conference bw

__Approaches to Blending with Guarantees, November 30th, 9am – 11:00am EDT (GMT-4)__

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This seminar will focus on new and innovative approaches to blending with guarantees. Over 2 hours (120 minutes), this interactive seminar will cover concrete examples of guarantees in blended structures, challenges and benefits of this archetype from a multi-stakeholder perspective. 

*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. To claim these seats select 'Register' above and you will be directed to Eventbrite. Once there, choose 'Tickets' and enter the __promo code__ you received by email __above__ 'General Admission' for free access. Non-members can register for a fee of USD150.*

Approaches to Blending with Guarantees 

We invite you to join us virtually for the launch of the 6th edition of the State of Blended Finance on Wednesday, October 26th at 9:00 am EST. The State of Blended Finance is Convergence’s annual report on blended finance trends, opportunities, and challenges. 

Given the growing urgency for climate action, this year's report will focus on blended finance for climate, with an in-depth look at blended finance for mitigation and adaptation. The report will also explore challenges to and recommendations for scaling blended finance for climate, with expert commentary from Swiss Re, the Nature Conservancy, Shell Foundation, and much more.

While you wait for the launch, you can explore last year's report [here](https://www.convergence.finance/resource/the-state-of-blended-finance-2021/view).

__Agenda TBD__

2022 State of Blended Finance Virtual Launch

Convergence is launching the 6th edition of the State of Blended Finance Report on Wednesday, October 26th at 9:00 am EST. The State of Blended Finance is Convergence’s annual report on blended finance trends, opportunities, and challenges. This year's report will focus on blended finance for climate. 

2022 State of Blended Finance Launch

Houses (Stock images)

__Blended Finance for Affordable Housing Forum -  
Wednesday, October 19th, 9am – 10:30am EDT (GMT-4)__

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Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Reall, and Convergence are co-hosting an online learning session to showcase how blended finance can help narrow the financing gap for affordable housing, and explore new blended finance solutions in affordable housing in Africa and Asia.  

The session will include a summary of the current blended finance market, including the limited application to date for the affordable housing segment. It will also feature a presentation of Reall’s pioneering special purpose vehicle that aims to create partnerships between investors and affordable housing developers on the ground in Africa and Asia and enable Reall’s partners to scale up the construction of good quality, affordable homes for low-income households.

Speakers include:

- Sandeep Bedi, CEO of Janaadhar, an affordable housing and innovative technology construction company in Bengaluru, India 
- Yaw Afreh, CEO of Afreh Group, a socially and environmentally conscious real estate and built environment business from Ghana 
- Ian Shapiro, CEO of Reall 
- Chris Clubb, Managing Director, Europe, Convergence Blended Finance
- Ylva Schwinn, Program Specialist, WASH, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)

This forum is targeted at practitioners and advocates of affordable housing, innovative finance, blended finance, private investment mobilization and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Participation is open to all and free of charge.

Blended Finance for Affordable Housing Forum

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Reall, and Convergence are co-hosting an online learning session to showcase how blended finance can help narrow the financing gap for affordable housing, and explore new blended finance solutions in affordable housing in Africa and Asia. The session is targeted at practitioners and advocates of affordable housing, innovative finance, blended finance, private investment mobilization and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). 

Member Networking Event

__Convergence Member Networking Reception in The Hague, Tuesday, October 11th, 7pm - 8:30pm CET__

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We invite members to join us for snacks and drinks on the sidelines of the GIIN Investor Forum. Chat with other Convergence members, including impact investors, institutional investors, donors, development banks, and sponsors of blended finance deals. Convergence will present the latest trends in blended finance, and members will have ample time to exchange ideas and discuss blended finance initiatives. 
The reception will be held at the Humanity Hub Café, Fluwelen Burgwal 58, 2511 CJ The Hague, Netherlands.

Please note that you do not need to be registered to the GIIN Investor Forum in order to attend this event.

Convergence Member Networking Reception

Convergence is inviting members to join us for snacks and drinks at the Humanity Hub Café in The Hague.

Networking Reception in The Hague

Convergence Eventbrite

__Tuesday October 4, 2022, from 9-10am EST__

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 “Inside the deal” is our quarterly webinar series where we delve into the inner workings of real blended finance transactions. Each quarter, Convergence features a transaction from our [case study portfolio](https://www.convergence.finance/resource?filters=eyJyZXNvdXJjZUZvbGRlciI6IlJlc291cmNlcyIsImtleXdvcmQiOiIiLCJpbnN0cnVtZW50Rm9jdXMiOltdLCJzZWN0b3JzQW5kU3ViU2VjdG9ycyI6e30sInJlZ2lvbkZvY3VzIjpbXSwidGhlbWVGb2N1cyI6W10sInJlc291cmNlVHlwZSI6WyJDYXNlIFN0dWRpZXMiXSwidGFncyI6W119) and gives members an opportunity to candidly engage with the deal sponsor on their experience structuring the transaction.  

