*This webinar is happening on May 20, 2021 - 9 PM EST / 9 AM (May 21) SGT, HKT*

Convergence is currently accepting applications for the [Indo-Pacific Design Funding Window](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/indo-pacific-open-window), which funds the design of blended finance structures that target at least one of the following:

1) Climate finance

2) Gender equality

To ensure applicants submit their strongest proposals, we are hosting a webinar to offer insights on this Design Funding window and Convergence's selection process.

Register for the webinar today to:

- Get your Design Funding questions answered
- Get insight into our decision making process

The next submission deadline is __June 30, 2021__, for the Indo-Pacific Window. Complete eligibility & evaluation criteria are [here](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/indo-pacific-open-window).

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. Since the establishment of the program, Convergence has awarded nearly USD 7 million in funding to 23 solutions, which have gone on to mobilize over USD 650 million from public, philanthropic, and private investors.


 The Indo-Pacific Design Funding Window - How to Apply (For those based in Asia)

Convergence is currently accepting applications for the Indo-Pacific Design Funding Window, which funds the design of blended finance structures that target climate finance and/or gender equality. 

The Indo-Pacific Design Funding Window

In January 2021, the United Nations published the [Adaptation Gap Report 2020](https://www.unep.org/resources/adaptation-gap-report-2020#:~:text=The%20UNEP%20Adaptation%20Gap%20Report%202020%20finds%20that%20while%20nations,floods%20and%20sea%2Dlevel%20rise.), warning of "huge gaps" in financing climate adaptation. Unfortunately, this gap is even more pronounced for women who are disproportionately impacted by climate change.

The [Women Impact Investment Network](https://www.wiin-network.com/) (WIIN) and Convergence, jointly invite you to a conversation about how this financing approach can address the gender-climate change nexus.

Host: Dipa Sharif-Ahmed (WIIN Co-Founder), Director, AV Ventures

Panelists:

[Andrew Apampa](https://www.convergence.finance/about/team/6vagDS0aL4cusKnOrWB6o), Senior Associate, Convergence

[Ayesha Bery](https://www.convergence.finance/about/team/3u0qeg7AKQCWmoY2QwG0s4), Senior Associate, Convergence

Moderator: Holly Li (WIIN Board Member), Managing Director, Polymer Wealth Management (HK)

Webinar Details:

Date: Wednesday, May 19th, 2021
Time: 12:00pm-1:15pm Eastern Daylight Time

Blended Finance and the gender & climate change nexus

The Women Impact Investment Network (WIIN) and Convergence, jointly invite you to a conversation about how this financing approach can address the gender-climate change nexus.

*This webinar is happening on May 18, 2021 - 10 AM EST / 4 PM CET*

Convergence is currently accepting applications for the [Indo-Pacific Design Funding Window](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/indo-pacific-open-window), which funds the design of blended finance structures that target at least one of the following:

1) Climate finance

2) Gender equality

To ensure applicants submit their strongest proposals, we are hosting a webinar to offer insights on this Design Funding window and Convergence's selection process.

Register for the webinar today to:

- Get your Design Funding questions answered
- Get insight into our decision making process

The next submission deadline is __June 30, 2021__, for the Indo-Pacific Window. Complete eligibility & evaluation criteria are [here](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/indo-pacific-open-window).

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. Since the establishment of the program, Convergence has awarded nearly USD 7 million in funding to 23 solutions, which have gone on to mobilize over USD 650 million from public, philanthropic, and private investors.


 The Indo-Pacific Design Funding Window - How to Apply (For those based in North America & Europe)

*Recommendations and a practical agenda for deploying blended finance to scale investments and developmental impact in food and agriculture.*

__About this Event__

In January 2021, the Smallholder and Agri-SME Finance and Investment Network (SAFIN) and Convergence co-published a paper outlining practical steps and recommendations for deploying blended finance to achieve scale both in financial mobilization and in development impact in food and agriculture.

On May 6th, SAFIN and Convergence will discuss recommendations from the paper and a practical agenda for action with a panel of donors, private investors and financial service providers.

The event will take place on __May 6 from 9:00 - 10:00AM EDT__. 

