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 160 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, SOS Children’s Villages, and Refugee Investment Network.

IIBF runs as an open program (based upon application) at its home base at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. It builds on the extensive academic and practical expertise of Roots of Impact, Convergence and the Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP).

Impact Investment & Blended Finance Executive Program 2023

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

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__Member Training: Do I need an Advisor? Insights from Advisory Firms in Blended Finance, March 29th, 9am – 10:30am EDT (GMT-4)__

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This seminar will kick off a new series of trainings aimed at providing practical knowledge on blended finance based on our members' most frequent questions. Over 1.5 hours (90 minutes), this interactive seminar will cover what to look for in an advisory firm and when to know outside expertise is required. We will also do a deep dive into real-life examples of blended transactions that were supported by intermediaries/advisory firms and how their expertise was essential to their success. 

*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 USD100.*

Member Training: Do I need an Advisor? Insights from Advisory Firms in Blended Finance.

Convergence Eventbrite

Convergence is launching a new webinar series called “Investor Insights” to provide investors with an opportunity to engage with other Convergence members who are fundraising for blended finance transactions and to become more familiar with the scope of transactions on our live deal platform.

The inaugural session will feature three organizations from our Convergence community and:

- Insights on blended finance trends.
- An overview of each member organization and solution; including the development challenges being tackled, details of the proposed blended finance structure and the intended impact.
- Open Q&A with the audience.

*This series is exclusive to Convergence’s investor members.*

Investor Insights

Join us for our inaugural “Investor Insights” where we will be giving our investor members an opportunity to meet and learn more about the organizations that have transactions on our live deal platform.

Member Networking Event

__Convergence Member Networking Reception in Washington DC, Friday, February 3rd, 9:00am - 10:30am EST__

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Responding to a high demand for in-person events - please join us for a casual breakfast bringing together our DC-based Convergence member network and partners. This event will be an opportunity to reconnect with fellow members, make new contacts and exchange ideas. Venue: Embassy of Canada to the United States. 

Please note this event is invite-only from the Embassy of Canada to the United States and therefore is no registration via the Convergence website. Please contact alicia.maitland@convergence.finance with any questions. 

Convergence Member Networking Breakfast in Washington DC

Join us for a breakfast event in Washington DC. Please note this event is invite-only.

Networking Breakfast in Washington DC

__Convergence Member Networking Reception in Amsterdam, Thursday, February 2nd, 5:30pm - 7:30pm CET__

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Please join us for a drinks and snacks with Convergence members and partners. Chat with impact investors, institutional investors, donors, development banks, and sponsors of blended finance deals. Venue: Cafe de Schreierstoren, a 4min walk from Amsterdam's main train station. 

Registration is open on a first come first served basis, with a maximum of two representatives per organization.

Convergence Member Networking Drinks in Amsterdam

Join us for a drinks and snacks in Amsterdam.

Networking Drinks in Amsterdam

__Convergence Member Networking Reception in London, Tuesday, January 31st, 9am - 10:30am GMT__

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Please join us for a light breakfast and networking session with Convergence members and partners. Chat with 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. 

Registration is open on a first come first served basis, with a maximum of two representatives per organization.

Convergence Member Networking Breakfast in London

Join us for a light breakfast and networking session at PIDG headquarters in London.

Networking Breakfast in London

__Blended Finance for the Health Sector: Opportunities, Challenges and Latest Trends, January 18th, 9am – 11:00am EDT (GMT-4)__

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The urgency of achieving SDG 3 (Good Health) by 2030 remains acute. Despite gradual improvements in poverty rates worldwide over the past quarter century, many lower income countries simply don’t have large enough budgets or tax bases to pay for the health services that their most vulnerable citizens need.  Amid climate change, looming infectious disease threats, and a ballooning global population, the need is only increasing.  

The good news is that the community of impact-focused investors has grown, and a variety of innovative, ad hoc “blended finance” approaches have sprung up.  Yet, the health sector still comprises a small proportion of the blended finance portfolio globally. With a few exceptions for investments in pharmaceuticals, medical technology and private health care clinics, institutional investors generally prefer more mature and commercially viable critical infrastructure sectors like energy and transport to health and education, but blended finance can de-risk vehicles and attract private sector investors and guarantors to these more emergent and fragile sectors.

This event will examine some of the most topical issues related to blended finance in the health care sector. In the first hour, we will invite an expert panel for a discussion on impact bonds: from the structure of impact bonds to the elements that are needed for institutional investors to start considering these financial instruments more seriously. The final hour of the training will highlight some additional examples of successful blended finance instruments in the health space with in-depth case study presentations, including time for audience Q&A.

*Registration is now open*

*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.*

Blended Finance for the Health Sector: Opportunities, Challenges and Latest Trends

Blended Finance and Health

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## Fundamentals of Blended Finance: January 16, 2023, 10:00am – 11:00am

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Location: Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana, Abu Dhabi (complimentary self-parking), Room 2-3

RSVP: contact@uicca.ae

What is blended finance and how does it differ from impact investing and public private partnerships? What are key characteristics of a blended finance transaction? How does blended finance mitigate risks? This session will provide participants with a solid understanding of the principles, practices, and key features of blended finance solutions and include insights on key policy trends. 

