10/29/2026
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is funded through assessed contributions from its Member States and voluntary contributions from governments and other development partners. These resources support the ILO's work on labour rights, decent work, employment, social protection and social dialogue.
The ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations and has a distinctive tripartite structure that brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers.
The ILO identifies three main funding sources.
The ILO Regular Budget is financed through assessed contributions from Member States. These mandatory contributions are calculated according to an agreed assessment scale.
The Regular Budget supports the organization's core functions, including its international labour standards work, governance, research, technical expertise and institutional operations.
The Regular Budget Supplementary Account (RBSA) receives voluntary contributions from partners to provide flexible funding for the ILO's core work.
Unlike funding tied to one narrowly defined project, these resources can help the organization address priorities across countries and programmes according to its agreed objectives.
The ILO also receives voluntary contributions from public and private organizations, international financial institutions, UN entities and other development partners.
These contributions frequently support specific projects and programmes in individual countries or regions.
The ILO reports that more than 140 funding partners contribute to its development cooperation activities.
ILO funding partners include:
National governments
Public development agencies
International financial institutions
UN organizations
Intergovernmental organizations
Private-sector and other institutional partners
The precise list of major contributors changes over time and varies according to whether the figures cover assessed contributions, flexible voluntary funding or project-specific contributions.
For up-to-date information, the ILO publishes information about its development cooperation funding and results through its official reporting tools.
The ILO promotes decent work and social justice. Its programmes address working conditions, employment, labour standards and social protection.
Examples of its work include:
Combating forced labour and child labour
Promoting workplace safety and health
Supporting fair wages and decent working conditions
Strengthening labour inspection and employment services
Promoting gender equality at work
Supporting skills development and youth employment
Expanding social protection
Supporting workers' and employers' organizations
Helping countries improve labour legislation
Promoting dialogue between governments, employers and workers
The ILO also develops international labour standards, including conventions and recommendations that guide national policies and practices.
The ILO has a tripartite structure. Governments, employers and workers all participate in its governance and decision-making.
This structure reflects the principle that labour issues cannot be addressed by governments alone. Employers' organizations and workers' organizations also have an important role in shaping labour policy and international standards.
The ILO's International Labour Conference brings together these groups to discuss global labour issues and adopt international labour standards.
The ILO is part of the UN system, but its funding model includes its own assessed contributions and voluntary funding arrangements. It should not be assumed that all of its activities are paid for through the UN's central regular budget.
Its Regular Budget is financed by Member State contributions, while supplementary and project funding comes from voluntary partners.
The availability and flexibility of funding influence the ILO's ability to support countries, conduct research, implement development cooperation projects and respond to emerging labour challenges.
Funding can help countries improve labour institutions, extend social protection, strengthen employment policies and protect workers' rights.
The ILO is funded by assessed contributions from Member States, flexible voluntary contributions and voluntary funding for development cooperation. Governments and other partners finance its work on labour standards, employment, social protection, workplace rights and decent work.
Unchannel - 10/29/2026