This webinar will focus on the Medical Credit Fund. The Medical Credit Fund is the first  and only debt fund dedicated to financing small- and medium-sized enterprises in the health sector (“health SMEs”) in Africa. Medical Credit Fund 1 (MCF 1) was established in 2009 and has an innovative ‘layered capital’ structure, blending catalytic firstloss capital, technical assistance grants, and debt financing. MCF1 provides local currency loans (in partnership with financial intermediaries and directly) alongside technical assistance grants, to ensure that the financing improves the quantity and quality of healthcare services available across Africa. A second fund MCF 2 has also been launched, and builds on the lessons from MCF 1.

This hour-long workshop will include:

- An overview of the fund design and fundraising experience from the MCF team
- Convergence-led Interview with key stakeholders involved in the transaction to discuss lessons learned thus far
- Open Q&A with audience

*This member-only, in-depth case-study series  has limited space to ensure a personal, intensive, and practice-driven learning experience. Each Convergence member organization has two complimentary seats to this session.* 

Recommended pre-reading: [Medical Credit Fund Case Study](https://www.convergence.finance/resource/medical-credit-fund-case-study/view)

Inside the Deal: Medical Credit Fund

Convergence, Medical Credit Fund Case Study, 2019.pdf

Case study inside the deal Medical Credit Fund blended finance

lonely road

__Measuring Success: Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact in Blended Finance -  Wednesday, September 28th, 9am – 11:00am EDT (GMT-4)__

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This seminar will focus where investors and investees alike struggle in blended finance: demonstrating tangible, on-the-ground impact. Over 2 hours (120 minutes), this interactive seminar will cover concrete examples of M&E in blended structures as well as how all stakeholders can be aligned towards the same goals and objectives to maximize impact.  

*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. To claim these seats select 'Register' above and you will be directed to Eventbrite. Once there, choose 'Tickets' and enter the __promo code__ you received by email __above__ 'General Admission' for free access. Non-members can register for a fee of USD150.*

Measuring Success: Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact in Blended Finance

Monitoring and Evaluation in Blended Finance

Picture11

__Convergence Member Breakfast in New York, Tuesday, September 20th, 8am - 10am EDT (GMT-4)__

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Join us for Convergence’s invitation-only breakfast and networking event on Tuesday September 20th, taking place alongside the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. Participants will be shown an exclusive preview of Convergence’s flagship publication, The State of Blended Finance 2022, and have ample time to connect with Convergence’s team as well as members and partners from our broad network. 

*Please note registration is at 8am, with programming beginning at 8:30am and proof of vaccination against COVID-19 will be required*

Convergence Member Breakfast in New York 

UBS Education Prize

__Thursday, September 15th, 2022, from 9:00 am-10:00am SGT__

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UBS Optimus Foundation in partnership with Convergence have launched the [Tertiary Education Financing Prize](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/education-financing-prize) to identify solutions that provide inclusive, fair, and affordable financing to students in tertiary education in low- and lower-middle-income countries. The prize will consist of up to four grants of at least USD 250,000 each.

The prize will identify the best student financing solutions in the market that are scalable and contribute to greatly increasing funding for tertiary education, so that more young people in emerging markets have access to high-quality education in areas that will have good employment opportunities in the future.

Register for the webinar today to:
- Learn how the grants will be awarded to support better education and employment outcomes
- Hear about real life examples of financing solutions targeting tertiary education
- Gain insights into how to apply and evaluation criteria
- Get your questions about the prize answered

UBS Optimus Foundation is a grant-making foundation that offers UBS clients a platform to use their wealth to drive positive social and environmental change. The Foundation selects programs that improve children’s health, education and protection, ones that have the potential to be transformative, scalable and sustainable as well as programs tackling environmental and climate issues.

The call for applications is now open and the submission deadline is __October 24th, 2022__. Click [here](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/education-financing-prize) to apply.

Info Session: Tertiary Education Financing Prize (Asia-Pacific)

Learn about the new Tertiary Education Financing Prize

__Wednesday, September 14th, 2022, from 9:00 am-10:00am EDT__

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UBS Optimus Foundation in partnership with Convergence have launched the [Tertiary Education Financing Prize](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/education-financing-prize) to identify solutions that provide inclusive, fair, and affordable financing to students in tertiary education in low- and lower-middle-income countries. The prize will consist of up to four grants of at least USD 250,000 each.

The prize will identify the best student financing solutions in the market that are scalable and contribute to greatly increasing funding for tertiary education, so that more young people in emerging markets have access to high-quality education in areas that will have good employment opportunities in the future.

