Name of the entity
Convergence, Global Affairs Canada
Type of Support Provider
Bilateral
Close Date
Climate Objective
Cross-cutting
Eligible to submit a proposal
Non-state actors (e.g., academic/research institutions, non-profits, etc.)
Private companies
Co-financing Requirement
No
Consortium Requirement
No
Funding Amount
USD 500,000
Sectors and Themes
Gender
Call Summary
The Gender-Responsive Climate Finance Window is now accepting Concept Notes for its Fall Round (Cycle 5) until August 30, 2024. Interested applicants can apply using the link below. Convergence will review all concept note submissions and will invite select applicants to submit a full proposal for funding consideration.
The Gender-Responsive Climate Finance Window, made possible with support from the Government of Canada, will award early-stage grant funding for the design and launch of innovative blended finance vehicles focused on the intersection of climate change and gender equality in emerging markets globally.
There has been a growing awareness of the climate-gender nexus over the past decade, but the field remains nascent. This Window aims to build the field by supporting a pipeline of climate-gender blended finance vehicles to reach bankability. Blended finance vehicles supported by the Window will be anchored by three key objectives:
1. The mobilization of private sector capital at scale to finance gender-responsive climate change mitigation and/or adaptation in emerging markets; AND
2. The integration of gender equality into the design, implementation, and operations of vehicles, rather than as a “bolt-on feature” or “nice-to-have”; AND
3. Strong alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) at the minimum.
Applicants can apply for feasibility study or proof-of-concept funding. Grants range between USD 40,000 to USD 190,000 for feasibility studies, and range between USD 190,000 to USD 500,000 for proof-of-concept.
The Gender-Responsive Climate Finance Window, made possible with support from the Government of Canada, will award early-stage grant funding for the design and launch of innovative blended finance vehicles focused on the intersection of climate change and gender equality in emerging markets globally.
There has been a growing awareness of the climate-gender nexus over the past decade, but the field remains nascent. This Window aims to build the field by supporting a pipeline of climate-gender blended finance vehicles to reach bankability. Blended finance vehicles supported by the Window will be anchored by three key objectives:
1. The mobilization of private sector capital at scale to finance gender-responsive climate change mitigation and/or adaptation in emerging markets; AND
2. The integration of gender equality into the design, implementation, and operations of vehicles, rather than as a “bolt-on feature” or “nice-to-have”; AND
3. Strong alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) at the minimum.
Applicants can apply for feasibility study or proof-of-concept funding. Grants range between USD 40,000 to USD 190,000 for feasibility studies, and range between USD 190,000 to USD 500,000 for proof-of-concept.
Eligibility Criteria
Theme: The proposal must be for the design and launch of a blended finance vehicle.
See the grant portfolio for examples of vehicles supported by Convergence under past Design Funding windows.
Vehicles MUST target either climate change mitigation and/or adaptation, AND integrate a strong gender equality focus.
Geography: Any emerging market(s), eligible to receive official development assistance (ODA) according to the OECD-DAC List of ODA Recipients.
Sector: Any sector(s) and sub-sector(s) aligned with climate change mitigation, adaptation and gender equality. For example, potential sectors and sub-sectors could include the following:
Climate Change Mitigation:
- Low-carbon transportation
- Renewable energy generation (on-grid and off-grid)
- Energy efficiency
- Agriculture, forestry and land use
- Natural resource management
- Energy transmission, storage, and distribution
Climate Change Adaptation:
- Sustainable/climate smart agriculture or aquaculture
- Climate-related insurance and disaster resilience
- Nature-based infrastructure
- Ecosystem-based adaptation
- Waste and wastewater management
Proposals are only accepted from organizations or consortiums of organizations. For example, eligible organizations could include asset owners, asset managers, advisory firms, foundations, not-for-profit organizations, and corporations. The lead organization must be able to provide 1) proof of incorporation, and 2) financial statements for the previous fiscal year.
Applicants are awarded funding in disbursements based on milestones, and are expected to meet reporting requirements, such as reporting on key challenges, learnings, and results on a regular basis. Learnings from the design stage will be synthesized into a public case study or learning brief and published to support market-wide learning.
See the grant portfolio for examples of vehicles supported by Convergence under past Design Funding windows.
Vehicles MUST target either climate change mitigation and/or adaptation, AND integrate a strong gender equality focus.
Geography: Any emerging market(s), eligible to receive official development assistance (ODA) according to the OECD-DAC List of ODA Recipients.
Sector: Any sector(s) and sub-sector(s) aligned with climate change mitigation, adaptation and gender equality. For example, potential sectors and sub-sectors could include the following:
Climate Change Mitigation:
- Low-carbon transportation
- Renewable energy generation (on-grid and off-grid)
- Energy efficiency
- Agriculture, forestry and land use
- Natural resource management
- Energy transmission, storage, and distribution
Climate Change Adaptation:
- Sustainable/climate smart agriculture or aquaculture
- Climate-related insurance and disaster resilience
- Nature-based infrastructure
- Ecosystem-based adaptation
- Waste and wastewater management
Proposals are only accepted from organizations or consortiums of organizations. For example, eligible organizations could include asset owners, asset managers, advisory firms, foundations, not-for-profit organizations, and corporations. The lead organization must be able to provide 1) proof of incorporation, and 2) financial statements for the previous fiscal year.
Applicants are awarded funding in disbursements based on milestones, and are expected to meet reporting requirements, such as reporting on key challenges, learnings, and results on a regular basis. Learnings from the design stage will be synthesized into a public case study or learning brief and published to support market-wide learning.