The overarching goal of integrated national financing frameworks (INFFs) is to help countries raise resources for their national sustainable development objectives by increasing the coherence of financing policies – both across sectors and financing policy areas (horizontal synergies) and between financing and sustainable development priorities (vertical synergies). Enhancing this coherence depends on effective ‘INFF governance’, i.e. the institutions and processes responsible for the formulation and implementation of financing policies.

What are the drivers of coherence? Three lessons consistently emerge from experiences in countries that have been developing INFFs, including the INFF ‘pioneer’ countries FN 1, and from similar processes.

First, is the need for strong political commitment, complemented by leadership at senior technical levels. This will ensure ownership, broad-based buy-in and participation, adequate resourcing of INFF-related efforts, and help sustain momentum around the INFF across political cycles.

Second, access to knowledge and incorporating the perspectives of relevant stakeholders increases coherence and enables policy makers to incorporate the broad set of needs, priorities and interests necessary for an integrated approach to financing. This helps to ensure that policy makers have the data and information they need to make decisions, and that finance providers – both public and private – can be held to account.

Third, coordination among different stakeholders, both within government and between state and non-state actors, maximises synergies in the design and implementation of financing policies in different areas and at different levels, minimises risk, avoids the creation of new risk, and effectively addresses trade-offs or contradictions in policy mixes.

The institutions and processes that will facilitate the fulfilment of these functions will differ across countries, as governance arrangements tend to be deeply embedded in the history, traditions and politics of a society. In addition, coherence is a moving target, meaning that the appropriate level of ambition may change over time, and will differ depending on country contexts and what may (or may not) be already in place (see Section 5).

This guidance aims to support national stakeholders to better determine which institutions and processes can best enhance coherence and support successful implementation of INFFs, including how existing institutions can be strengthened, and where new structures may be needed (i.e., where there may be gaps), mindful of country contexts and capacities.