Convergence Eventbrite

__Thursday, August 26 2021, 9am – 11:30am Singapore time (GMT +8):__

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

- Overview of the role and activity of philanthropic organizations in the blended finance ecosystem
- The rationale and considerations for philanthropic organizations to use blended finance as a structuring approach
- Case studies on blended finance transactions with philanthropic organization participation
- Recommendations on how best to actively engage and mobilize philanthropic capital into transactions  

Foundations in the blended finance space have most commonly played a small but catalytic role, either providing small amounts of financing to seed large-scale and ground-breaking initiatives or providing smart forms of subsidy and risk mitigation (e.g., interest rate reductions and/or concessional capital) to crowd-in the private sector. In this training participants will get an overview of how this particular stakeholder group approaches blended finance transactions and learn from real life case studies in which philanthropic organizations have participated. 

This is the second training in our five-part series “How Investor Types Blend”. 

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

How Philanthropic Organizations Blend (Asia/West Coast)

'How Philanthropic Organizations Blend' is the second training in Convergence's series "How Investor Types Blend".

How Philanthropic Organizations Blend, Asia/West Coast

__Wednesday, August 25 2021, 9am – 11:30am Eastern time (GMT -4):__

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

- Overview of the role and activity of philanthropic organizations in the blended finance ecosystem
- The rationale and considerations for philanthropic organizations to use blended finance as a structuring approach
- Case studies on blended finance transactions with philanthropic organization participation
- Recommendations on how best to actively engage and mobilize philanthropic capital into transactions  

Foundations in the blended finance space have most commonly played a small but catalytic role, either providing small amounts of financing to seed large-scale and ground-breaking initiatives or providing smart forms of subsidy and risk mitigation (e.g., interest rate reductions and/or concessional capital) to crowd-in the private sector. In this training participants will get an overview of how this particular stakeholder group approaches blended finance transactions and learn from real life case studies in which philanthropic organizations have participated. 

This is the second training in our five-part series “How Investor Types Blend”. 

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


How Philanthropic Organizations Blend (Europe/East Coast)

__Wednesday, July 21 2021, 9am – 11:30am Singapore time (GMT +8):__

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

- Overview of the role and activity of MDBs/DFIs in the blended finance ecosystem
- The rationale and considerations for MDBs/DFIs to leverage blended finance as a structuring approach
- Case studies on blended finance transactions with MDB/DFI participation
- Recommendations on how best to actively engage and mobilize MDB/DFI capital into transactions  

Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) are amongst the most prominent actors in the blended finance ecosystem, accounting for over a third of all transactions in the Convergence database since 2017. In this training participants will get an overview of how this particular stakeholder group approaches blended finance transactions and learn from real life case studies in which MDBs/DFIs have participated. Convergence members will share their insights, and participants will discuss current initiatives in small groups.

This is the first training in our five-part series “How Investor Types Blend”. 

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

How MDBs/DFIs Blend (Asia/West Coast)

'How MDBs/DFIs Blend' is the first training in Convergence's series "How Investor Types Blend".

How MDBs/DFIs Blend, Asia/West Coast

*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)

Hosted by the UN Peacebuilding Support Office, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the Republic of Colombia. 

The financing landscape for peacebuilding, development and humanitarian affairs is increasingly diversified. While an array of innovative financing instruments for the mobilization of private funds – such as blended finance, impact bonds and guarantees – has become available, implementing such instruments towards peacebuilding efforts is particularly challenging in conflict-affected settings. 

Join this event where our CEO Joan Larrea will moderate an expert roundtable on Blended Finance for Peacebuilding, with:

Mr. Bernt Brun, Vice President, Norfund

Ms. Fanta Conde, Deputy Head West Africa Advisory, CrossBoundary

Ms. Zodwa Mbele, Executive Manager, Development Bank of Southern Africa

Mr. Pontus Ohrstedt, Chief of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, Colombia

Mr. Jean-Philippe De Schrevel, Founder & Managing Partner, Bamboo Capital

Ms. Kruskaia Sierra-Escalante, Acting Director / Senior Manager, Blended Finance, International Finance Corporation

Innovative Financing for Peace: Finding new solutions to meet local peacebuilding needs

Blended finance and peacebuilding

*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. 