__About the hosts__

Convergence is the global network for blended finance, generating data, intelligence, and deal flow to increase private sector investment in developing countries. Convergence’s Design Funding program supports the design and launch of new blended finance solutions that aim to catalyze private investment in development countries toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The Asia Natural Capital Design Funding Window provides funding for the design and launch of blended finance solutions focused on natural capital in Asia.

Convergence accepts applications on a rolling basis, and the next deadline for the window is June 3, 2021. [Click here for more details](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/asia-natural-capital-open-window).

[Smallholder and Agri-SME Finance and Investment Network (SAFIN)](https://www.safinetwork.org/) is an inclusive partnership of actors operating in different parts of the ecosystem for agri-food and rural small and medium enterprise (SME) investment, with a focus on access to finance and complementary services. The network is currently facilitated by a team housed within the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). It comprises about 50 institutions from the private, public and philanthropic sectors, including governments, different types of finance providers and financial intermediaries, development banks, and farmers' organizations.

Deploying Blended Finance to Scale Investments in Food and Agriculture

Recommendations and a practical agenda for deploying blended finance to scale investments and developmental impact in food and agriculture.

Blended finance for food and agriculture

The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD)is organizing interactive events focused on Uganda, Kenya and Bangladesh to discuss the local climate challenges and how the DFCD could support potentially bankable climate projects in scaling successfully, and generating social and environmental development in these countries. 

The Scalable Climate Solutions Challenge is looking for projects that provide climate-resilience and large-scale impact in climate-vulnerable landscapes. One project per country will be provided with a development contribution of up to € 350,000 from the existing DFCD Origination facility, get a chance to present their project at COP26 in Glasgow and become eligible for larger support from DFCD. Do you have or know a project with a scalable business model that contributes to improving the quality and management of water, the resilience of agriculture or the health and diversity of ecosystems in Uganda, Kenya or Bangladesh that would be up for this Challenge and can benefit from our support? Or do you just want to learn more about the Challenge? DFCD encourages all stakeholders to participate.  

*__Please check your own time zone__*

__Uganda: 22 April at 9:00 am CET (or 10:00 Uganda Time)__

__Bangladesh: 28 April at 10:00 am CET (or 14:00 Bangladesh Time)__ 

__Kenya: 6 May at 10:00 am CET (or 11.00 Kenya Time)__

Register yourself and share the link with others:
[https://www.thedfcd.com/challenge/live](https://www.thedfcd.com/challenge/live "DFCD Scalable Climate Challenge")

Want to know more? [Visit www.thedfcd.com/challenge](https://www.thedfcd.com/challenge/ "DFCD Scalable Climate Challenge") or reach out to info@thedfcd.com for further questions. 

To directly apply click on the link below:
[https://airtable.com/shrV3PUGJ6Tmdyvco](https://airtable.com/shrV3PUGJ6Tmdyvco)

DFCD Scalable Climate Solutions Challenge in Uganda, Kenya and Bangladesh

The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD)is organizing interactive events focused on Uganda, Kenya and Bangladesh to discuss the local climate challenges and how the DFCD could support potentially bankable climate projects in scaling successfully, and generating social and environmental development in these countries. 

DFCD Scalable Climate Solutions Challenge

Convergence and The Conservation Finance Alliance are co-hosting a webinar to share challenges and opportunities in designing financing structures for nature-based solutions.

Convergence and the CFA are bringing together practitioners to discuss lessons learned and challenges encountered in early stage design work of natural capital and conservation finance structures.

Convergence’s [Asia Natural Capital Design Funding Window](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/asia-natural-capital-open-window "Convergence | Asia Natural Capital Design Funding Window") provides grants for the design and launch of blended finance solutions focused on natural capital in Asia. The CFA’s [Incubator](https://www.conservationfinancealliance.org/incubator "CFA Incubator") program seeks to identify, support, and promote innovative ideas and solutions to conservation finance challenges that have significant positive conservation impacts. The webinar will feature past grant recipients and program participants, who will share their practical insights.

Convergence accepts applications on a rolling basis, and the __next deadline for the Asia Natural Capital Window is June 3rd, 2021__. 

