1. Financing Innovation to End Polio Forever
For over two decades, GPEI has worked with governments, philanthropies, and development banks to pioneer breakthrough financing tools that support polio eradication. With the endgame in sight, we’re scaling innovative financing models to reach the final mile and build lasting systems for the future.
2. What Is Innovative Financing?
Innovative financing refers to non-traditional approaches that complement grants and official development assistance by unlocking new sources of capital, sharing risk, and increasing efficiency and impact. GPEI defines this as a diverse portfolio of tools that increase sustainability, predictability, and country ownership of financing as well as leveraging available funding.
3. Why Does Innovative Financing Matter?
The global funding landscape is shifting. Traditional aid is under pressure, while polio remains a persistent threat. Innovative financing helps close the funding gap and ensures sustainable progress by attracting new donors, linking funds to impact, and reinforcing national systems.
Discover how a results-based financing approach is driving real impact in the fight to end polio—watch the video.
Key Stats:
– US$ 20 billion+ mobilized since 1988
– US$ 1.7 billion funding gap to 2029
– 35+ countries supported through innovative financing
4. What Has GPEI Done in Innovative Financing?
The Gates Foundation has been a driving force behind innovative financing models that have reshaped how the world funds global health and polio eradication. Seeing early that traditional grants could not match the scale or urgency of the eradication effort, the Foundation helped design and back tools that unlock new capital, share risk, and align partners around a common strategy. This approach has mobilized additional multilateral, bilateral, and domestic resources, turning philanthropic capital into a catalyst for wider commitment. For GPEI, it has been transformative—strengthening predictability, incentivizing country ownership, and helping keep eradication efforts on track.
5. Global Solidarity: Investing in Each Other
GPEI has long benefited from in-kind co-financing from polio-affected governments. Now, countries like India, Indonesia, Brazil, and China are exploring ways to donate vaccines and provide technical assistance to help others cross the finish line. This growing South-South solidarity reflects shared ownership of the global eradication goal.
6. Looking Ahead: Defining the Future of GPEI Financing
To address persistent resource gaps and enhance sustainability, GPEI has launched an Innovative Finance Working Group with external experts. This group will shape a future-focused financing strategy involving blended finance, domestic contributions, public-private partnerships, and performance-linked approaches. The goal is to align financing with country systems and co-design solutions that deliver lasting health benefits and accountability.
This is a pivotal moment. The return on investment from polio eradication will extend far beyond polio—strengthening health systems, surveillance infrastructure, and global security.