Tuesday, 28 April, 2026 at 9:00AM ET
Integrating gender and climate objectives is increasingly recognized as essential to achieving sustainable and inclusive development outcomes in blended finance. By intentionally embedding gender considerations into climate investments, practitioners can unlock more equitable access to finance, strengthen resilience, and improve overall investment performance. However, despite growing momentum, many blended finance vehicles still face challenges in translating high-level gender and climate strategies into practical, scalable implementation approaches.
The session will open with key insights, data, and trends on gender and climate in blended finance, drawing on Convergence’s market intelligence. This segment will highlight how gender and climate objectives are being integrated across sectors, the instruments and structures most commonly used, and the opportunities and challenges in advancing gender-responsive climate investments.
This will be followed by two 20-minute case study presentations, each demonstrating a distinct approach to structuring and scaling blended finance vehicles that integrate gender and climate objectives:
Case Study 1: EcoEnterprises Fund IV
A blended finance fund investing in nature-based SMEs, designed to deliver both environmental and gender outcomes. This case will explore fund structuring, the role of catalytic capital, and how a gender lens is embedded throughout the investment process.
Case Study 2: MCE Empowering Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) Fund
A blended finance vehicle supporting agricultural enterprises and smallholder farmers through financial intermediaries and risk-sharing mechanisms. This case will examine how the fund advances women’s economic participation while strengthening climate-resilient agricultural value chains.
