Convergence Indo-Pacific NGO Blended Finance Accelerator

Enriched government · Found: 2026-03-14 20:40

Australian DFAT + Convergence. AUD 300K-840K grants for NGOs designing blended finance. Indonesia, Vietnam eligible. Q2 2026 intake tentative.

Source: https://www.convergence.finance/accelerator/dfatngo

Funding Details

Funder

Convergence Blended Finance / Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

Funding Goal

Catalytic grant funding and acceleration support for NGOs to design and scale blended finance vehicles that unlock private capital for climate action and gender equality in the Indo-Pacific. Grants cover scoping and feasibility (Stage 1), proof-of-concept and pilot (Stage 2), and scale-up and expansion (Stage 3) of blended finance structures such as funds, project finance vehicles, bonds, results-based financing, or other financial instruments.

Funding Amount

Stage 1 (Scoping/Feasibility): up to AUD 300,000 (~USD 200,000); Stage 2 (Proof-of-Concept/Pilot): up to AUD 840,000 (~USD 550,000); Stage 3 (Scale-up): amount not specified. Disbursed in AUD. Total programme: AUD 10 million over five years. (up to 550.000 €)

Deadline

Unknown (periodic)

How to Apply

Applications submitted via the Convergence platform. A first call for proposals prioritises Stage 2 and Stage 3 solutions, though Stage 1 applicants are also eligible. Application details and evaluation criteria available at convergence.finance/accelerator/dfatngo. An information session was held on November 13, 2025.

Target Region

Indo-Pacific: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific Island Nations, Pakistan, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Sri Lanka. Applicant can be based anywhere.

Last Checked

2026-04-21 06:25

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be an NGO (applying independently or in consortium)
• NGO must have a material role in the blended finance vehicle (fund manager, pipeline originator, technical assistance provider, etc.)
• Stage 2 applicants must have completed feasibility work and secured at least 1 hard/soft investor commitment
• Stage 3 applicants must have investment-ready or launched vehicle with anchor investment and key implementation partners committed

Project Scope

• Blended finance vehicle must target one or more DFAT-approved Indo-Pacific ODA-eligible countries
• Focus must be on Climate Action (SDG 7/11/12/13/14/15) and/or Gender Equality (SDG 5)

Required Documents

• Evidence of Board/internal management support to participate in blended finance required

Constraints

• Vehicle must demonstrate potential to mobilise commercial/private capital at scale

Summary

The Indo-Pacific NGO Blended Finance Accelerator is a five-year, AUD 10 million initiative launched by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in partnership with Convergence Blended Finance. The programme supports NGOs to design and scale blended finance vehicles that unlock private capital for climate action and gender equality in the Indo-Pacific. Thematically, the programme covers climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, and gender equality. Eligible focus sectors are Climate Action (aligned with SDG 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15) and/or Gender Equality (SDG 5). Environmental and social impact for underserved groups is a priority. Eligible activities include: scoping and feasibility studies for blended finance vehicles (Stage 1); advancing financial and legal structuring, investor outreach, and piloting investments (Stage 2); scaling up vehicles to reach target investment size and securing additional investor commitments (Stage 3). Eligible vehicle types include funds, project finance vehicles, private companies, bonds, results-based financing, facilities, and other financial instruments. Geographically, the blended finance vehicle must target one or more Indo-Pacific ODA-eligible countries from DFAT's approved list. The applicant organisation can be based anywhere in the world. Eligible applicants are NGOs applying independently or in consortium. The NGO must play a material role (fund manager, pipeline originator, technical assistance provider). Evidence of board support and relevant experience is required. Target beneficiaries are underserved communities in Indo-Pacific countries, with a focus on women, indigenous people, and people with disabilities in frontier and least-developed markets. Grant amounts: Stage 1 up to AUD 300,000; Stage 2 up to AUD 840,000; Stage 3 amounts not specified. Non-repayable grants at Stage 1; non-repayable or conditionally repayable at Stage 2 and 3. Acceleration support (training, data, peer learning, investor introductions, technical feedback) is provided alongside grants.

Historical Context

Five-year programme launched by DFAT in partnership with Convergence Blended Finance with a total budget of AUD 10 million. The Accelerator is part of the broader Convergence Blended Finance Accelerator platform (formerly Design Funding). Previous portfolio examples include Conservation International's RISCO, The Nature Conservancy's Blue Bond, and Wildlife Conservation Society's BBS Landscape Fund.

Why it was added

grant-scan-2026-03-14-alternative-finance

Sources

• https://www.convergence.finance/accelerator/dfatngo

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