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CFPs: Scaling Investable Solutions for Water and Ocean Resilience

Deadline: 12-Mar-2026

The Investment Window supports impact fund managers seeking to scale innovative, climate-focused investment strategies in ODA-eligible countries. Up to 7,250,000 CHF is available for up to three awardees, with priority for Asia and the Pacific and locally led fund management teams. Eligible investments must promote climate adaptation, water security, marine ecosystem resilience, and align with SDGs such as SDG 6, SDG 13, and SDG 14.

Program Overview

The Investment Window provides catalytic funding to impact investment fund managers who want to expand proven fund models and deploy capital toward climate resilience and sustainable ocean economies.

The initiative prioritizes:

  • Climate adaptation and resilience

  • Water resource sustainability

  • Marine ecosystem protection

  • Community livelihood strengthening

  • Climate risk reduction

The program targets countries eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA), with a preference for low-income and least-developed countries, particularly in Asia and the Pacific.

Strategic Objectives

The Investment Window aims to:

  1. Scale commercially viable impact investment funds.

  2. Strengthen climate resilience in vulnerable regions.

  3. Mobilize private capital alongside public-sector efforts.

  4. Deliver measurable environmental and social impact.

  5. Support gender equality as a cross-cutting accelerator of climate adaptation.

Projects must complement public-sector programs and avoid duplication of existing efforts.

Eligible Thematic Areas

Proposals must fall within one or more of the following priority sectors:

1. Sustainable Aquaculture & Coastal Livelihoods

  • Climate-resilient fisheries

  • Sustainable aquaculture systems

  • Income diversification for coastal communities

H3: 2. Nature-Based Coastal Protection & Restoration

  • Mangrove restoration

  • Coral reef protection

  • Ecosystem-based adaptation infrastructure

3. Water Security & Resource Efficiency

  • Climate-resilient water systems

  • Efficient irrigation and wastewater reuse

  • Integrated water resource management

4. Ocean Data & Monitoring

  • Marine data platforms

  • Climate risk modeling

  • Adaptive management tools

5. Climate Risk Finance

  • Insurance solutions

  • Resilience bonds

  • Blended finance strategies

  • Risk mitigation instruments integrated into fund structures

Funding Details

  • Maximum funding: 7,250,000 CHF

  • Number of awardees: Up to three

  • Geographic priority: ODA-eligible countries, especially Asia and the Pacific

  • Preference: Proposals led by local fund management teams in the region

Funding is intended to scale funds that demonstrate:

  • Commercial viability

  • Impact measurement frameworks

  • Clear theory of change

  • Investment readiness

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Projects must align with at least one of the following:

  • SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation

  • SDG 13 – Climate Action

  • SDG 14 – Life Below Water

Applicants should clearly define impact indicators and measurable outcomes linked to these SDGs.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must:

  • Be legally established entities

  • Be financially solvent (not bankrupt)

  • Be compliant with tax and fiscal obligations

  • Not be under legal sanctions

  • Not be excluded by the World Bank or other multilateral development banks

  • Submit a signed Declaration of Undertaking confirming eligibility

Not eligible:

  • Development Financial Institutions (DFIs)

  • Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs)

Why This Investment Window Matters

This initiative is important because it:

  • Mobilizes private capital for climate adaptation

  • Strengthens resilience in vulnerable coastal and water-dependent communities

  • Encourages innovative climate risk finance solutions

  • Promotes gender-inclusive climate investment

  • Bridges funding gaps in least-developed countries

It represents a strategic opportunity for impact fund managers to scale high-impact, climate-aligned investment vehicles.

How to Apply – Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm Organizational Eligibility

Ensure your entity:

  • Meets legal and financial requirements

  • Is not subject to sanctions or exclusion

  • Is not classified as a DFI or MDB

Step 2: Validate Geographic Focus

Confirm your target markets are ODA-eligible countries, preferably in Asia and the Pacific.

Step 3: Develop a Strong Investment Thesis

Your proposal should include:

  • Clear climate adaptation focus

  • Defined target sectors

  • Fund structure and governance model

  • Commercial viability strategy

  • Risk mitigation approach

  • Gender equality integration

  • Impact measurement framework aligned with SDGs

Step 4: Demonstrate Complementarity

Explain how your investment strategy complements public programs without duplication.

Step 5: Submit Declaration of Undertaking

Provide formal confirmation of eligibility and compliance.

Key Evaluation Criteria

Applications are likely to be assessed on:

  • Strategic alignment with climate adaptation goals

  • Measurable impact metrics

  • Commercial sustainability

  • Innovation in financial structuring

  • Strength of fund management team

  • Regional expertise and local leadership

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Lack of measurable impact indicators

  • Weak demonstration of commercial viability

  • Failure to align with SDGs

  • Targeting non-ODA countries

  • Overlapping with public-sector initiatives

  • Incomplete Declaration of Undertaking

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for the Investment Window?

Legally established impact fund managers that meet financial and compliance requirements.

2. What is the maximum funding available?

Up to 7,250,000 CHF, with up to three awardees selected.

3. Are multilateral development banks eligible?

No. MDBs and development financial institutions are not eligible.

4. Which countries are prioritized?

ODA-eligible countries, particularly low-income and least-developed countries in Asia and the Pacific.

5. Must projects align with the SDGs?

Yes. At least one of SDG 6, SDG 13, or SDG 14 must be clearly addressed.

6. Is gender equality required?

Gender equality is encouraged as a cross-cutting objective to strengthen climate adaptation outcomes.

7. What types of finance solutions are eligible?

Insurance solutions, resilience bonds, blended finance, and other climate risk finance mechanisms integrated into impact funds.

Conclusion

The Investment Window offers substantial catalytic funding for impact fund managers ready to scale climate-focused investment strategies in vulnerable regions. With up to 7,250,000 CHF available, the program prioritizes commercially viable, SDG-aligned funds that strengthen water security, marine resilience, and climate adaptation.

Fund managers with strong regional expertise, measurable impact frameworks, and innovative climate finance structures should prepare a robust, compliance-ready proposal to compete effectively for this opportunity.

For more information, visit SDG Impact Finance Initiative.