Speaker:
- Joan Larrea, CEO, Convergence Blended Finance 

## Anatomy of a Deal (Catalyst Investment Management): January 17, 2023, 10:00am – 11:00am

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Location: Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana, Abu Dhabi (complimentary self-parking), Room 2-3

RSVP: contact@uicca.ae

A deep dive into a MENA focused blended finance transaction, allowing participants to engage with the deal sponsor on their experience in structuring and executing a blended finance transaction. The session will also focus on profiling climate finance-related innovations in MENA from the perspective of practitioners in the field. 

Speakers: 
- Ennis Rimawi, Managing Director, Catalyst Investment Management
- Joan Larrea, CEO, Convergence Blended Finance 

## The Enabling Environment for Blended Finance: January 18, 2023, 10:00am – 11:00am

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Location: Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana, Abu Dhabi (complimentary self-parking), Room 2-3

RSVP: contact@uicca.ae

This session will provide UAE's public sector with the opportunity to learn from other countries’ experience in establishing a policy environment that is conducive for successful blended finance transactions, including policy and regulatory options, institutional approaches, and challenges and opportunities. The facilitators and guest speakers will share blended finance initiatives developed by African Guarantee Fund, the Development Bank of Rwanda, and Africa GreenCo.

Speakers: 
- Ana Hajduka, Founder and CEO, Africa GreenCo
- Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer, African Guarantee Fund
- Blaise Pascal Gasabira, Head of Strategy Research M&E and Resource Mobilization, Development Bank of Rwanda

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week: Introducing Blended Finance to the MENA Region

Join Convergence and UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators for 3 sessions exploring blended finance in the MENA region during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Introducing Blended Finance to the MENA Region

__Wednesday December 14, 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 Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF). EAIF is a blended multi-donor fund that operates as a specialized development finance institution (DFI), dedicated to financing private infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

EAIF was established in 2002 with an innovative capital structure, blending senior debt with subordinated debt and first-loss equity layers. Since inception, EAIF's capital distribution has fluctuated and in 2013, the subordinated debt layer was consolidated into the senior tranche.
Nearly half of EAIF’s capital is invested in the least developed countries.

This hour-long webinar will include:

- An overview of the fund design and fundraising experience from the EAIF team
- Convergence-led Interview with key stakeholders involved in the transaction on lessons learned
- 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: [Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund Case Study](https://www.convergence.finance/resource/emerging-africa-infrastructure-fund-case-study/view)

Inside the Deal: Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund

Convergence, EAIF Case Study, 2018.pdf

Case study inside the deal Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund blended finance

__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 

__November 23rd, 2022, from 2:00pm-4:00pm CET__

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__About the prize__

UBS Optimus Foundation in partnership with Convergence have launched the Tertiary Education Financing prize to identify solutions that have been implemented and 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.

__Pitch day__

The prize has received a number of interesting applications and those with the most promising student financing solutions will be shortlisted as semi-finalists and invited to participate at the pitch day. 

Join us at the pitch day to get the opportunity to see live pitches from our semi-finalists and learn about some of the most innovative student financing solutions in the tertiary education space. We will also be joined by a panel of experts in the education finance space who will be judging the solutions and recommending those moving forward as finalists of the prize. 

__Judges__

- Nina Arnohld, Global Lead Tertiary Education and Lead Education Specialist, World Bank
- Amitabh Brar, Independent Education Finance Specialist
- Chetan Tolia, Head of UBS Next
- Oriana Ponta, Education Program Director, UBS Optimus Foundation
- Tasos Zavitsanakis, Head of Sustainable Finance Greater China, UBS APAC Sustainable Finance Office

__About UBS Optimus Foundation__

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. 


Tertiary Education Financing Prize: Pitch Day

Join UBS Optimus Foundation and Convergence for the Tertiary Education Financing Prize: Pitch Day.

Convergence Logo

__How Impact-linked Finance Can Help Transform Agricultural Supply Chains -  
Tuesday, November 22, 2022, 5pm - 6pm CET__

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Over the past few years, a range of new funding mechanisms have emerged. Impact investment is in full swing. Blended & catalytic finance has extended its scope of action from developing countries to across the globe and Impact bonds (SIB / DIB) have started multiplying. Sustainability-linked loans and bonds have expanded dramatically. Voluntary Carbon Markets have gained traction and are expected to grow tremendously in the next decade.

In the meantime, the transition towards regenerative agriculture has been proven to be both absolutely necessary and progressing much too slowly.

Hence the following critical questions: what are the investment strategies that enable the transformation of agricultural chains by changing drastically their environmental impact, and helping small-scale farmers improve their livelihoods? How can innovative financial solutions unlock opportunities for agricultural supply chains to become more responsible and resilient? How do we raise awareness and ease concerns around such emerging funding mechanisms? How can they be made more inclusive while creating real social and environmental impact?

Moderated by Raphael Hara, this webinar will explore emerging impact-based finance mechanisms and their role in accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture. Along with hands on practitioners, we will examine how collective intelligence coupled with impact focus and blended finance can foster more sustainable, resilient and regenerative economic systems

Our distinguished guest speakers for this webinar will be:

- Regina Rossmann, Senior Associate, Convergence Blended Finance

- Marie-Aimée Boury, Head of Impact-based Finance, Société Générale CIB

- Jyoti Banerjee, Co-Founder, North Star Transition


How Impact-linked Finance Can Help Transform Agricultural Supply Chains

Moderated by Raphael Hara, this webinar will explore emerging impact-based finance mechanisms and their role in accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture. Along with hands on practitioners, we will examine how collective intelligence coupled with impact focus and blended finance can foster more sustainable, resilient and regenerative economic systems.