Grant Funding and Acceleration Support for Climate and Gender Equality Initiatives

Deadline: 20-Jul-2026

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in partnership with Convergence Blended Finance, has launched the Indo-Pacific NGO Blended Finance Accelerator to help NGOs unlock private investment for climate action and gender equality initiatives across the Indo-Pacific region.

The five-year AUD 10 million initiative provides catalytic grant funding and acceleration support to help NGOs design and scale blended finance solutions that deliver environmental and social impact while mobilizing commercial capital.

Focus Areas

The Accelerator supports blended finance initiatives focused on:

• Climate change mitigation
• Climate adaptation
• Clean energy
• Sustainable cities
• Responsible consumption
• Life below water
• Life on land
• Gender equality
• Financial inclusion
• Healthcare
• Education

The programme also prioritises projects that integrate gender equality into:

• Financial vehicle design
• Governance systems
• Investment operations
• Development outcomes

Funding Support

Funding available under the programme includes:

• Up to AUD 300,000 (~USD 200,000)
• Up to AUD 840,000 (~USD 550,000)

Support includes:

• Catalytic grants
• Technical assistance
• Acceleration support
• Blended finance capacity building
• Investor engagement support

What is the Programme Supporting?

The Accelerator helps NGOs create and scale blended finance vehicles such as:

• Investment funds
• Project finance vehicles
• Private companies
• Bonds
• Financing facilities
• Results-based financing mechanisms

The programme also supports NGOs in:

• Investment pipeline origination
• Impact management
• Technical assistance delivery
• Fund management activities
• Private investor engagement

Why This Initiative Matters

The initiative addresses major barriers preventing NGOs from participating in blended finance markets, including:

• Limited understanding of blended finance structures
• Insufficient technical expertise
• Governance and resource constraints
• Limited investor access
• Lack of financial structuring capacity

The programme aims to strengthen NGO participation in sustainable finance and increase private capital mobilization for development impact.

Eligible Countries

Projects must target one or more eligible Indo-Pacific countries, including:

• Bangladesh
• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Mongolia
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Timor-Leste
• Vietnam
• Sri Lanka
• Pacific Island nations

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• NGOs applying independently
• NGOs applying with consortium partners

Applicants must:

• Play a substantive role in the blended finance vehicle
• Demonstrate internal leadership support
• Show governance readiness for blended finance participation
• Engage relevant stakeholders and investors

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Development impact
• Scalability and replicability
• Additionality
• Gender equality considerations
• Fundraising potential
• Stakeholder engagement
• Governance strength
• Track record and implementation capacity

The programme strongly prioritises projects that:

• Mobilize private and commercial capital
• Deliver measurable environmental and social outcomes
• Support underserved communities
• Promote financial sustainability
• Engage investors actively

How to Apply

Applicants should:

1. Develop a blended finance concept aligned with programme priorities
2. Identify eligible target countries and sectors
3. Build partnerships with stakeholders and investors
4. Demonstrate governance and internal leadership support
5. Prepare a scalable and financially sustainable proposal
6. Submit the application according to programme guidelines

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Weak investor engagement strategies
• Limited financial sustainability planning
• Unclear governance structures
• Insufficient development impact evidence
• Lack of gender integration
• Weak scalability potential

FAQ

• What is the total size of the programme?
  • The Indo-Pacific NGO Blended Finance Accelerator is a five-year AUD 10 million initiative.
• How much funding can applicants receive?
  • Funding ranges from:
    • Up to AUD 300,000
    • Up to AUD 840,000
• Who can apply?
  • Eligible applicants include:
    • NGOs applying independently
    • NGOs applying with consortium partners
• What sectors does the programme support?
  • Supported sectors include:
    • Climate action
    • Clean energy
    • Sustainable cities
    • Gender equality
    • Healthcare
    • Education
    • Financial inclusion
• What types of blended finance vehicles are supported?
  • The programme supports:
    • Funds
    • Bonds
    • Project finance vehicles
    • Financing facilities
    • Results-based financing mechanisms
• Which countries are eligible?
  • Eligible countries include Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Pacific Island nations, among others.
• What makes a strong application?
  • Strong proposals usually demonstrate:
    • Financial sustainability
    • Strong governance
    • Private capital mobilization potential
    • Clear development impact
    • Gender-responsive design
    • Investor engagement

Conclusion

The Indo-Pacific NGO Blended Finance Accelerator is designed to strengthen NGO participation in blended finance and mobilize private investment for climate action and gender equality across the Indo-Pacific region. Through catalytic grants and technical support, the programme helps NGOs develop scalable financing solutions that generate measurable environmental, social, and development outcomes.

For more information, visit Convergence Blended Finance.