Convergence — Indo-Pacific NGO Blended Finance Accelerator (DFAT)
Enriched multilateral · Found: 2026-03-14 21:42
DFAT Australia-funded accelerator providing catalytic grants (up to AUD 300K-840K) to NGOs designing blended finance vehicles for climate action and gender equality in Indonesia, Vietnam, and other Indo-Pacific countries. Second call expected Q2 2026.
Source: https://www.convergence.finance/accelerator/dfatngo/apply
Funding Details
- Funder
- Convergence Blended Finance / Australian DFAT
- Funding Goal
- Support NGOs to design and scale blended finance solutions that unlock private capital for climate action and gender equality initiatives in the Indo-Pacific. Catalytic grants cover scoping and feasibility, proof-of-concept and pilot, and scale-up/expansion of blended finance vehicles. Acceleration support includes training, analytics, peer-learning, and investor introductions.
- 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/Expansion): amount not publicly specified. Disbursed in AUD. (up to 550.000 €)
- Deadline
- 2026-06-01 (periodic)
- How to Apply
- Expression of Interest (EOI) submitted via Submittable platform. First call EOI deadline was 18 November 2025; full proposals by invitation only, tentative deadline 15 December 2025. Second call for proposals will launch on 1 June 2026. Multi-stage process: EOI -> Full Proposal (by invitation) -> Pre-Due Diligence -> Due Diligence -> Investment Committee -> Final Board Approval -> Contracting.
- Target Region
- Indo-Pacific ODA-eligible countries only. Applicant organisation may be based anywhere.
- Contact
- Convergence Blended Finance — LinkedIn and mailing list updates available. News at convergence.finance/news
- Official Page
- https://www.convergence.finance/accelerator/dfatngo
- Last Checked
- 2026-04-21 04:58
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Constraints
Summary
The Indo-Pacific NGO Blended Finance Accelerator is a five-year, AUD 10 million (approximately USD 6.5 million) programme funded by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and implemented by Convergence Blended Finance. It is specifically designed to help NGOs enter the blended finance space by designing and launching financial vehicles that mobilise private capital for development impact. Thematic scope is focused on two impact themes: climate action (covering mitigation, adaptation, or both, aligned with SDGs 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 — including SDG 14 Life Below Water and SDG 15 Life on Land) and gender equality (SDG 5, and gender-climate nexus). Proposals must clearly align with at least one of these two themes. Eligible activities cover the design and implementation of blended finance vehicles — funds, project finance vehicles, bonds, results-based financing facilities, or other financial instruments. Eligible stages include: Stage 1 scoping and feasibility (market scoping, structuring, stakeholder consultations), Stage 2 proof-of-concept and piloting (legal structuring, investor fundraising, pipeline development), and Stage 3 scale-up and expansion (operational funding, investor commitments, GP capital contributions). Non-repayable and conditionally repayable grants are available. Geographic scope is restricted to eligible Indo-Pacific ODA countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific Islands (Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, etc.), Pakistan, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. 100% of the vehicle's target portfolio must be in eligible countries (up to 20% flexibility for other ODA-eligible Indo-Pacific countries). Eligible applicants are NGOs applying individually or in consortium, with a material role in the blended finance vehicle design and management. Track record in relevant geographies and sectors is required. Internal board/management endorsement is mandatory prior to application. Grant amounts: Stage 1 up to AUD 300,000; Stage 2 up to AUD 840,000; Stage 3 amounts not specified. All disbursements are in AUD. The second call launches 1 June 2026.
Historical Context
Five-year, AUD 10 million initiative launched by DFAT in partnership with Convergence Blended Finance. First call for proposals closed November 2025. Second call launches June 1, 2026. Programme builds on Convergence's broader accelerator portfolio including grants to Conservation International (RISCO), The Nature Conservancy (Blue Bond), and Wildlife Conservation Society (BBS Landscape Fund).
Why it was added
grant-scan-list2-2026-03-14
Sources
- https://www.convergence.finance/accelerator/dfatngo/apply
- https://www.convergence.finance/accelerator/dfatngo
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