The Island Finance Forum brings together senior financiers, development partners and regulators to share and exchange expertise on sustainable and inclusive financial structures in island communities. The Forum aims to highlight the unique financial challenges faced by global island communities and the solutions for sustainable economic recovery and inclusive growth in a post-pandemic world.

The Island Finance Forum will:
1. Bridge the gap between sustainable development practitioners and financial stakeholders.
2. Help island stakeholders access expert knowledge and financial opportunities available to them.
3. Showcase the economic opportunities available from investing in the sustainability sector on islands – particularly impact investing and ESG.

Register now to attend the various online sessions taking place 14-15th April 2021.

 Island Finance Forum 2021

The Island Finance Forum brings together senior financiers, development partners and regulators, highlighting the unique financial challenges faced by global island communities, and the solutions for sustainable economic recovery and inclusive growth in a post-pandemic world.

Convergence Eventbrite

__Wednesday, April 14 2021, 9am – 11:30am Singapore time (GMT +8):__

[Register](https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7510182700783527692 "Register for the event")

---

This 2.5-hour (150 minutes) interactive seminar will cover:
- How blended finance is used to mobilize additional private sector financing for health and education in developing countries;
- Case studies and trend analysis on blended finance transactions in health and education; and
- Recommendations to practitioners on leveraging blended finance effectively.

Historically, Convergence has not seen sustained activity in blended finance for health and education, with both sectors combined accounting for less than 10% of the blended finance market. More recently, though, blended finance activity has grown in both sectors - in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among transactions currently fundraising on Convergence’s matchmaking platform, 19% target the health sector and 18% target the education sector. In this seminar, Convergence members will share their insights, and participants will discuss current initiatives in small groups.

This is the last seminar in our five-part series “Blended Finance in Select Sectors". You are welcome to register even if you have not attended any of the preceding seminars.

*The seminar has limited space to ensure an intensive and practice-driven learning experience. Each Convergence member organization has two complimentary seats in each seminar, please apply the __discount code__ you received by e-mail. Non-members can register for a fee of USD150.*


Blended Finance for Health and Education (Asia/West Coast)

'Blended Finance for Health and Education' is the fifth seminar in Convergence's series "Blended Finance in Select Sectors".

__Tuesday, April 13 2021, 9am – 11:30am Eastern time (GMT -4):__

[Register](https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7890553250854460428 "Register for the event")

---

This 2.5-hour (150 minutes) interactive seminar will cover:
- How blended finance is used to mobilize additional private sector financing for health and education in developing countries;
- Case studies and trend analysis on blended finance transactions in health and education; and
- Recommendations to practitioners on leveraging blended finance effectively.

Historically, Convergence has not seen sustained activity in blended finance for health and education, with both sectors combined accounting for less than 10% of the blended finance market. More recently, though, blended finance activity has grown in both sectors - in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among transactions currently fundraising on Convergence’s matchmaking platform, 19% target the health sector and 18% target the education sector. In this seminar, Convergence members will share their insights, and participants will discuss current initiatives in small groups.

This is the last seminar in our five-part series “Blended Finance in Select Sectors". You are welcome to register even if you have not attended any of the preceding seminars.

*The seminar has limited space to ensure an intensive and practice-driven learning experience. Each Convergence member organization has two complimentary seats in each seminar, please apply the __discount code__ you received by e-mail. Non-members can register for a fee of USD150.*


Blended Finance for Health and Education (Europe/East Coast)

As part of the upcoming Africa Regional Review meeting for the 5th UN Conference on LDCs, co-convened by UN office of the High Representative on LDCs, Landlocked  Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Government of Malawi (chair of the LDC group), UNCDF has organized a virtual dialogue with country partners and relevant stakeholders on the Impact of COVID-19 on SMEs in LDCs and the role of blended finance in supporting a resilient recovery, on February 24 between 6:00-7:30 EST.

This side event will provide insights from UNCDF’s [Blended Finance in the Least Developed Countries 2020: Supporting a Resilient Covid-19 Recovery report](https://www.convergence.finance/resource/7e4c5d28-38e0-495e-9fcb-57c7ad85cb96/view "Blended Finance in the Least Developed Countries 2020: Supporting a Resilient Covid-19 Recovery report"), including an update on the deployment of blended finance in LDCs with a particular focus on Africa, as well as analysis of its potential role in helping LDCs recover from the COVID 19 crisis. 

The session will also highlight impacts of COVID-19 on SMEs and the need for additional SME finance. 

Convergence is happy to have Ladé Araba, Managing Director for Africa, join the panel of experts to share perspectives on the role of blended finance to support a resilient recovery in Africa. 

