Convergence Eventbrite

__Thursday, November 11 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 commercial investors in the blended finance ecosystem
- The rationale and considerations for commercial investors to 1) leverage blended finance as a structuring approach and 2) participate in blended finance transactions 
- Case studies on blended finance transactions with commercial investor  participation
- Recommendations on how best to actively engage and mobilize commercial capital into transactions  

To date a majority of commercial investment in blended finance has been on an opportunistic basis, with little sustained movement towards strategic and scaleable capital. Current stable blended finance flows will mobilize “billions to billions” rather than “billions to trillions” largely due to the under-participation of commercial investors in blended finance. As a part of 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 commercial investors have participated. 

This is the fourth 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 Commercial Investors Blend (Asia/West Coast)

'How Commercial Investors Blend' is the third training in Convergence's series "How Investor Types Blend".

How Commercial Investors Blend, Asia/West Coast

__Wednesday, November 10 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 commercial investors in the blended finance ecosystem
- The rationale and considerations for commercial investors to 1) leverage blended finance as a structuring approach and 2) participate in blended finance transactions 
- Case studies on blended finance transactions with commercial investor participation
- Recommendations on how best to actively engage and mobilize commercial capital into transactions  

To date a majority of commercial investment in blended finance has been on an opportunistic basis, with little sustained movement towards strategic and scaleable capital. Current stable blended finance flows will mobilize “billions to billions” rather than “billions to trillions” largely due to the under-participation of commercial investors in blended finance. As a part of 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 commercial investors have participated. 

This is the fourth 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 Commercial Investors Blend (Europe/East Coast)

'How Commercial Investors Blend' is the fourth training in Convergence's series "How Investor Types Blend".

How commercial investors blend (Europe/East Coast)

We invite you to join us virtually for the launch of the 5th edition of the State of Blended Finance on __Wednesday, October 27th at 9:00 - 10:00 am EST__. The State of Blended Finance is Convergence’s annual report on blended finance trends, opportunities, and challenges.

This year's report provides an updated analysis of the blended finance market, including blending approaches, sectors, regions and investor trends. For the first time, the report will also include a thematic focus on how to achieve scale in the blended finance market, highlighting key challenges and recommendations. The report will include guest op-eds from prominent stakeholders (e.g. BlackRock, USAID, IFC) in the blended finance market, including development agencies, MDBs and DFIs, think tanks, and private investors.

In the meantime, you can see the last edition of The State of Blended Finance [here](https://www.convergence.finance/blended-finance/2020). 

__Agenda__

9:00-9:05am: Welcome remarks - Joan Larrea, CEO, Convergence

9:05-9:25am: Presentation of key highlights of the report - Convergence Content Team

9:25-9:30am: Q&A

9:30-9:35am: Challenges facing blended finance - Joan Larrea, CEO, Convergence

9:35-10:15am: Panel discussion moderated by Joan Larrea

Panellists:

__Cameron Khosrowshashi__, Senior Investment Advisor, Prosper Africa

__Kruskaia Sierra-Escalante__, Senior Manager, International Finance Corporation (IFC)

__Chinua Azubike__, CEO, InfraCredit Nigeria

__Nancy Lee__, Senior Policy Fellow, Center for Global Development (CGDEV)

__Rael McNally__, Senior Portfolio Manager, Global Renewable Power, BlackRock

10:15-10:25am: Q&A

10:25-10:30am: Closing remarks - Joan Larrea, CEO, Convergence

State of Blended Finance 2021 report launch

5th edition of The State of Blended Finance on __Wednesday, October 27th at 9:00 am EST__. The State of Blended Finance is Convergence’s annual report on blended finance trends, opportunities, and challenges.

State of Blended Finance 2021 launch

__Wednesday, September 29 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 donor agencies in the blended finance ecosystem
- The rationale and considerations for donor agencies to use blended finance as a structuring approach
- Case studies on blended finance transactions with donor agency participation
- Recommendations on how best to actively engage and mobilize donor capital into transactions  

Donor agencies are the most prominent actors in the blended finance ecosystem, accounting for over half of all transactions in the Convergence historical deals database. Over the last few years, donor governments have started to proactively organize themselves strategically and operationally to participate in blended finance transactions, refining key policies and approaches. As a part of 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 donor agencies have participated. 

This is the third 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 Donor Agencies Blend (Asia/West Coast)

'How Donor Agencies Blend' is the third training in Convergence's series "How Investor Types Blend".

How Donor Agencies Blend, Asia/West Coast

In June The President of Ghana launched [The Country Financing Roadmap](https://www.weforum.org/reports/country-financing-roadmap-for-the-sdgs-ghana), a strategic guide to leveraging private capital to achieve the SDGs.

Highlights from the report will be shared during this webinar organized by the SDGs Advisory Unit, Office of the President, in addition to a keynote by our Managing Director, Africa, [Ladé Araba](https://www.convergence.finance/about/team/5qoY2w7CUMeyE4wgAioiW2). The webinar will also feature a panel with:

- __Solomon Asamoah__, MD of Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (Infrastructure) 
- __Lina Osmond__, Regional Head of Sustainable Finance For MEA, Standard Chartered ( Sustainable Finance)
- __Gottfried Odamtten-Sowah__, Head of Programs- Agro-Processing & Agribusiness - Mastercard Foundation ( SME Development)
- __Yaw Asamoah__, Seasoned Managing Director, Global Financial Markets (Ghanaian with global presence) 

Achieving the SDGs through impact investing: The Critical role of FDI

CFR WEBINAR DRAFT PROGRAMME

Achieving the SDGs through impact investing

__Wednesday, September 8 - 10 2021, Zurich:__

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To use public funds more effectively and mobilize private investment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has become a key concern of many development agencies and donor organizations. While the idea to create blended finance models is compelling, one specific approach holds particular promise: empowering high impact enterprises with market-based solutions to scale and deliver positive impact in a sustainable way – a bottom-up approach.

This actionable, practice-driven program is specifically designed for providers of public or philanthropic funding, who strive to maximize the impact of their grants or investments and want to be on top of the most innovative solutions and trends. It includes outstanding lecturers, features inspiring live cases and received exceptional feedbacks in several program runs since inception in 2018.

The three day program will provide valuable insights on strategies and instruments to “leverage” own resources by blending it with private investment for small and growing businesses in developing and emerging countries. It will also shed light on the whole spectrum of finance for impact and international development. A specific focus will be on catalytic financing tools that are able to attract additional capital for high impact enterprises.

The program is organized by the [Initiative for Blended Finance at the University of Zurich](https://ibf-uzh.ch/education/), with program partners [Roots of Impact](https://www.roots-of-impact.org/), [Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth at the University of Zurich](https://www.csp.uzh.ch/en.html), and [Convergence](https://www.convergence.finance/).

*The program is booked out, but you can apply for our [waiting list](https://www.csp.uzh.ch/en/executive-education-training/professionals/impact-investing-blended-finance/iibf-2020-application-page0.html). If you have any questions, please reach out to Christina Moehrle (Education Lead): cmoehrle@roots-of-impact.org  
(We will closely oberserve COVID-related restrictions and inform about any changes on this site).*

Impact Investment & Blended Finance for Development Agencies and Foundations

IIBF Flyer

IIBF Agenda

Impact Investment Blended Finance 

__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)

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

__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