Development Co-operation Profiles

Bernard van Leer Foundation

Introduction

The Bernard van Leer Foundation is a financially independent foundation based in the Netherlands, established in 1949. The foundation’s income is derived from the legacy of Bernard van Leer.

The foundation is guided by the vision of Bernard van Leer’s son, Oscar, that all children deserve a good start in life. It works worldwide to inspire and inform large-scale action to improve the health and well-being of babies, toddlers and those who care for them. It provides financial support and expertise to government, civil society and business partners to help test and scale effective services for young children and families.

Private development finance

The Bernard van Leer Foundation provided USD 11.5 million for development in 2022 through its grantmaking activities. Compared to 2021, this amount represents a decrease of 13.4% in real terms.

 

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Bilateral and multilateral allocations

In 2022, the Bernard van Leer Foundation channelled its development finance mostly through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society (USD 9.1 million).

 

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Multilateral channels

In 2022, the Bernard van Leer Foundation provided USD 0.6 million to the multilateral system, representing 4.8% of its development finance. All of which were earmarked for specific countries, regions, themes or purposes. These multilateral channels mostly include the World Bank Group and other multilateral organisations, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

 

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The United Nations (UN) system received USD 77 thousand from the Bernard van Leer Foundation in 2022, all supporting the WHO.

 

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Civil society organisations

In 2022, civil society organisations (CSOs) received USD 9.1 million of the Bernard van Leer Foundation’s gross development finance, all earmarked for specific projects or programmes. These contributions were mostly channelled through international NGOs (37.3%) and NGOs in developed countries (36.3%).

Learn more about the DAC Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Aid.

 

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Geographic and thematic focus

In 2022, the Bernard van Leer Foundation’s development finance was primarily focused on the Middle East and America. USD 3.6 million was allocated to the Middle East and USD 2.8 million to Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 31.6% and 24.4% of gross development finance, respectively. A sum of USD 3.2 million (27.7%) was unspecified by region in 2022, mainly including multi-regional programmes, and research grants.

Figure. Bilateral private development finance by recipient country

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In 2022, 69% of gross development finance went to the top 10 recipients, most notably Jordan, Brazil, India, Türkiye and Ukraine.

 

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The Bernard van Leer Foundation allocated the largest share (58.1%) of its development finance to upper-middle income countries in 2022, followed by lower-middle income countries (10.1%), noting that USD 3.5 million (31%) was unallocated by income group.

 

Notes: LDC: least developed country; LIC: low-income country; LMIC: lower middle-income country; UMIC: upper middle-income country; MADCTs: more advanced developing countries and territories.

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Sectors

In 2022, 64.6% of the Bernard van Leer Foundation’s contributions were allocated to social infrastructure and services and 33.8% to multi-sector and cross-cutting issues such as urban development. Most of this financing was provided in support of urban development (other multi-sector), education and health and population sectors.

 

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Sustainable Development Goals

In 2022, the Bernard van Leer Foundation committed the largest shares of its contributions to good health and well-being (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

 

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Additional resources

Official website: https://vanleerfoundation.org/

The methodological notes provide further details on the definitions and statistical methodologies applied, including core and earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations, the Sustainable Development Goal focus of private development finance, channels of delivery, unspecified/unallocated allocations, the gender equality policy marker, and the environment markers.