reduce fuel consumption and logistical tasks and risks. The project also promotes green transition and energy reliability in remote areas. Denmark will continue to back initiatives combining sustainability with security and accountability.

4. Enhancing protection provided by UN peacekeeping personnel

The focus here is on improving UN peace operation’s strategic communication to local communities to foster understanding, prevent misinformation and disinformation, and address misconduct. These efforts also build support for women's participation in UN peacekeeping. The supported projects contribute to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, the UN’s gender equality strategies, and inclusive and responsible UN peacekeeping. Denmark continues to support communication and protection efforts that strengthen relationships between the UN, civil society, and host states and communities.

5. Promoting the role of women

The fund supports implementation of the WPS agenda through targeted initiatives. Denmark supports the Senior Women Talent Pipeline (SWTP), which promotes and supports women candidates to positions in leadership roles in the UN system, including UN peace operations, and the Elsie Initiative Foundation (EIF), which identifies and breaks down barriers to women’s participation in UN peace operations. Both initiatives enhance gender equality and operational effectiveness. Denmark also funds female participants from Troop Contributing Countries in courses at the Finnish international training centre FINCENT. Full, equal and meaningful participation by women improves situational awareness and access to local communities. Denmark will continue to promote inclusion and equality as key components of effective and responsible UN peacekeeping.

As in previous years, a part of the annual budget remains unallocated to enable quick responses to emerging needs. Such projects will be screened vis-à-vis Denmark’s priorities and their contribution to UN peacekeeping efforts.