Register for the webinar today to:
- Learn how the grants will be awarded to support better education and employment outcomes
- Hear about real life examples of financing solutions targeting tertiary education
- Gain insights into how to apply and evaluation criteria
- Get your questions about the prize answered

UBS Optimus Foundation is a grant-making foundation that offers UBS clients a platform to use their wealth to drive positive social and environmental change. The Foundation selects programs that improve children’s health, education and protection, ones that have the potential to be transformative, scalable and sustainable as well as programs tackling environmental and climate issues.

The call for applications is now open and the submission deadline is __October 24th, 2022__. Click [here](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/education-financing-prize) to apply.

Info Session: Tertiary Education Financing Prize (Europe/Americas)

macro-econ panel update 3

__Thursday, September 8th, 2022, from 9:00 am-10:15am EST__

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We live in a tumultuous time. The war in Ukraine continues to rage, leading to mounting death and destruction within the country and impacting food systems globally, all while COVID-19 still affects populations and disrupts economies worldwide. This has led to rampant inflation, which has tightened pocketbooks and affected aid budgets.

What happens when public sector funding becomes increasingly limited due to tighter fiscal policies? What can be done differently to deploy limited resources more efficiently? Can domestic resources in developing countries be mobilized locally and leveraged? What happens when higher inflation (globally) diminishes the real return on investments? What does this mean for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as we find ourselves eight years from 2030?

Convergence will be hosting a webinar to provide an overview of the current economic conditions, challenges and opportunities and seek to understand what this macro-economic environment means for blended finance and for different actors in this space.

Our panel will feature:

__Joan Larrea__, Moderator, Chief Executive Officer, Convergence

__Leonce Ndikumana__, Distinguished Professor of Economics, UMass Amherst & Director African Development Policy Program, PERI

__Neil Gregory__, Thought Leader on Private Finance for Development & Lecturer SAIS, Johns Hopkins University

__Matthieu Pegon__, Head of Blended Finance, IDB Invest

__El-hadj Bah__, Chief Policy Economist, African Development Bank Group

What does today’s Macro-Economic outlook mean for Blended Finance?

A webinar providing an overview of the current economic conditions, challenges and opportunities to help understand what this macro-economic environment means for blended finance.

Macro-Economics and Blended Finance

In partnership with [Roots of Impact](http://www.roots-of-impact.org/) and the [Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP)](https://www.csp.uzh.ch/en.html) at the University of Zurich this is an actionable, practice-driven executive program.

The program aims at empowering public, philanthropic and private sector funders to collaborate effectively to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. A special ingredient are solutions that demonstrate how to enable high-impact enterprises with market-based solutions to scale and deliver positive impact in a sustainable way – a bottom-up approach. Our more than 130 IIBF alumni to date come from major organisations across the globe, e.g. UNDP, USAID, SDC/DEZA, GIZ, Global Affairs Canada, IFC, SECO, FAO as well as renowned foundations or NGOs such as UNICEF, Shell Foundation, Aqua for All, Menomadin Foundation, and Refugee Investment Network.

IIBF typically runs as an open program (based upon application) at its home base at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. It is also offered as a client-specific iteration in selected locations (e.g. 2 previous program runs for UNDP Egypt and UNDP Jordan). IIBF was designed and implemented based on the experience of close to 50 in-house trainings offered and held by program partner Roots of Impact since 2017. In addition, it builds on the extensive academic and practical expertise of Convergence and the Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP).

Impact Investment & Blended Finance Executive Program

This actionable, practice-driven executive program aims at empowering public, philanthropic and private sector funders to collaborate effectively to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Executive program for impact investment and blended finance

Design Funding 101 August 2022

__Thursday, August 25th, 2022, from 9:00 am-10:00am SGT__

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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 grant applications for multiple Design Funding windows, including the [Asia Natural Capital Window](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/asia-natural-capital-open-window) for blended finance solutions focused on natural capital in Asia, and the [Gender-Responsive Climate Finance Window](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/open-window/gender-responsive-climate-finance-window) for solutions targeting the nexus of climate change and gender equality in emerging markets globally.

Register for the webinar to:
- Get your Design Funding questions answered
- Get insight into our decision-making process
- And, get advice on how to submit a successful application

John Layburn, Co-Founder and CFO, Alune, a consortium member of [Asia Aquaculture Facility](https://www.convergence.finance/design-funding/grant-portfolio/4OjCwfvW7ow5Lf9JUNiKAc/view), will be present to share their design funding application journey. John will present the Asia Aquaculture Facility and take part in the Q&A session to answer questions from prospective applicants.

__Applications for both windows are accepted on a rolling basis. The next submission deadlines for the windows are September 9, 2022 for the Gender Responsive Climate Finance Window and September 30, 2022 for the Asia Natural Capital Window.__

Design Funding 101 (Asia-Pacific)

Everything you need to know about Convergence’s Design Funding Program