![Screen Shot 2021-02-17 at 12.32.52 PM](//images.ctfassets.net/4cgqlwde6qy0/6tfkXZhpuUCTd2NQYrrPAK/c9cda1dd9a87e3d5146494bfded76cbe/Screen_Shot_2021-02-17_at_12.32.52_PM.png)

*__Please be sure to select ‘Impacts of COVID-19 on SMEs in LDCs and the role of blended finance in supporting a reliant recovery’ in side events you would like to attend. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants.__*

Impacts of COVID-19 on SMEs in LDCs

Ladé Araba, Managing Director for Africa at Convergence joins panel with country partners and relevant stakeholders to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on SMEs in LDCs and the role of blended finance in supporting a resilient recovery, organized by UNCDF as part of the upcoming Africa Regional Review meeting for the 5th UN Conference on LDCs.

__Thursday, February 18th 2021, 9am – 11:30am Singapore time (GMT +8):__

---

This 2.5-hour (150 minutes) interactive seminar will cover:

- How blended finance can mobilize additional private sector finance for financial inclusion;
- Case studies and trend analysis on deals that provide financing to domestic banks, microfinance institutions and alternative financial service providers; and
- Recommendations to practitioners on leveraging blended finance effectively.

Blended finance has a long track record of supporting financial inclusion solutions. Financial inclusion solutions support banks, cooperatives, microfinance institutions (MFIs), money transfer companies and mobile network operators to extend the reach of financial markets to those most in need. Relative to other impact themes, the private sector has demonstrated a healthy appetite for financial inclusion in developing countries - 25% of blended finance deals in Convergence’s database target financial inclusion. In this seminar, Convergence members will share their insights, and participants will discuss current initiatives in small groups. 

This is the fourth seminar in our five-part series “Blended Finance in Select Sectors". You are welcome to register even if you have not attended any of the preceding seminars.

*The seminar has limited space to ensure an intensive and practice-driven learning experience. Each Convergence member organization has two complimentary seats in each seminar, please apply the __discount code__ you received by e-mail. Non-members can register for a fee of USD150.*

Blended Finance for Financial Inclusion (Asia/West Coast)

Blended Finance for Financial Inclusion is the fourth seminar in Convergence's series "Blended Finance in Select Sectors".

Blended Finance for Financial Inclusion, Asia/West Coast

__This executive panel is designed for public and private sector officials, NGOs, and others interested in blended finance. It will discuss how blended finance can be used to help build back better, safely, and securely to achieve the SDGs, with a particular focus on using blended finance to address the needs of women.__

The COVID-19 crisis has set back progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). New attention needs to be paid to building back better in the post-COVID world.

Blended finance is the use of catalytic capital from public or philanthropic sources to increase private sector investment in sustainable development. It has been advocated by the international development community as a tool to help address the estimated USD 2.5 trillion annual SDG funding gap in emerging markets and developing countries. 

There are three interrelated areas that will be explored in this executive panel:

- The resources for international assistance to support build-back efforts are limited
- How blended finance can be used to advance gendered-focus investments
- How blended finance can increase opportunities and reduce risk to support financial sector regulators and supervisors balance growth and investment with financial and economic stability


 Utilizing Blended Finance to Help Developing Countries Build Back Better

Blended Finance for Developing Countries Build Back Better

The OECD will mark the first anniversary of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC)’s Community of Practice on Private Finance for Sustainable Development (CoP-PFSD) with a series of discussions that will aim to answer the following critical policy topics in a COVID-19 era: 

__Addressing regulatory and financial capacity constraints__ 
Institutions that deliver development finance, such as DFIs, will be required to respond to the COVID-19 crisis with constrained financial capacity: a situation where balance sheet optimisation can play an important role. This discussion will feed on insights from the Report of the Global Investors for Sustainable Development. 

__Closing the SDG financing gap: making the most of blended finance__
Mobilizing additional financial resources effectively for sustainable development requires mitigating investment risks and encouraging commercial finance providers. Blended finance instruments — such as guarantees and direct investment — have proven effective, with USD 205.2 billion in private capital mobilized for development over 2012-18. The OECD DAC Blended Finance Guidance provides policy makers and development finance actors with the background, evidence, best practice and tools to engage in blended finance effectively. 

__Driving impact: the role of frameworks and standards__ 
Businesses and investors often point out their SDG alignment without disclosing how they contribute meaningfully to the achievement of the Goals. Public and private actors need to agree on common frameworks and standards to measure the impact of sustainable development investments, and reduce the risks of “SDG washing”. 

__Focusing on climate and gender to build back better__ 
With less than 10 years to reduce global net CO2 emissions by 45% and limit global warming to 1.5C, mobilizing climate finance may be the most pressing challenge of our time. Governments, institutional investors and other actors must scale up climate finance mechanisms, strategies and disclosure levels in order to ensure the COVID-19 build back is sustainable. Adopting a gender lens while implementing blended finance initiatives is also necessary for ‘smart’ finance to meet the needs and priorities of marginalised groups.

2021 Blended Finance Impact Week

Convergence's Design Funding program supports the design and launch of new blended finance solutions that aim to catalyze private investment in developing countries and towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Convergence is currently accepting applications for both of its Design Funding windows, the [Asia Natural Capital Window](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/asia-natural-capital-open-window) and the [Indo-Pacific Window](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/indo-pacific-open-window).

