As countries navigate a shifting development financing landscape, the need for sustainable, long-term investment in health has never been greater. With the launch of the 21st replenishment cycle of the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA21), a powerful opportunity has emerged to help countries bridge health financing gaps—particularly for diseases that have historically been underfunded, such as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
To support Ministries of Health and their development partners in taking full advantage of this opportunity, Uniting to Combat NTDs has developed a new practical toolkit: Accessing the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA21) Financing for Disease Elimination – A Toolkit for Ministries of Health and Development Partners.
This step-by-step guide is designed to help countries position disease elimination—particularly for NTDs—within their IDA21 financing requests. Drawing on Uniting’s engagement with regional institutions and national health stakeholders, the toolkit offers actionable guidance grounded in current financing processes and institutional priorities.
Why this toolkit and why now?
The IDA21 replenishment cycle, which runs from July 2025 to June 2028, emphasizes the theme “End Poverty on a Livable Planet,” and includes five key pillars: People, Planet, Prosperity, Infrastructure, and Digital Transformation. Health is situated within the ‘People’ pillar, and countries may allocate a portion of their IDA21 financing to initiatives that address pressing health challenges, including the elimination of NTDs.
In many endemic countries, NTDs remain a persistent barrier to progress, preventing children from attending school, adults from working, and communities from thriving. These diseases trap populations in poverty and disproportionately affect those already left behind. Despite the enormous human and economic burden they pose—estimated at $33 billion annually in lost productivity—NTDs often remain absent from national budgets.
By leveraging IDA21 financing, countries have a chance to change that. This toolkit helps ministries unlock new funding for NTDs by addressing the following topics:
- Understanding IDA21: An overview of the replenishment cycle, allocation principles, and how health fits into IDA’s cross-sectoral priorities.
- Identifying entry points: How and when to engage Ministries of Finance and World Bank country offices.
- Framing the case for NTDs: Guidance on linking NTD elimination to development priorities like poverty reduction, human capital, and economic growth.
- Developing funding requests: Practical steps for aligning proposals with national strategies, World Bank priorities, and IDA21 requirements.
- Fostering collaboration: Tips for building effective partnerships between health and finance stakeholders.
A timely tool for action
At a time when external health financing is declining, this toolkit offers a timely and targeted solution to help governments prioritise disease elimination through existing development financing mechanisms. By equipping Ministries of Health and their partners with the tools to effectively engage in IDA21 processes, it strengthens the path toward ending NTDs and achieving global targets on NTD elimination for 2030.
The IDA21 toolkit is available for download now. Together, we can ensure no one is left behind in the fight against NTDs.
For questions or more information, please contact info@unitingtocombatntds.org