Designing Financing Structures  for Nature-based Solutions (Asia)

Convergence and The Conservation Finance Alliance are co-hosting a webinar on April 22nd to share challenges and opportunities in designing financing structures for nature-based solutions.

Designing Financing Structures  for Nature-based Solutions

Designing Financing Structures  for Nature-based Solutions (US/Europe)

Convergence and The Conservation Finance Alliance are co-hosting a webinar on April 20th to share challenges and opportunities in designing financing structures for nature-based solutions.

The natural world underpins our economies, with more than 44 trillion USD of economic value generation, half the world’s GDP, moderately or highly dependent on this critical asset. Nature is central to supply chains and raw materials, supporting the businesses we finance, invest in and insure - and yet it is increasingly under threat. 

As part of the [Sustainable Investment Forum 2021](https://events.climateaction.org/sustainable-investment-forum-europe/ "Sustainable Investment Forum 2021"), this session will explore how European investors can move from the case for investing in nature to meeting the conservation finance gap at scale. This shift presents many business opportunities for European investors, with the support of blended finance and strategic public investments in accelerating nature finance. 

__Joan M. Larrea, CEO of Convergence, will participate on the panel to discuss how blended finance can help accelerate nature finance.__ 

UNEP FI Panel on Nature & Biodiversity

This session will explore how European investors can move from the case for investing in nature to meeting the conservation finance gap at scale. This shift presents many business opportunities for European investors, with the support of blended finance and strategic public investments in accelerating nature finance. 


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

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

__This seminar has reached full capacity.__

---

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)

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

Informed by ODI’s new report, “ Development Finance Institutions (DFIs): need for bold action to invest better ” ODI investigates what has and has not worked in mobilizing private finance for development. ODI explores how development finance institutions, multilateral development banks and their shareholders, can re-evaluate their business models, investment approaches and collaborative initiatives to better support the vision of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and support the global effort to ‘build back better'.

### Speakers:

__Samantha Attridge__
Senior Research Fellow, Development and Public Finance, ODI

__Jean-Philippe De Schrevel__
Founder and Managing Partner, [Bamboo Capital Partners](https://www.convergence.finance/news-and-events/news/7sugegQYKLl5oQ8mZS6wDc/view "Convergence | BCP Member Spotlight")

__Joost Zuidberg__
Chief Executive Officer, Cardano Development

__Andrew Herscowitz__
Panellist – Chief Development Officer, [US International Development Finance Corporation](https://www.convergence.finance/news-and-events/news/3iypwUnCmLfgcuhvc12wxQ/view "Convergence | DFC Member Spotlight") (DFC)

__Katharine Steger__
Managing Director, Regional Head Europe, Public Sector Development Organizations, Standard Chartered

Development Finance Institutions: Bold Action to Invest Better

Virtual event organized by ODI to explore how development finance institutions, multilateral development banks and their shareholders, can re-evaluate their business models, investment approaches and collaborative initiatives to better support the vision of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and support the global effort to ‘build back better'.

Bold Action to Invest Better

The countries of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions are some of the most vulnerable to climate change. However, financial flows for private sector projects in climate adaptation remain limited. Overcoming this challenge and stimulating the expertise and innovation capacity of the private sector is critical for the future of these regions. This online event examines how ACP countries can overcome the barriers to mobilizing finance to catalyze the private sector to provide goods and services which delivers climate resilient economic growth. This will include discussion on the role of various international sources of finance, such as multilateral development banks or impact investors, in catalyzing other sources of investment.

This online event will share experiences and provide guidance to public and private sector stakeholders in ACP countries seeking to mobilize finance to stimulate private sector engagement in climate adaptation projects. It will highlight the need for ACP countries to better translate their National Adaptation Plans into clear investments priorities for the private sector and the pivotal role of Developmental Financial Institutions to provide tailored financial solutions which meets the needs of the private sector in these countries.


Mobilizing International Finance to Stimulate Investment into Climate Change Adaptation

This event will include a discussion on the role of various international sources of finance, such as multilateral development banks or impact investors, in catalyzing other sources of investment, and offer guidance to public and private sector stakeholders in ACP countries seeking to mobilize finance to stimulate private sector engagement in climate adaptation projects.