To help applicants submit their strongest proposals, we are hosting two webinars on January 13th (9pm EST / 10am SGT & HKT for those in Asia-Pacific) and January 26th (9am EST / 3pm CET for those in Europe and the Americas), to offer insights on our Design Funding program and Convergence's selection process. Current grantees will also share their application experience and answer any questions related to their design funding journey.

__Register for the webinar today! __

- Get your Design Funding questions answered 

- Get insight into our decision making process 

- And, get advice on how to submit a successful application

__Applications for both windows are accepted on a rolling basis. The next submission deadlines for the windows are February 11 and February 18 for the Asia Natural Capital Window and Indo-Pacific Window, respectively.__

[RSVP here for the January 26th webinar (9am EST / 3pm CET).](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/133785418789)

__You must register to gain access to the Zoom link. __

Convergence's Design Funding Windows: Everything you need to know to apply by February

Design Funding: Everything you need to know to apply

__Wednesday, January 20th 2021, 9am – 11:30am Singapore time (GMT +8):__

[Register](https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1327631014943408400 "Register for the event")

---

This 2.5-hour (150 minutes) interactive seminar will cover:

- How blended finance can mobilize additional private sector finance for the agricultural sector
- The rationale and considerations for leveraging blended finance as a structuring approach;
- Case studies and trend analysis on transactions focused on small-holder farmers, agri-SMEs, and value chain financing; and
- Recommendations to practitioners on leveraging blended finance effectively.

During the seminar, Convergence members will share their insights, and participants will discuss current initiatives in small groups. 

This is the third seminar in our five-part series “Blended Finance in Select Sectors". You are welcome to register even if you have not attended any of the preceding seminars.

*The seminar has limited space to ensure an intensive and practice-driven learning experience. Each Convergence member organization has two complimentary seats in each seminar, please apply the __discount code__ you received by e-mail. Non-members can register for a fee of USD150.*

Blended Finance for Agriculture (Asia/West Coast)

Blended Finance for Agriculture is the third seminar in Convergence's series "Blended Finance in Select Sectors".

Blended Finance for Agriculture, Asia/West Coast

Convergence's Design Funding program supports the design and launch of new blended finance solutions that aim to catalyze private investment in developing countries and towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Convergence is currently accepting applications for both of its Design Funding windows, the [Asia Natural Capital Window](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/asia-natural-capital-open-window) and the [Indo-Pacific Window](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/indo-pacific-open-window).

To help applicants submit their strongest proposals, we are hosting two webinars on January 13th (9pm EST / 10am SGT & HKT for those in Asia-Pacific) and January 26th (9am EST / 3pm CET for those in Europe and the Americas), to offer insights on our Design Funding program and Convergence's selection process. Current grantees will also share their application experience and answer any questions related to their design funding journey.

__Register for the webinar today! __

- Get your Design Funding questions answered 

- Get insight into our decision making process 

- And, get advice on how to submit a successful application

__Applications for both windows are accepted on a rolling basis. The next submission deadlines for the windows are February 11 and February 18 for the Asia Natural Capital Window and Indo-Pacific Window, respectively.__

[RSVP here for the January 14th webinar (10:00am SGT & HKT).](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/convergence-design-funding-everything-you-need-to-know-to-apply-tickets-133775372741)

__You must register to gain access to the Zoom link. __

__Wednesday, December 16th 2020, 9am – 11:30am Singapore time (GMT +8):__

---

This 2.5-hour (150 minutes) interactive seminar will cover:

- How blended finance can mobilize additional private sector financing for climate and the environment;
- The rationale and considerations behind using blended finance instruments;
- Case studies and trend analysis on transactions in these sectors; and
- Recommendations to practitioners on leveraging blended finance effectively to create development impact for climate and the environment.

This seminar will cover where and how blended finance approaches can be used to attract additional commercial capital to climate change mitigation and  adaptation as well as environmental protection. Convergence members will share their insights, and participants will discuss current initiatives in small group settings.

This is the second seminar in our five-part series “Blended Finance in Select Sectors". You are welcome to register even if you have not attended any of the preceding seminars.

*The seminar has limited space to ensure an intensive and practice-driven learning experience. We recommend that no more than two representatives from each organization attend. Registration is complimentary for members, applying the __discount code__ you received by e-mail. Non-members can register for a fee of USD150.*


Blended Finance for Climate and the Environment (Asia/West Coast) 

Blended Finance for Climate and the Environment is the second seminar in Convergence's series "Blended Finance in Select Sectors".

Blended Finance for Climate & Environment, Asia/West Coast

Blended Finance in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) report will outline the latest trends in blended finance approaches in LDCs, including updated data and guest pieces by practitioners and experts working in the blended finance space highlighting the opportunities and challenges of applying blended finance solutions in LDCs. 